Austria Empire. An Army Cannon Cross to Franz Mumb von Mühlheim, c.1814

1813-1814 Issue. (Armee-Kanonenkreuz). A gilt bronze cross pattee with a blackened core and a laurel wreath between the arms of the cross; the obverse inscribed “Grati Princps et Patria Franc Imp. Aug.” in Latin script; the reverse inscribed “Europae Libertate Asserta” and dated “MDCCCXIII-MDCCCXIV”; on a broad loop for suspension from its original ribbon - the ribbon is labeled with the recipient’s name - “Franz Mumb von Mühlheim” in black ink; measuring 27.61 mm (w) x 27.31 mm (h); light contact marks from age and wear, with some loss to the original blackened finish; in overall extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Franz Mumb Edler von Mühlheim was born on March 30, 1754 in Chrudim, Kingdom of Bohemia (which became a Crown land of the Austrian Empire in 1804). He joined the military in 1776 as an Officer Cadet in the 44th Infantry Regiment “Erzherzog Albrecht”. Mumb was promoted to Second Lieutenant in 1781, to First Lieutenant in 1788, and to Captain in 1795. At that point, he joined the General Quartermaster Staff where he was promoted to Major in 1799. In December of 1805, Mumb received his promotion to Colonel and became Regiment Commander of Infantry Regiment Hohenlohe-Bartenstein No. 26. The promotion to Major General followed in 1809. Mumb took part in the Battle of Leipzig, commanding a Corps Brigade. In 1817, he was ennobled by Austrian Emperor Franz I and given the attribute “Edler von Mühlheim”. In 1823, he became the Commander of the city of Verona, where a year later he was promoted to Lieutenant Field Marshal. In 1825, the Emperor appointed Mumb second incumbent of Infantry Regiment “Erzherzog Rainer”. Two years later, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Austrian Order of St. George. That same year Mumb also became Commander of the Fortress Temeswar (present-day Timișoara, western Romania), a position he remained in until his death on April 9, 1832. 

This offering is a part of the "Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection", a preeminent assemblage of world Orders, Medals, and Decorations composed solely by Dr.Goodwin between 1946-1967. Dr. Goodwin had a successful career as an educator and prominent physician in New York as well as actively serving in both World Wars with the United States Medical Corps. He acted as both President and Vice-President of the Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA) and is responsible for organizing their first convention in 1960. He maintained further membership with the American Society of Military Collectors, the International Orders Research Society, and the American Numismatic Society. His knowledge and passion for history and awards is evident in this meticulously compiled collection that is now available in its entirety for the first time exclusively on eMedals.com.