This item is part of The Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
A fine example of a 1831-1912 issue Hesse-Darmstadt Ludwigs Order Knight’s Cross First Class (Hessen-Darmstadt Ludwigsorden Ritterkreuz I Klasse); a gold Maltese cross with black and red enamels; the obverse with a central red enameled center applique with the golden royal monogram of Ludwig, surrounded by open ended laurel leaf stems, with a white enameled ring inscribed “Für Verdienste) (German - For Service), with more laurel leaf twigs below; the reverse with a black enameled medallion, inscribed “Gott, Ehre, Vaterland” (German - God, Honour, Fatherland) in golden lettering, surrounded by a white enameled ring with green laurel leaf twigs; suspended from a swivel crown suspension, with a horizontally pierced ball and loop, and with its period original ribbon; measuring 44.26 mm x 74.64 mm; weighing 21.2 grams; single flak to reverse 9 o'clock arm and centre, near 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.

