Spain, Napoleonic Kingdom. A Cross For Albuhera, Officer Cross, C.1816

 (Distinción de Albuhera). Instituted 1815. Restoration Period (1815-1833). A bright red-enamelled typical Spanish saltire cross with ball finials in silver, depicting red-enamelled silver flames in the quadrants, suspended from a green-enamelled laurel wreath in silver, obverse centre in silver gilt featuring cyphre of Ferdinand VII on white enamel surrounded by the inscription “Albuhera”, mirrored reverse, with later period (1953) Dutch testing silver mark of fineness 835 on the integral ring, measuring 29.19 mm x 46.40 mm (h - inclusive of integral ring), with loss of green enamels, and minor red enamels loss, accompanied by period ribbon, better than fine.

Footnote: The Cross for Albuhera was established by King Ferdinand VII in 1815, to reward the members of the Estremadura Army, under the command of General Don Xavier de Castaños and Joaquim Blake, who defeated the French Army at Albuhera on May 16, 1811.

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.