United States. A General Society Of Mayflower Descendants Membership Badge, C.1897

In Gold, weighing 10.7 grams inclusive of its ribbon and hanger, obverse illustrating the Pilgrim ship, Mayflower, sailing upon the waves, framed by a floral wreath, with a ribbon banner at the base inscribed ""1620 PLYMOUTH 1897"", reverse engraved ""Minerva Lester Power 1090 9074"" and maker marked ""J.E.C. & CO"" (J.E. Caldwell), surrounded by the inscription ""GENERAL SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDANTS, framed by a floral wreath, with a bow-tied ribbon at the base, measuring 27 mm (w) x 29.8 mm (h), original ribbon suspended from a Gold hanger with pinback, extremely fine.

Footnote: The General Society of Mayflower Descendants, commonly called the Mayflower Society, is a hereditary organization of individuals who have documented their descent from one or more of the 102 passengers who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Society was founded at Plymouth in 1897. A primary goal of the Society is to educate the public about the role of the Pilgrims in the early history of what would later become the United States of America. There are Mayflower societies in all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Canada. Today, it is estimated that up to tens of millions of Americans have at least one ancestor who was among this group of early settlers. 

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.