United States. An Order of Founders and Patriots of America Membership Badge in Gold, c.1897

A superb badge in gold with red, white and blue enamels, weighing 37.2 grams inclusive of its ribbon and hanger, 45.7 mm (w) x 48 mm (h), clasp inscribed "ACTIVE SERVICE WAR WITH SPAIN" affixed to its original ribbon, suspended from a Gold pinback hanger maker marked "B.B&B PHILA." (Bailey, Banks & Biddle, Philadelphia), patent marked ""PAT. MAR. 9-1897"" and name engraved in italic capitals "DAVID BANKS PLUM / No 378." on the reverse of the hanger, intact enamels, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of the Founders and Patriots of America (OFPA) is a highly restrictive, United States-based, hereditary fraternal organization whose self-declared purpose is to collect and preserve records related to the original American colonists and their descendants, and to promote camaraderie among descendants of original colonists. Its strict bloodline mandates and small size (currently slightly more than 1,000 members), has earned it a reputation as the most exclusive lineage society in the United States. However, unlike the Society of the Cincinnati, membership eligibility does not descend through family lines by order of agnatic primogeniture, meaning more than one member of the same family can simultaneously hold membership. David Banks Plum was born in Troy, New York on October 7, 1869, the son of Fred A. Plum and Mary S. (Fowler) Plum. His education was acquired in the local public schools, and after completing his education, he joined the mercantile firm of Starkweather & Allen, where he served as a Clerk for eight years. In 1897, Plum became associated with the Troy "Record," in the capacity of Collector, and from this position was advanced from time to time, until he filled all positions in the Business Department. He married Harriet L. Barnes, daughter of Albert J. Barnes and Hannah C. (Bigelow) Barnes, on March 30, 1898 in Troy. He was made a Director of the "Record" in 1901, and served as General Manager and Treasurer beginning in 1915. A practical man of broad ability and keen foresight, with a keen appreciation of the educational value of the daily newspaper, Plum was a leading factor in the development of the ""Record"" to its prominence in the newspaper world. He was a Director and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Bureau of Advertising of the American Newspaper Publishers' Association, and was a director of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Among the local industrial activities, Plum was affiliated as a Director with the J.B. Carr-Woodhouse Company, Incorporated, and was its President, Treasurer, was a Director of the Averill Park Company, and also was a Director of the Troy Trust Company. The public life of the community always commanded the interest and aid of David Banks Plum, and as a loyal Republican, he was well known in Rensselaer County, but never accepted the honors or responsibilities of public office. For ten years he served in the 6th Separate Company, Troy Citizens' Corps, and served as First Sergeant of Company A, 2nd Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, in the Spanish-American War. Fraternally he was identified with Mount Zion Lodge, No. 311, Free and Accepted Masons; the Society of Colonial Wars; the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America; and the Sons of the Revolution. His clubs included the Troy, the Van Schaick Island Country, and the North Woods, and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Troy, of which he was a Trustee.

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.