Italy, Kingdom. A Crown Order, V Class Knight, To John Nino Malnati, Maitre D'hotel Of The Biltmore Hotel

(Ordine della Corona d'Italia). Instituted in 1868. In 18K Gold with red, white, blue, green and black enamels, unmarked, weighing 9 grams, measuring 36 mm (w) x 39.5 mm (h) inclusive of its lateral-pierced ball suspension, minor chipping and crazing evident in the white enamels on the reverse of the arm at 3 o'clock, otherwise the enamels are intact, original ribbon, better than very fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, cypher of Vittorio Emanuelle III on the lid, maker marked "CRAVANZOLA Succ. E. Gardino Giotelleria ROMA" on the inside lid, lightly soiled recessed medal bed, scuffing and wear evident on the exterior, case fine. Also included are a Photograph of Malnati in his United States Navy Uniform (black and white, faded to a sepia-toned look, inscribed in black ink "....Nino Malnati / ....to Europe with President Wilson 1919-20" on the reverse, measuring 224 mm (w) x 294 mm (h)); a Biltmore Dinner Program (cover inscribed in running script "Friendly Dinner to Cavaliere John Nino Malnati in testimony of his devotion to Cavaliere Ufficiale / Order of the Crown by His Majesty The King of Italy / Thursday, December the third Nineteen hundred thirty-one / The Biltmore New York", printed in four colour and gold-coloured inks, on a thick card stock, the image of the Order embossed, inside with the sepia-toned photograph of Malnati, the contents including a Menu, The Dais, After Dinner, Committee of Arrangements, List of Dinner Committee Members, measuring 164 mm (w) x 240 mm (h), the back cover panel having separated from the body of the program, the original yellow cord with tassels at either end loose versus the program); along with five Newspaper/Magazine Articles (one in English, four in Italian). Very fine.

Footnote: John Nino Malnati was born on May 29, 1869 in Milan, Italy and was intricately in touch with the hotel business all his life, as his parents conducted one of the picturesque restaurants and wine shops characteristic of that part of Italy. He served the usual apprenticeship and later connected at various times with the best known hotels of Europe, including the Savoy and Cecil in London, and the Palais Royal, Biarritz and the Hermitage in Monte Carlo. Malnati immigrated to the United States in 1909 and was first engaged as a Maitre d'Hotel with the Knickerbocker Hotel in New York. Two years later, he opened the Hotel Sherman in Chicago in a similar capacity, where he would stay for one year, before returning to the Knickerbocker. In 1913, he resigned his position at the Knickerbocker Hotel, in order to become Maitre d'Hotel, restaurant and banquet manager, at the Biltmore Hotel. The Biltmore opened with a New Year's Eve gala in 1913, just before the start of the First World War. It was one of the neo-classical hotels built by the New York Central Railroad as part of the Grand Central Terminal complex, and its celebrated host and ''proprietor'' was Colonel John McEntee Bowman. Colonel Bowman later appointed Malnati as both Maitre d'Hotel and Chief Steward, Malnati internationally renowned for his mastery of menus and all that relates to the culinary arts. Malnati catered to Presidents and Kings and was later promoted to Assistant Manager of the Biltmore. He is associated with President Woodrow Wilson's peace voyage to Europe on the USS George Washington in late 1918-1919. The SS George Washington was an ocean liner built in 1908 for the Bremen-based North German Lloyd and was named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. The ship was also known as USS George Washington (ID-3018) and USAT George Washington in service of the United States Navy and United States Army, respectively, during the First World War. In the interwar period, she reverted to her original name of SS George Washington. At the request of Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels, made to Colonel Bowman, was that Malnati take charge of the service aboard the ship. Malnati's achievement was noted at the time in the National Hotel Review. Bowman also provided Chef Luis Seres of the Biltmore for the voyage. Back in New York, Malnati distinguished himself during the visit of King Albert and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium, again at the request of Daniels. The King requested that he be served "a real American breakfast" and Malnati made it happen. The breakfast consisted of a grapefruit, corn flakes, bacon and eggs, wheat cakes with maple syrup, muffins and coffee. He was later personally decorated by King Albert with a First Class gold medal and made a Commander of the King's Household. His prized souvenirs of service rendered to world notables were bills of fare of the USS George Washington autographed by President Wilson, King Albert, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Leopold. Malnati was awarded the Knight of the Order of the Crown of Italy, which was conferred upon him in 1923 by Vittorio Emanuelle III, in recognition of his services to Italy during the FIrst World War. He died on October 5, 1938 from a heart ailment at his home in Pelham Manor, New York, at the age of 69 and is buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery in Keyport, Monmouth County, New Jersey.