Imperial Service Order, EVII Cypher, Gentleman issue, silver, gold overlay centre and enamels, housed in its Elkington & Co fitted presentation case. Some 489 awards were made to Gentleman during the reign of King Edward VII. Rare and a superb example of type, with all enamel work intact, and therefore very hard to find.
Condition: enamel work all intact, Extremely Fine, the case lightly scuffed and stained in places.
Instituted by King Edward VII as a means of rewarding long and faithful service in the Administrative and Clerical grades of the Civil Service at home and overseas. Women were admitted to the order in 1908. The award was awarded for at least 25 years service at home, 20 years and 6 months in India, and 16 years in the tropics, but in exceptional cases awards were made for “eminently meritorious service” irrespective of qualifying period. No United Kingdom awards have been made since 1995 but some Commonwealth awards continue to this day. Only 489 awards were made to Gentleman during the reign of King Edward VII.
