Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
hand-sewn cotton flag, 52" x 118". With eleven white sewn-through stars configured in ring on blue canton. The fly is constructed of three cotton bars, with a 5" x 7.5" red patch hand stitched in the lower-left corner of the bottom bar. Based upon the dimensional ratio, construction, and materials, this flag was made early in the war. A letter of authenticity written by Howard Madaus accompanies the flag.
Rarely are Confederate flags with such good provenance and history as this one offered. Five United Confederate Veteran letters are included with this flag, which mention its possible donation to the Museum of the Confederacy (MOC) in 1896, its organizational year. The MOC has transcripts of this letter in their archives as well as the original letter, of which we have a pencil copy. In its collection, the MOC has the flagstaff, which cannot be located, and the silk square battle flag that belonged to Gustavus Smith.
In his notes, Howard Madaus states that this was probably General Smith's headquarter flag in Virginia in 1861. General Smith probably would have had this flag in his possession during his last appointment near Savannah, Georgia between 1864 and 1865. General Gustavus Smith (1821-1896) was born in Kentucky and graduated from West Point prior to the Mexican War, where he saw service. Smith was also an instructor at West Point. Smith was commissioned Major General in the Confederate Army in September 1861. He commanded a brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia during the Peninsula Campaign. He commanded the entire army for a portion of the battle of Seven Pines after General Joseph E. Johnston was wounded. It is believed that this flag would have accompanied General Smith during this campaign. General Smith served as a secretary of war for the Confederacy during November of 1862. He resigned early in 1863, but was appointed Major General of the Georgia Militia. He organized Georgia State forces and led troops during the Atlanta Campaign.
This is a fine flag with vibrant colors that will display beautifully, as well as great history and provenance. Confederate cotton flags are scarce and generally are much better preserved than their silk counterparts.
Condition: The heading and probably about 2" of the leading edge of the flag have been torn away; the heading was probably of white canvas, about 2" wide, serving as a sleeve; a tear in upper right left corner and upper right portion of canton; some scattered holes in the fly; some toning to stars and white bar; some soiling to flag.
Auction Location:
6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
Previewing Details:
Tuesday, June 23, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, June 24 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| Ohio |
5.5% |
Ohio State Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
17.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
ADVICE TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Cowan's will not ship any package containing a firearm to any location other than within the United States. Buyers outside the United States must make their own shipping arrangements taking full risk for the transportation of any firearm.
Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial.
Payment Details:
The purchase price for each lot shall equal the hammer price, buyer's premium, sales tax and, if applicable, all packing, handling, insurance and shipping costs. Payment may be made with cash, personal or traveler's check, Visa or MasterCard.
Buyers who are present at the auction must pay the full purchase price at the time of the sale. Buyers who bid by telephone or who are absentee bidders will be invoiced within 5 days after the close of the auction and must pay the full purchase price for each purchased lot within 14 days after the date of the auction. By signing the absentee bid form or placing an absentee bid by telephone, an absentee bidder authorizes Cowan's to charge the purchase price (hammer price, plus buyer's premium) for each lot for which such bidder is the successful bidder to the credit card number provided by telephone or on the absentee bid form, unless payment in full or alternative payment instruction is received within 14 days after the date of the auction. No property will be released by Cowan's unless the purchase price has been paid in full.
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12) BUYER'S RESPONSIBILITY
Upon the fall of the hammer, title to the offered lot shall pass to the buyer and the buyer immediately assumes full risk and responsibility for the lot, including liability for loss or damage.
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The purchase price for each lot shall equal the hammer price, buyer's premium, sales tax and, if applicable, all packing, handling, insurance and shipping costs. Payment may be made with cash, personal or traveler's check, Visa or MasterCard.
Buyers who are present at the auction must pay the full purchase price at the time of the sale. Buyers who bid by telephone or who are absentee bidders will be invoiced within 5 days after the close of the auction and must pay the full purchase price for each purchased lot within 14 days after the date of the auction. By signing the absentee bid form or placing an absentee bid by telephone, an absentee bidder authorizes Cowan's to charge the purchase price (hammer price, plus buyer's premium) for each lot for which such bidder is the successful bidder to the credit card number provided by telephone or on the absentee bid form, unless payment in full or alternative payment instruction is received within 14 days after the date of the auction. No property will be released by Cowan's unless the purchase price has been paid in full.
Institutional billing may be available, and should be arranged prior to the auction.
14) SALES TAX
Buyers are required to pay any applicable state and local sales tax.
15) SHIPPING
Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
ADVICE TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Cowan's will not ship any package containing a firearm to any location other than within the United States. Buyers outside the United States must make their own shipping arrangements taking full risk for the transportation of any firearm.
16) SHIPPING CHARGES
Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial.
17) REMOVAL AND STORAGE OF PROPERTY
If purchased property has not been removed, or Cowan's has not received shipping instructions within 21 days after the auction date, a $10 per item per day storage fee may be charged to the buyer.
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If purchased property remains in the custody of Cowan's for a period of 60 days following the auction, Cowan's may, at its option, cancel the sale, retaining as liquidated damages any payments made by the buyer, or resell the property at auction or by any other commercially reasonable means, and in such event, buyer shall be liable for the payment of all of Cowan's costs, including but not limited to storage and costs of sale.