ITALIAN MEDALS AWARDED TO CESARE SABELLI An important set of three medals and one medallion awarded to Cesare Sabelli following his transatlantic flight on May 14-15, 1934. Although he failed to reach his intended destination of Rome, instead being forced-down in Ireland, Sabelli repaired his aircraft and continued the journey, to be received as a hero and became the first Italian to fly across the Atlantic. We offer Sabelli's three Order of the Crown of Italy (Ordine della Corona d'Italia) badges and medals (items not shown to scale). Established by King Victor Emmanuel II on 20 February 1868 to commemorate the Italian unification, the Order was awarded for civilian and military merit. The badge of the Order, 2" wide, is a gilt cross with curved edges, enameled in white, with the so-called Savoy knots between the arms of the cross. The obverse central disc featured the Iron Crown (as appeared on the Austrian Order of the Iron Crown) on a blue enamel background. The reverse central disc had a black-enameled eagle bearing the coat-of-arms of Italy on a golden background. The star of the Grand Officer (Sabelli's honor) is a 3" dia. eight-pointed faceted silver star with ball tips at each point, and with the obverse of the badge superimposed upon it with gold filigree and white enamel. There is also a much smaller medal, about 1/2" wide, worn on unofficial occasions. The medals are contained within the original red leather case bearing King Victor Emmanuel III's initials and crown. Also included is a bronze medallion picturing a government building (City Hall?) and etched with Sabelli's name and dated June 13, 1934, two days after his arrival in Rome. Presented in its original case, with a photo of the Governor of Rome presenting Sabelli with the medallion. The lot also includes a cloth pennant, 15" x 7 1/2" with a gold and off-white cross design and embroidered serpent eating a human figure. Verso bears a crowned eagle with "ACI against a field of blue, surrounded by a gold border. Also sold with an ornate document 10 1/2" x 14 1/2" (framed to 18"" x 22" overall) issuing the medals to Sabelli and naming him Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown in honor of his "transatlantic flight", issued in the name of King Victor Emmanuel III. Six pieces total. $600-800