Bulgaria, Kingdom. An Order Of Civil Merit, Iii Class Commander, C.1900

(Орден за гражданска заслуга). Instituted on 2 August 1891. Type I. 1891-1908 Issue. An enameled white four armed Arrow Cross in silver gilt, with each quadrant embellishing by delicate enameled green oak branches also in silver gilt, suspended by detailed gilded Princely Crown with pleasant enameled details, obverse centre with superposed enameled white cypher backed by nice enameled red background, surrounded by Cyrillic lettering on a white enamel border, reverse with superposed gilded Bulgarian lion, on an enameled red background, encircled by an enameled white border with Cyrillic lettering and the foundation date (1891), measuring 63.48 mm (w) x 98.10 mm (h - inclusive crown suspension), presenting minor gilt loss and cracks on white enamels, suspended by ornamented loop on an original neck ribbon, very good.

Footnote: The Order of Civil Merit was established by Prince Ferdinand I, and it was conferred at the discretion of the Monarch in recognition of exceptional achievements in Bulgarian civil life and society. The Order originally consisted of 6 grades, and the Grand Cross with Grand Cross Breast Star was added to the Order in 1933 by Boris III.

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.