EARLIEST AND MOST IMPORTANT CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL RIBBON KNOWN AND A WRITTEN HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY.

The “Ladies Memorial Association” of Columbus GA decorated the graves of Confederate soldiers at Linwood Cemetery Columbus GA on April 26, 1866. The hand made silk ribbon emblazoned with a Confederate battle flag on a cruciform staff was thought to be worn on that date by Ms. Lizzie Rutherford. Ms. Rutherford married Captain Roswell Ellis of the Columbus Guards in 1868 and died in 1872. She was however the first proponent for Confederate Memorial day which was published in a text accompanying this lot framed with her ribbon telling the story. The United Daughters of the Confederacy post in Columbus that published this book was named in her honor the Lizzie Rutherford Chapter, UDC. Framed with the original “LADIES MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION” Columbus GA ribbon is a 5 page facsimile letter written by Varina Jefferson-Davis where she reiterates the story of the original 1866 Memorial Day and seeks all Confederate states to establish it. Indeed every southern state did adopt April 26th as Confederate Memorial Day. Tennessee called this day Confederate Decoration Day and Texas called it Confederate Hero’s Day. Confederate Memorial Day is still a holiday in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and North Carolina though dates have been changed. State government offices are closed on this date though federal organizations remain open and do not celebrate Confederate memorial day. Along with this framed grouping is an early 9 page manuscript giving Ms Rutherford’s biography, this display is accompanied by a display board with a portion of Varina Jefferson Davis’ letter stating the origin of Confederate Memorial day with 2 facsimiles of April 26th 1866 photographs of the original Ladies Memorial Association celebrating the first Confederate Memorial Day. SIZE: 24″ h x 26″ l. PROVENANCE: From the Greene Museum of Southern History. CONDITION: Ribbon as framed is frayed and has small reductions on left side however text and image are fine with good colors. Memorial day book appears fine as framed and 9 page letter is very good and complete. 9-28001 (800-1,200) – Lot 1391

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - February 2015

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
	1391	$2,370.00	EARLIEST AND MOST IMPORTANT CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL RIBBON KNOWN AND A WRITTEN HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY. The “Ladies Memorial Association” of Columbus GA decorated the graves of Confederate soldiers at Linwood Cemetery Columbus GA on April 26, 1866. The hand made silk ribbon emblazoned with a Confederate battle flag on a cruciform staff was thought to be worn on that date by Ms. Lizzie Rutherford. Ms. Rutherford married Captain Roswell Ellis of the Columbus Guards in 1868 and died in 1872. She was however the first proponent for Confederate Memorial day which was published in a text accompanying this lot framed with her ribbon telling the story. The United Daughters of the Confederacy post in Columbus that published this book was named in her honor the Lizzie Rutherford Chapter, UDC. Framed with the original “LADIES MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION” Columbus GA ribbon is a 5 page facsimile letter written by Varina Jefferson-Davis where she reiterates the story of the original 1866 Memorial Day and seeks all Confederate states to establish it. Indeed every southern state did adopt April 26th as Confederate Memorial Day. Tennessee called this day Confederate Decoration Day and Texas called it Confederate Hero’s Day. Confederate Memorial Day is still a holiday in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and North Carolina though dates have been changed. State government offices are closed on this date though federal organizations remain open and do not celebrate Confederate memorial day. Along with this framed grouping is an early 9 page manuscript giving Ms Rutherford’s biography, this display is accompanied by a display board with a portion of Varina Jefferson Davis’ letter stating the origin of Confederate Memorial day with 2 facsimiles of April 26th 1866 photographs of the original Ladies Memorial Association celebrating the first Confederate Memorial Day. SIZE: 24″ h x 26″ l. PROVENANCE: From the Greene Museum of Southern History. CONDITION: Ribbon as framed is frayed and has small reductions on left side however text and image are fine with good colors. Memorial day book appears fine as framed and 9 page letter is very good and complete. 9-28001 (800-1,200) – Lot 1391 Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - February 2015 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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EARLIEST AND MOST IMPORTANT CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL RIBBON KNOWN AND A WRITTEN HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY.