Italy, Kingdom. An Order Of St. Maurice And St. Lazarus, V Class Knight, C.1880

(Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro). Established in 1572 by Pope Gregory XIII. A silver gilt badge, consisting of a four-armed cross with three trefoil-ended arms, in white enamelling, each quadrant displaying a bright green enamelled Maltese cross arm with ball finials, reverse mirrors obverse, stamped with boars head mark on reverse of integral suspension ball denoting French manufacture and an 800 silver fineness (1858-1962), measuring 38.5 mm (w) x 44 mm (h - inclusive of integral suspension ball), notable wear to raised points of trefoil-ends on both obverse and reverse, scattered gilt wear, slight crazing on enamels, on mid 20th century ribbon, remains in good condition.

Footnote: The Order was founded when the Order of St. Maurice and the Order of St. Lazarus merged into this order of knighthood. It was founded by Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, and approved by Pope Gregory XIII in 1572. It was primarily awarded to foreign and Italian Catholics who had provided extraordinary military and civil services to the State. 

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.