LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Civil War Auction #674  / 

72305

LET ME GO ! - I WISH TO JOIN MY REGIMENT ! - HIS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:10,500.00 USD Estimated At:22,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
LET ME GO ! - I WISH TO JOIN MY REGIMENT ! - HIS
<B>CONFEDERATE HOSPITAL FLAG, LET ME GO ! - I WISH TO JOIN MY REGIMENT ! - HIS DYING WORDS, GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA 1863.</B></I> is the remarkable gilt painted legend on this Confederate flag displayed in the main ward of the Confederate hospital in Greeneville, S. C. 1862 - 1865, presented by the Ladies Aid Society of Greeneville. Really as touching a Confederate artifact as we’ve ever encountered. The flag was purchased in 1959 by a noted South Carolina historian, from a direct descendant of one of the women who made the flag. Original letters of lineage and provenance are included, including a 1999 letter of provenance form noted flag expert Howard Madeus. Interestingly, included with Mr. Madeus’s documentation is a copy of a bill from Lewis L. Montague in Richmond dated 27 October 1863 for painting lettering on four flags for the “Jackson Hospital”. The flag is constructed of blue silk and is 17” on the hoist and 24” on the fly, of the 2d national pattern. The flag is bound with 3/8” white silk, which also outlines the field. The cross in the field is formed with stitched ¾” red silk, and the ½” five pointed stars are fabricated of gilt painted paper and separately affixed. The gilt painted paper palmetto tree at the upper left is also separately. The flag is, of course entirely hand stitched. The gilt painted legend is expertly painted directly onto the blue silk. The flag has been archivally framed for presentation with the inclusion of an inscribed brass plaque which reads “This banner was made from a silk dress in 1862 by members of the Greenville Ladies Aid Association. It hung in the main ward of the Confederate Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina until 1865”. Striking in its appearance, this flag graphically characterizes the sentiments of most of men who received care at the hospital with many of these men being wound multiple times. A wonderful Confederate patriotic flag with impeccable provenance.<BR><BR><B>CONDITION:</B></I> The flag was obviously very well cared for over the years as a cherished relic and is in exceptional condition. Very sound with just a few scattered small holes, really very minor. Four of the thirteen stars on the St. Andrews Cross in the field are missing but the shadow where they were attached is quite distinct, detracting little. There are a couple of small holes on the white border at the side where the flag was obviously folded for many years and a few small cracks in the blue silk along this fold, again very minor. Overall the flag is in superb condition.<BR><BR>This flag has been carefully examined by authoritative in-house experts and has been deemed to be authentic and of the period in every respect including fabric, thread, dye and the method and pattern of construction. Additionally, any accompanying provenance has been verified as unique and indigenous to the specific flag it documents.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Framed - with Glass, Medium (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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