Russia, Imperial. An Order of the White Eagle, Badge and Breast Star with War Decorations, by Eduard, c.1914

 (О́рден Бе́лого Орла́). Instituted 1 November 1705 by Augustus II. Re-instituted 1831 by Tsar Nicholas I. 1908-1916 Issue. A desirable military version of the Order of White Eagle featuring both badge and star, the former in solid Gold, featuring a black enameled double-headed Romanov Imperial Eagle with hand etched detailing, overlaid by a red enamelled Maltese Cross with white borders and ball finials, in turn bearing a Polish-style imperial eagle in Gold with white well executed enamel feathers, reverse with intricate black enameled feathers, overlaid by a red and white enameled MARIA monogram, the heads of the Romanov eagle each bearing a loop accommodating a suspension apparatus in the form of a Gold crown with blue, red, and white enamels, with loop attaching to a suspension ring secured to a screw apparatus, notably featuring crossed swords secured through blue enameled ribbons emanating from the royal crown, maker marked on suspension “Эдуард” (“Eduard”) for the firm of Eduard Ferdinandovich Dietvald, with Cyrillic initials “ВД” for metalsmith V. Dinakov (В. ДИНАКОВ), and a Gold zolotnik mark of “56” with the symbol of the city of St. Petersburg, on the reverse left talon with “Эдуард” and “ВД”, and on the reverse right talon with a Gold zolotnik mark of “56”, measuring 60.49 mm (w) x 95.66 mm (h), weighing 96.8 grams, with enamel loss to blue suspension ribbon and overall contract on both obverse and reverse from wear, on mid 20th Century silk sash, very fine. Accompanied by the star of the order in silver gilt, consisting of an eight-pointed radiant star with ribbed borders, obverse bearing a central applique featuring a red and white enameled Cross Pattée on a gilded background, inside a gilded ring, in turn surrounded by a ring of blue enamel featuring a raised gilt order motto of “PRO FIDE REGE ET LEGE” (“FOR FAITH, KING, AND LAW”), within a final ribbed gilt ring, with crossed swords fixed to the obverse piercing the centre applique, reverse with a barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, maker marked “Эдуард” (“Eduard”), with a silver kokoshnik mark of “84” alongside the symbol of the city of St. Petersburg, with an additional kokoshnik mark on the pinback, measuring 92.86 mm (w) x 95.39 mm (h), weighing 76.2 grams, with minor enamel loss to centre red and white enamels, patina, near extremely 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.