The Imperial Austrian Military Order of Maria Theresa awarded to Major-General Sir Frederick Adam by His Majesty the Emperor of Austria on 8 October 1815, ‘in testimony of…(his) services and conduct, particularly in the late Battles fought in the Netherlands’ – namely, at the Battle of Waterloo, comprising: Austria, Empire, Military Order of Maria Theresa, Knight’s breast badge, awarded in 1815, in gold and enamels, with suspension loop, 40mm (including suspension) x 28.5mm width, with original segment of ribbon as worn, slight crazing and small marks to obverse, tiny chips to reverse enamel at central of wreath, very fine and scarce As recorded in ‘The Several Foreign Orders of Knighthood etc.’ by Nicholas Carlisle, the Duke of Wellington sent two official dispatches from his Headquarters in Paris, on 2 August and 8 October, 1815, listing the General Officers who were to receive the Order of Maria Theresa from the Emperor of Austria. In the second of these dispatches was listed Major-General Sir Frederick Adam - this example one of just 25 Knight’s badges awarded to high-ranking British officers after the Battle of Waterloo (with two Commander’s crosses issued). Together with this award came the title of Baron in Austria, considered equivalent to the award of the Knight Bachelor in Britain and in Europe.

Estimate: GBP 10000 - 15000