Bidspirit auction | Three Knights of Pythias Fraternal

Three Knights of Pythias Fraternal Medals and Shield Pin Belonging to Clifford Voll - A trio of vintage Knights of Pythias fraternal memorabilia including two ribbon badges and one metal shield pendant, all associated with Clifford Voll of Cleveland, Ohio. Both medals feature tricolor silk ribbons in blue, yellow, and red. The first medal includes a paper name card inscribed Clifford Voll and gold-colored text on the ribbon denoting the 84th Annual Convention Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias of Ohio, Cleveland, Sept. 16-17-18, 1953. The second medal has a printed nameplate for Clifford Voll Cleveland and ribbon text for the Knights of Pythias Convention Sept. 23-24-25, 1946 Cleveland, Ohio Sesquicentennial 1796-1946. Both ribbon medals feature gold-tone pendants with a relief of a knight’s helmet over a shield enameled with the letters F, C, and B, representing the order's principles of Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence. The reverse of the two ribbon pendants bears three stamped marks. The central circular mark reads BASTIAN BROS. CO. ROCHESTER NY around a central shield containing the letters MPB and PIU. The flanking circular stamps include a stylized square emblem on the left and I.P.E.U. with a number 9 over a wreath on the right. The third item is a gray metal shield pin featuring a knight’s helmet and axes in relief with an enameled FCB shield on the front and an incised, gold-painted letter W on the reverse. The ribbon medals each measure approximately 4.5 inches in total length. The metal shield pin measures approximately 1.5 inches in height. These antique items show signs of age and handling consistent with their period. The 1953 nameplate shows paper loss and adhesive residue (photo 2). The ribbons exhibit visible fraying along the edges and surface staining (photos 1 and 2). Metal components on all three items show oxidation, surface wear, and loss of original finish (photos 1 and 4). The reverse of the gray shield pin shows wear to the gold-painted letter W (photo 8).