Bavaria. An Order of Military Merit, Third Class Knight with Swords, c.1915

1905-1918 issue. (Militärverdienstorden Kreuz 3. Klasse mit Schwertern); A silver gilt Maltese cross with four arms in blue enamels, and with silver gilt flames between the arms of the cross; the obverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a gold crowned cipher of King Ludwig III within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt with gold letters reading “Merenti” (Latin - “Merit”); the reverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a gold crowned Bavarian lion within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt with gold numbers reading “1866”; suspended from a structure composed of arabesques with crossed silver gilt swords, and on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon - with a collector’s tag attached to the ribbon; unmarked; measuring 40.12 mm (w) x 47.498 mm (h); weighing 26.2 grams; the enamels without chips or cracks of any kind, with approximately 95% of its original gilt remaining; in overall better than extremely fine condition. 

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.