LOT Burley Auction Group  /  TEXAS RANCH ESTATE AUCTION  / 

74

Texas Cavalry Confederate Civil War Flag

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Texas Cavalry Confederate Civil War Flag
All items sold as is where is. See photos for condition, email info@burleyauction.com or call 830-629-9280 (Prior to sale day) if you have specific condition questions.

NON-VEHICLES 20%BP In-house (25% online). VEHICLES 10%BP In-house (15%BP online). Buyer is responsible for tax, title and license fees in addition to purchase price and buyer's premium. All motor vehicles sold as is, where is.

Winning bidders will receive an invoice on or before end-of-day Wednesday following the auction.
Authentic Confederate Texas Civil War Cavalry flag. Circa 1861-1865. Flag measures 21" x 34.5", and is framed in display case.

Conservation Report by Heritage Conservation, LLC, Christiansburg, VA. February 2, 2014.
Description: Size: Leading edge: 18”, Fly 34”
This flag is constructed in the pattern of a Texas state flag with a full height vertical blue canton on the leading edge side of the flag. The canton contains a single, five pointed star appliqued to both sides of the canton. The fly contains two horizontal bars, a white on the top and a red on the bottom. The leading edge has a ¾” wide heading with a hand sewn eyelet at the top and bottom. The fly has a ¼” hem around the perimeter that has been turned to the reverse. On the obverse side of the flag, a 2-1/2” gold colored bullion has been applied to the hem.

Method of Construction:
1. The red and white bars were cut to size and flat fell seamed together on their long side.
2. The blue canton was cut to size and seamed vertically to the red and white bars using 3 ply S white cotton thread.
3. The top and bottom hems were sewn by turning the fabric under to the reverse then whip stitching the edge in place. The fly end was then hemmed in the same manner using the 3ply S white cotton thread.
4. A strip of brown linen fabric was folded around the leading edge, the edges on each side turned under giving a finished edge. Then, the obverse and reverse side were sewn at the same time with one row of 2 ply S linen thread using a running stitch the entire length of the heading.
5. A grommet was hand sewn into the heading at the top and bottom with a heavier 2 ply S thread.
6. Two stars were cut out of a plain woven white cotton fabric. They were attached to both sides of the canton. During attachment, the cut edges of the stars were turned under and the fabric whip stitched to the canton around the perimeter. A 3 ply S cotton thread was used.
7. The bullion was attached to the perimeter of the flag by laying it on the obverse side of the flag. It was fixed in place with one row of running stitches using a tan 2 ply S linen thread.
Condition: The flag is intact as originally constructed except for one repair to insect damage at the fly end of the red bar. The red bar has five, about 1 inch, areas of insect damage with about a dozen minor lessor areas. There are some areas of minor damage to the wool element of the blue canton with the largest area being in the lower leading edge corner. The white bar has some ten small areas of insect damage mostly toward the canton. The soiling to the flag is most apparent on the obverse side in the white bar and obverse star. The fabrics do not appear distorted. The grommets show very minor wear, if any. Several individual strands of bullion are missing, with many others being bent or kinked.
Results of examination: The flag is intact as originally constructed with no apparent alterations except for the above mentioned repair. The repair thread was a 3 ply Z red cotton. The red fabric is a wool/silk blend with 60 yarns/inch and 44 yarns/inch. The white fabric is a wool/silk blend with 32 and 46 yarns/inch. The blue fabric is a cotton/wool blend, 32 and 44 yarns/inch. The leading edge is a linen fabric, plain woven with 38 and 36 yarns/inch. The bullion was constructed of plated metal in a manner commonly found on bullion available in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Conclusion: After a thorough examination of the provenance, materials and construction of this flag, as well as a comparison of these materials with previous examinations of documented period flags, it is my opinion, as a Textile Conservator, that this is a Texas flag dating from the Civil War era.
The blended materials used in this flag are not typically used in flag construction, but they are typical for dress material. They are likely not domestically produced, but rather imported from Europe through a port such as Galveston. The conversion of actual dresses, and the use of dress making material for flags is well documented.
The construction of the flag indicates the maker was knowledgeable and experienced in flag construction techniques. The hem around the perimeter of the fly and the application of the weighty bullion suggest the flag was made for ceremonial or presentation use. It was common for ladies of the period to make flags for units in appreciation for service.
Conservation and framing: The later repair threads were removed. The flag was washed in one cycle of distilled water followed by two cycles with Orvus Paste to remove the organic soiling. The flag was then rinsed in two cycles of distilled water.
The flag was laid flat, the fibers re-aligned and then air dried. A backing was prepared of synthetic batting covered with plain cotton muslin all over gator board. Similar weave and color wool fabrics were placed on the backing to mask insect losses. The flag was placed on the backing and pressure mounted, using ¼ acrylic bolted around the perimeter to the gator board. All treatments, save for the washing, are completely reversible. The flag was framed in a custom museum grade aluminum frame with a UV resistant OP3 glazing on the outside. Despite the UV protection, it is strongly advised to never allow direct sunlight to contact the flag.
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