IMPORTANT AMERICAN SWALLOWTAIL “BONNIE BLUE” STYLE FLAG.

IMPORTANT AMERICAN SWALLOWTAIL “BONNIE BLUE” STYLE FLAG. This important large military flag appears to have been made during the American Civil War period. All of the attributes, from hand sewn and felled seams to material to hand sewn grommets are characteristic of flags in this time period. The form is identical to the Confederate “Bonnie Blue” style flag or a large U.S. 12th/20th Corps flag being a large dark blue field with a single 5-point white star in the center, with the exception of the fact that is has a swallow-tail fly end. Perhaps an anomaly, perhaps a pre-war manifestation of this popular design and style, this is, nonetheless an important American military flag of historical significance. The flag measures 4.5’ in hoist and 8.5’ in fly (to the tip of the swallowtail). The field is of three joined length of bunting. The large white star, which is hand sewn to appear on both sides through a cut-out, measures stands 28” h. The star is of white cotton, the remainder of the flag is of dark blue wool bunting except for the canvas reinforced hoist. This period cotton reinforcement has two hand sewn grommets at top and bottom.

I hesitate to pronounce this incredible flag “Confederate” without a formal analysis or further information, however, it is clear that this is of the form so widely used by many pre-war southern states as well as flags unofficially adopted by several Confederate states during the American Civil War. Its construction is early-second quarter of the 19th century and most certainly is either a rare southern survivor, an early flag from the 2nd Division 12th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, or 2nd Division 20th Corps, Army of the Cumberland. CONDITION: Very good. Colors are strong, there is a slight spot of, what appears to be, bleaching near the central star. The tips of the swallowtail fly end are frayed with some losses. The white star is now a bit stained as is the canvas hoist. A magnificent display. 4-49169 CW (5,000-9,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2003

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	544B.	$0.00	IMPORTANT AMERICAN SWALLOWTAIL “BONNIE BLUE” STYLE FLAG. This important large military flag appears to have been made during the American Civil War period. All of the attributes, from hand sewn and felled seams to material to hand sewn grommets are characteristic of flags in this time period. The form is identical to the Confederate “Bonnie Blue” style flag or a large U.S. 12th/20th Corps flag being a large dark blue field with a single 5-point white star in the center, with the exception of the fact that is has a swallow-tail fly end. Perhaps an anomaly, perhaps a pre-war manifestation of this popular design and style, this is, nonetheless an important American military flag of historical significance. The flag measures 4.5’ in hoist and 8.5’ in fly (to the tip of the swallowtail). The field is of three joined length of bunting. The large white star, which is hand sewn to appear on both sides through a cut-out, measures stands 28” h. The star is of white cotton, the remainder of the flag is of dark blue wool bunting except for the canvas reinforced hoist. This period cotton reinforcement has two hand sewn grommets at top and bottom. I hesitate to pronounce this incredible flag “Confederate” without a formal analysis or further information, however, it is clear that this is of the form so widely used by many pre-war southern states as well as flags unofficially adopted by several Confederate states during the American Civil War. Its construction is early-second quarter of the 19th century and most certainly is either a rare southern survivor, an early flag from the 2nd Division 12th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, or 2nd Division 20th Corps, Army of the Cumberland. CONDITION: Very good. Colors are strong, there is a slight spot of, what appears to be, bleaching near the central star. The tips of the swallowtail fly end are frayed with some losses. The white star is now a bit stained as is the canvas hoist. A magnificent display. 4-49169 CW (5,000-9,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2003 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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