China, Japanese Occupied Manchukuo. An Order Of The Auspicious Clouds, First Class, C.1940

(幸先の良い雲の秩). Instituted 1934. 1934-1945 Issue. A first class set consisting of impressive four-pointed yellow and white enameled Ray Cross in silver gilt, with blue enameled Chinese Thunder Clouds on a black enameled background in each quadrant, obverse centre also in silver gilt exhibiting a yellow enameled centre encircled by a translucent red enameled ring, featuring a plain reverse also in silver gilt, suspended by an Imperial orchid crest with yellow enameled petals, featuring Japanese characters on the reverse standing for “Order of Merit Decoration”, integral knob suspension marked with mintmark M of the Osaka Mint, measuring 70.52 mm (w) x 108.06 mm (h - inclusive on knob suspension), extremely fine.

Accompanied by the star of the order consisting of an eight-pointed faceted star in silver, with a superposed yellow and white enameled four armed cross with blue enameled Chinese Thunder Clouds in each quadrant both, obverse centre featuring a yellow enameled centre surrounded by a translucent red enameled ring, reverse with pin assembly and dual stays, engraved by Japanese characters standing for “Order of Merit Decoration”, measuring 92.72 mm (w) x 93.10 mm (h), with cracking to centre, otherwise very fine. Contained within original case of issue, typical black lacquering with balsum wood framing, with gilded Japanese characters on the exterior lid with Imperial orchid, with cracking and lacquer loss, fair/good.

Footnote: The Order of the Auspicious Clouds was established together with the higher orders by Imperial Edict No. 1 March 1, 1934. It consisted on eight classes, and is the exact equivalent of the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun. It is known as well as Order of the Prosperous Clouds.

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.