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CONFEDERATE 1ST NATIONAL FLAG ("STARS & BARS") RE

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:12,500.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 38,000.00 USD
CONFEDERATE 1ST NATIONAL FLAG ( STARS & BARS ) RE
CONFEDERATE 1ST NATIONAL FLAG ("STARS & BARS") REPORTED AS CAPTURED FROM THE BILOXI (MISSISSIPPI) COURT HOUSE IN 1861. All cotton, all machine sewn, thirteen star variant of the 1st National flag of the Confederate States of America, contemporaneously called the "Stars & Bars". 37" hoist by 75-3/4" fly field is composed of three horizontal bars from the top- red (12-1/2" wide)-white (10-3/4" wide)- and red (12-1"2) wide. The final 9" of the lowest bar is pieced vertically. Inset into the upper, hoist corner is a faded,, dark blue canton. 24" on the hoist by 26" on the fly, bearing twelve, white, 5-pointed stars set in a 17-1/2" to 18 1/2" diameter circle around a center star, 5" across its points, all machine sewn to the canton. A blue cotton sleeve, 1-1/2" wide when flat, is sewn along the leading edge of the flag, probably for a cord to attach the flag to a staff or halyard. According to a label appended to the frame: "This flag was found in an old coffee can inside the vault of the Hancock County Courthouse that was being demolished to make way for construction of a new facility". The label further states: "This First National Flag flew on the Biloxi, Mississippi Courthouse. It was captured by vile, Yankee, invading forces during the capture of Biloxi. The flag was later returned to the local SCV. It was repaired by a ladies group in the area. This flag served the Biloxi SCV for many years. This flag is pictured in Beauvoir during an SCV reunion with President Jefferson Davis just before his death". CONDITION: Flag is framed flat for display. Four large oil stains appear in the red bars half way to the fly edge, possibly transferred from the coffee can in which the flag was claimed to have been found (folded) when the Hancock County Court House was demolished. Several horizontal splits and tears are evident in the lower bar from mid-way below the canton to the middle of the flag caused by dry rot. Still in very good condition for its age; canton is faded. Ex-Adamson collection with letter of authenticity from Les Jensen. 4-56311 HMM (25,000-38,000)