Italy, Kingdom. A Colonial Order Of The Star Of Italy In Gold, Commander, C.1914

(Ordine coloniale della Stella d'Italia). Instituted in 1868, revised in 1911. A Gold five armed white enameled cross with ball finials, obverse centre presenting the initials VE (Victor Emmanuel) on red enameled background, green enamel surround with revision date of 1911, centre reverse with AL MERITO COLONIALE in Gold on red background, marked ""B"" on the obverse of the elongated loop and on 12 o'clock arm, measuring 53.3 mm (w) x 77 mm (h- inclusive of its crown suspension), crazing and enamel loss evident in the red enamels on the reverse, on its original full-length neck ribbon, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Colonial Order of the Star of Italy was founded as a colonial order of knighthood on June 18, 1914 by King Victor Emmanuel III, to reward soldiers deployed to the colony of Libya. The order had fallen into abeyance by 1943, when Allied forces conquered the colonies of Italian North Africa.

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.