This is an extremely scare, and seldom found on the market, British Commander of the Royal Victorian Order with tailored neck cravat that remains in excellent condition. The white enamel obverse is in perfect condition and without damage. The blue enamel border of the central oval that bears the floral design at the top and “Victoria” at the bottom is completely intact and without damage. The interlocked gold letters “VRI” are firmly affixed to the radiated red enameled center and both are without damage. The regal crown above the oval retains all of the enameled red and green “jewels” and exhibits gorgeous detail. The cravat is in excellent condition and with two hand sewn buttonholes at either end for fastening under the collar so that the order can hang centered at the throat. It is in excellent condition, without damage and retaining vivid color. The reverse of this order is incised with the letter and number designation “C 56” which makes it one of the earliest awards and in all probability presented by Queen Victoria herself prior to 1900. On 21 April 1896 Queen Victoria established the Royal Victorian Order as a junior and personal order of knighthood that allowed her to bestow directly to an empire-wide community honors for personal services. The organization was founded a year preceding Victoria's Diamond Jubilee so as to give the Queen time to complete a list of first inductees. The order's official day was made 20 June of each year, marking the anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne. This is a superb example and an early award of this most prestigious British order and one that is in completely original and un altered condition.