This item is part of The Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
(Ordre Royal et Militaire de Saint-Louis)). Instituted on 5 April 1693 by King Louis XIV. Type VII 1830 to 1852 Louis Phillipe and II Empire Period. A silver gilt Maltese cross with white enameled borders and large fleurs-de-lys in each quadrant, obverse centre presenting an oval medallion with the enameled effigy of St. Louis wearing a gold breastplate and royal mantle, bearing a wreath of laurel in his right hand and a crown of thorns in his left, on a background of red enamel encircled by a band of blue enamel inscribed LUDOVICUS MAGNUS INSTITUIT 1693” (“LOUIS THE GREAT INSTITUTED 1693”), reverse featuring a fiery sword against a wreath of laurel with ribbon tied around the sword over a red background, encircled by a blue enamel band inscribed “BELLICAE VIRTUTIS PRAEMIUM” (“REWARD OF WARTIME VALOUR”), silver hallmark of a boar’s head on the upper fleurs-de-lys denoting French manufacture post 1838, measures 49.31 mm (w) x 60.03 mm (h), with enamel contact and minor loss, nice patina, on mid 20th Century red silk sash, very fine. Accompanied by the Star of the order, in silver gilt Maltese Cross with large fleurs-de-lys in each quadrant, obverse centre presents an enameled effigy of St. Louis wearing a gold breastplate and royal mantle, bearing a wreath of laurel in his right hand and a crown of thorns in his left, on a background of red enamel encircled by a border of stylized oak leaves and designs, the reverse shows a vertical pinback, hallmarked on pin with a boar head denoting post 1838 French silver manufacture as well as an indecipherable hallmark, measures 65.69 mm (w) x 65.92 mm (h), with minor enamel wear on St. Louis’s mantle, very fine.
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.