Sweden, Kingdom. An Order Of Vasa, Collar Grand Cross, C.1950

(Kungliga Vasaorden). Instituted 1772 by King Gustav III. Type II (1866-1975). A rarely offered and desirable Collar of the order with a total of well proportioned silver gilt 16 links, composing of four tied sheaves (House of Vasa’s emblem) with finely enameled blue and white ropes, together with four enameled white and red heraldic symbol of the nettle leaves (House of Holstein’s coat of arms), interlinked with eight additional crowned shields with typical Sweden’s three golden crowns on an enameled blue background, the shields flanked by two caduceus on the top and two cornucopias on the bottom symbolizing trade and agriculture respectively, the reverse of each link is plain, in addition each link is separated via three small looped chain links on the top and three longer looped links on the bottom, measuring 73 cm of length, light contact, with a central loop hook and eye clasp at the ends to enclose, overall extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The Order of Vasa was founded by King Gustav III on May 29, 1772 to recognize services rendered to the state that did not merit the Order of the Seraphim or the Order of the Northern Star. It was founded as egalitarian order, without restriction of noble birth, two decades before of the French Revolution. It has not been conferred since 1975. The Grand Cross was worn on a sash or on a collar; the latter was wore in recognition of foreigners as a special distinction. 

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.