Orders, Decorations and Medals

French Maritime League Medal, being a restrike of the ‘La Marine Florissante’ Medallion, by Jean Mauger, obv. draped bust of Louis XIV right, ‘Lvdovicvs Magnvs Rex Christianiss’, rev. Gallia holding a trident, seated in a chariot, being drawn by a pair of horses across the sea, ‘Splendor rei Navalis’, the field additionally inscribed, ‘Hommage La Ligue Maritime Française a La Ville de Madrid pour son Glorieux Combat 25.6.16’, edge with stamp mark and stamped ‘Argent’, 72mm., silver, ref. C.G.M.P. 212B, edge bruise, good very fine £80-100

The steamship La Ville de Madrid, 1874 tons, was launched in 1880. She was the fifth in a class of 12 ships built for the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (French Line). The Company, founded in 1861, sailed routes from Le Havre and Marseilles to Mexico, New York, the West Indies, Canada and to ports in the Mediterranean. The La Ville de Madrid was employed sailing out of Marseilles to various North African destinations. During the Great War she successfully repelled/evaded submarine attacks on 24 February, 1 March and 25 June 1916 - this feat being recognised by the French Maritime League. She survived the war only to be scrapped in 1921. Sold with some copied research.