Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Edwardian Imperial Service Order awarded to Richard Stephens, Clerk of Works at the Asylum for Criminal Lunatics at Broadmoor

The Imperial Service Order, E.VII.R., silver, gold and enamels, in its fitted Elkington & Co. case of issue, extremely fine £300-340

Sold with the recipient’s original I.S.O. warrant, dated 27 May 1903 and signed by the King, in its red scroll box.

First known as the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, the hospital was built to a design of Sir Joshua Webb, an officer of the Royal Engineers, and covered 53 acres. The original plan of five blocks for men and one for women was completed in 1868 but a further block for men was added in 1902, the year before Clerk of Works Richard Stephen was awarded his I.S.O.