Germany, Imperial. An Extensive First War Period Combatants Medal Bar

(Bandschnalle). This is an extensive First War period medal and order bar, featuring twelve decorations, including a 1914 Iron Cross Second Class, presenting as a Cross Pattée, constructed of a blackened magnetic iron core with a ribbed silver frame, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, obverse with central raised monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm II, with a Prussian royal crown on the upper arm and reinstitution date of “1914” on the lower arm, reverse with central raised oak leaves, with monogram of Kaiser Friedrich Wilhelm III and Prussian royal crown on the upper arm, with initial institution date of “1813” on the lower arm, unmarked, measuring 43.16 mm (w) x 48.25 mm (h) (inclusive of suspension, in near extremely fine condition; a House Order of Hohenzollern, constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Rupert Cross with black and white enameled arms, with a central applique depicting an enameled Prussian imperial eagle clutching an orb and sceptre, overlaid with stylized oak leaves and a shield of black and white enamels, with its head circumscribed by a raised inscription featuring the Order motto “VOM FELS ZUM MEER” (“FROM THE CLIFFS TO THE SEA”)”, the reverse with a central royal monogram on a white enameled field, surrounded by a blue enameled ring with a gilt inscription of “DEN 18 JANUAR 1851”, with green enameled oak leaves between the quadrants of the cross and crossed swords piercing the centre, on a loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, measuring 39.36 mm (w) x 58.73 mm (h) (inclusive of suspension), in near extremely fine condition; a Bavarian Military Merit Cross, IV Class with Swords, consisting of a silver Maltese Cross with blue enameled arms, with flames between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a silver crowned cipher of King Ludwig III within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt with silver letters reading “MERENTI” (“MERIT”), the reverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a silver crowned Bavarian lion rampant within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt, dated “1866”, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 41.29 mm (w) x 50.58 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; a Saxon War Merit Cross, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 34.77 mm (w) x 45.34, in very fine condition; a Friedrich August Cross, constructed of blackened bronze, unmarked, measuring 38.68 mm (w) x 44.33 mm (h), in very fine condition; a Mecklenburg-Schwerin Military Merit Cross, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 41.48 mm (w) x 46.20 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition; an Order of the Zähringer Lion, consisting of a Cross Pattée with green glass arms, set within a silver frame, with silver arabesques joining the quadrant of each arm, the obverse with central painted medallion depicting the remains of Zähringen Castle, the obverse with silver arms and central medallion depicting a silvered Zähringer lion rampant on a red enameled background, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 40.07 mm (w) x 43.07 mm, in near extremely fine condition; a Württemburg Merit Cross with Swords, constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 31.40 mm (w) x 35.58 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition; a Hesse Bravery Medal, constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, measuring 33.33 mm in diameter, in very fine condition; an Austrian Military Merit Cross, constructed of silvered bronze with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with white and red enameled arms, with laurel leaves joining the quadrants of the cross, the obverse with a central applique with raised inscription of “VERDIENST” (“SERVICE”) inside a red enameled ring, the reverse plain, measuring 30.96 mm (w) x 36.30 mm (h) inclusive of suspension, in very fine condition; a Teutonic Order Marian Cross, constructed of silvered bronze with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Latin Cross with black and white enameled arms, with central red enameled Geneva Cross surrounding by a black enameled ring inscribed “ORDO TEUT HUMANITATI” (“TEUTONIC HUMANITARIAN ORDER”), reverse with central white enameled applique with date of “1871”, unmarked, measuring 34.82 mm (w) x 44.70 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition, and; a Bulgarian Order of Military Merit, constructed of silver, on a hollow crown loop suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Pisan Cross, the centre pierced by crossed swords, the obverse with a central medallion depicting a royal monogram surrounded by an inscription of “ЗА ВОЕННА ЗАСЛУГА” (“FOR MILITARY MERIT”), the reverse with a Bulgarian royal lion rampant and date of “1891”, unmarked, measuring 45.86 mm (w) x 75.13 mm (h), in very fine condition; set on a 225 mm-long magnetic metal bar with horizontal pinback, unmarked, in near extremely fine condition.

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.