The Order of Cincinnati
Gardiner, Asa Bird. THE ORDER OF THE CINCINNATI IN FRANCE ("L'ORDRE DE CINCINNATUS."), ITS ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY: WITH THE MILITARY OR NAVAL RECORDS OF THE FRENCH MEMBERS WHO BECAME SUCH BY REASON OF QUALIFYING SERVICE IN THE ARMY OR NAVY OF FRANCE OR OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION FOR AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. Newport: Published by the Rhode Island State Society of the Cincinnati, 1905. Thin 4to, original white cloth, upper cover paneled in blue and lettered in gilt; spine ruled and lettered in gilt; top page edges gilt. Frontispiece portrait of George Washington; xii, (4), 243, (1) pages; superb illustration of the Order in bold relief printed in colors and golden metallic tint; 17 additional portrait plates. Near fine. Number 178 of a limited edition of 350 copies, signed by George W. Olney of the Publication Committee. A handsome production, "prepared wholly from official sources." Provided for the first time is "a record of the Order in France and a Roster of the eminent French Cincinnati, whose public services illumined their country's history at a most interesting and eventful epoch and added to the renown of the illustrious Military Society of which they were members." An important work, filled with valuable historical information and biographical details of the members, including nearly 40 pages on "Original Members of the Society of the Cincinnati in France from the American Army." Seldom encountered. A member of the Society of the Cincinnati, Dr. William Holland Wilmer (1863–1936), was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and was decorated with the French Legion of Honor in the first world war. A noted ophthalmologist, in 1925 he founded the Wilmer Institute of Ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University. Ex Kolbe Sale 101, lot 678.