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$147,100 Order of the White Eagle swoops into great Russian medal auction
Morton & Eden's sale last year saw a World Record price for a Russian medal - can they do it again?
It's approaching the time of year again for Morton & Eden to present one of their all too infrequent medals auctions. Previously they've broken records with them, notably with the £1.32m ($2.22m) achieved for a Russian Order of St Andrew sold last summer.
The auctioneer is again offering some fantastic military and other awards from that country in their Russian Coins, Orders, Medals and Decorations auction (which is followed by their British and World Orders and Medals sale).
A substantial part of the sale consists in the Orders Awarded to Edouard de Stoeckl.
De Stoeckl (1804-1892) was born in Constantinople and became a Russian diplomat, serving as Chargé d'Affaires in Washington following the death of the Ambassador Baron Alexander de Bodisco in 1854.
 Order of the White Eagle badge |
In 1857 he was named Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States and he married an American girl, Eliza Howard.
The de Stoeckls' friendly association with many US Government figures stood the Russian Minister in good stead during negotiations for the Alaska Purchase, finally completed in 1867 by de Stoeckl on behalf of Alexander II, and by Secretary of State William H Seward.
Well-rewarded by Alexander II, both financially and with the honours represented in this sale, Baron de Stoeckl retired to Paris with his family in 1869.
One of the key lots is an Order of the White Eagle set of insignia, by Julius Keibel of St Petersburg, dated 1869 on the eagle's claw, which would make an excellent alternative investment given the great strength of the rare medal markets, especially for Russian orders.
 Order of the White Eagle sash badge |
It comprises a beautiful sash badge, in gold and enamels, fully marked on the claws and carrier and a breast star in silver-gilt and enamels, marked on the backplate and brooch-pin. The star has contact marks and some restoration to the enamel but is very fine; with a small piece of original blue sash.
There is also a badge with typical losses to blue enamel on ribbons in good very fine condition. The lot is expected to achieve £70,000-90,000 ($147,100) in the auction which takes place in London on June 10.
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Image: Morton & Eden
