This item is part of The Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
(Wisam al-Imtiaz-i-Rafidain). A Royal Order of El Rafidain. Instituted 1922. Civil Division. Badge of the order consisting of seven silver gilt arms with red enamels, each with ball finials, with ornate white and green enameled laurels in each quadrant, obverse centre applique presenting the Iraqi Crown on a blue enameled background, white enameled surround with gilt lettering ‘al-Mamlaka al-Iraqiah; Hub al-Watan min al-Iman’ (The Kingdom of Iraq; Love of the Motherland is Faith’), reverse centre in silver gilt with inscribed medallion encircled by white enamel surround, with silver gilt laurel suspension, measuring 64 mm (w) x 90 mm (h - inclusive of laurels and horizontally pierced integral ball suspension), on original full length sash, with minor enamel contact and light cracking to arms, otherwise very fine. Accompanied by the star of the order, in typical French style, consisting of a silver gilt seven armed multi rayed star, with obverse centre mounted a seven armed red enameled silver gilt cross, with green and white enameled laurels laced between quadrants, centre presents the Iraqi Crown, encircled by motto ‘al-Mamlaka al-Iraqiah; Hub al-Watan min al-Iman’ (The Kingdom of Iraq; Love of the Motherland is Faith’), reverse with dual stays and strong pin assembly, well maker marked Arthrus Bertrand, Paris, measuring 90.4 mm (w) x 89 mm (h), with minor enamel contact to centre and slight loss to arms, near extremely fine. Carfully housed in original case of issue, wooden framed and wrapped in marron leather, exterior lid embossed in Gold, interior lid maker marked for Arthus Bertrand, Paris, with wear and water damage, fair 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.