Bulgaria, Kingdom. An Order Of St. Alexander, Iv Class Officer With Swords Case

(Орден "Свети Александър"). Instituted in 1881. Hardshelled design on both the lid and base, wooden-framed, the exterior with a red checkered diamond pattern on the lid and dimpled on the remaining five sides, the lid bearing the Bulgarian lion and inscribed "ОРДЕНЪ / СВ.АЛЕКСАНДРЪ / IV. СТЕПЕН / С МЕЧОВЕ ОТГОРЕ" in gold-coloured ink, inside lid lined in white satin and padded, a white cardboard insert placed within the base and housing a white felt recessed medal bed, single clasp closure, measuring 65 mm (w) x 130 mm (h) x 27.5 mm (d), extensive wear evident on the exterior, light soiling on the inside lid lining and the medal bed, wear in the fabric overlying the hinged area and exposing the wooden framework, fair to fine.

Footnote: The Order of St Alexander was the second highest Bulgarian order during the Kingdom of Bulgaria. It was established by Knyaz Alexander I with a decree on December 25, 1881, named in honour of the patron saint of Alexander Battenberg. Initially it was planned to have five grades and a necklace but subsequently four grades and grand and lesser Necklace were formed, with a Grand Cross being added in 1908. In time, wartime grades with swords in the middle and above the cross were added. The order was awarded to Bulgarian and foreign citizens with the personal benevolence of the Bulgarian monarch, who was the Grand Master.