United Kingdom. An Order Of Victoria And Albert, Iii Class Badge, By J. Ronca, C.1890

An ornately carved Carnelian cameo with facing-left silhouettes of Queen Victoria and King Albert, in a frame of Gold with 20 pearls pointed by four genuine old-cut diamonds encrusting in each cardinal point, surmounted by a Royal Crown in genuine diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, mounted on original ribbon with pinback, measuring 32.71 mm (w) x 62.27 mm (h - inclusive of crown and integral ring), weighting 30.1 grams, cameo engraved RONCA for James Ronca (1826-1910) of Chelsea, with light contact from wear, better than very fine. Together with case of issue with oyster shell-shaped in brown, interior lid in blue silk with faded maker’s label in yellow lettering, recessed medal bed in blue satin with central catch, measuring the extremes: 129 mm (l) x 160 mm (w) x 35 mm (h), presenting worn edges and light contact, functionally push-button, overall very fine and extremely rare.

Footnote: The Royal Order of Victoria and Albert was established by Queen Victoria on February 10, 1862. The Order was personally conferred, in four classes according to the rank of the recipient, by Queen Victoria upon female members of the royal family. The Order ceased to be awarded upon the death of Queen Victoria and became obsolete in 1981. Particularly, the III Class award, such as the example offer here, was presented to the Mistress of the Robes and Ladies of the Bedchamber.

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.