United Kingdom. A Most Honourable Order Of The Bath, Knight Grand Cross (Kgc), Military Division Case

Instituted in 1725. Hardshelled design on both the lid and base with a dark brown leather pebbled exterior on all sides, wooden-framed, the inside lid lined in light green satin, padded and maker marked "R & S. GARRARD & Co. Goldsmiths & Jewellers TO THE CROWN 25 HAYMARKET LONDON" with a crown, the lining exhibiting the impression of the once present breast star, a white fabric-wrapped cardboard insert placed within the base, the base lined in white satin, raised platform in light green felt with a recessed medal bed for the badge and a slotted medal bed for the breast star, dual-hinged, discreet push release closure under the leather covering, measuring 155 mm (w) x 275 mm (h) x 49 mm (d), wear and light soiling evident on the exterior, with the leather worn in some corners on the base and lid thereby exposing the underlying wooden frame, light soiling on the light green satin lining of the lid with the inked impression of the breast star present, the light green felt on the raised platform soiled throughout, fine.

Footnote: The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on May 18, 1725. The name derives from the elaborate medieval ceremony for appointing a knight, which involved bathing (as a symbol of purification) as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as "Knights of the Bath". George I "erected the Knights of the Bath into a regular Military Order". He did not (as is commonly believed) revive the Order of the Bath, since it had never previously existed as an Order, in the sense of a body of knights who were governed by a set of statutes and whose numbers were replenished when vacancies occurred. The Order consists of the Sovereign (currently Queen Elizabeth II); the Great Master (currently The Prince of Wales); and three Classes of members: Knight Grand Cross (GCB) or Dame Grand Cross (GCB); Knight Commander (KCB) or Dame Commander (DCB); and Companion (CB). Members belong to either the Civil or the Military Division. Prior to 1815, the order had only a single class, Knight Companion (KB), which no longer exists. Recipients of the Order are now usually senior military officers or senior civil servants. Commonwealth citizens who are not subjects of the Queen and foreign nationals may be made Honorary Members. The Order of the Bath is the fourth-most senior of the British Orders of Chivalry, after The Most Noble Order of the Garter, The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, and The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick (dormant). 

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.