LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 Dec Signature Civil War Auction #642  / 

25435

Ellsworth Group Including Flag Fragment

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,125.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 5,500.00 USD
Ellsworth Group Including Flag Fragment
<B>Important Colonel Elmer Ellsworth Group</B></I> consisting of an antique framed collection of relics and a Sheffield side knife that belonged to the colonel. A late 19th century wooden frame, 7.5" x 9.5", houses a 1" x 2" flag swatch, a .5" x .75" silver of oil cloth and a gem-sized albumen print. These items are placed above an explanatory inscription reading, "<I>A piece if the rebel flag which the hero Ellsworth sacrificed his life for in taking it down from the Marshall House, Alexandria and a piece of the blood stained oil cloth upon which he fell when shot. Also a photograph of Brownell who shot the rebel assassin. B.F. Jerome</B></I>". The flag fragment, being blue, indicates that it was cut from the canton of Jackson's First National Confederate banner. Light even browning on paper items, else fine condition; Sheffield side knife with leather sheath, 8.5" long overall with 4.75" blade. Mother-of-pearl hilt having inlaid German silver panel engraved ELLSWORTH. All affixed to German silver crossguard over a steel blade stamped with obscure maker's name and SHEFFIELD. The sheath has a German silver throat and has an early label inscribed, "<I>this belonged to Col Ellsworth.</B></I> The blade is missing its very tip, light rusting and wear to sheath. Overall very good condition. Yankee troops first entered the Confederacy proper at Alexandria, Virginia on May 24, 1861 counting on an easy jaunt down to Richmond. The dashing Elmer Ellsworth and his New York Fire Zouaves of the 11th NY Volunteers were among the invading forces. Ellsworth, while removing a Confederate flag from the Marshall House, was shot dead by James Jackson, the proprietor. Jackson was in turn gunned down by Private Francis Brownell. The Northern public made Ellsworth a martyr, Jackson a villain and Brownell a hero. The flag that started it all ended up in President Lincoln's possession since he had been a great champion of Ellsworth's.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Small Collectibles (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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