RARE AND HISTORIC CONFEDERATE BOAT FLAG OF THE “CSS TEASER”.

The “CSS Teaser” was present alongside the “CSS Virginia” at the famous “BATTLE OF THE IRONCLADS” at Hampton Roads, VA in March of 1862. This is a regulation Confederate boat flag which measures 34″ on hoist and 53″ on fly. This was most likely the flag flown at this historic naval battle as the flag was captured just a few months later, on July 4, 1862 near Harrison’s Landing on the James River. . The crew abandoned the ship, struck the colors and met up with elements of Cobb’s Legion, an elite Confederate mounted unit. Company A of Cobb’s Legion, the “Richmond Hussars”, retained the flag and Captain J. W. Clark of the Hussar’s loaned the flag along with four other flags of Cobb’s Legion to the Maryland Line Confederate Soldiers Home in Pikesville, MD. The Teaser’s flag remained there until the death of the last two residents in the 1920’s. Mathias Tunis was the last caretaker at the veteran’s home and he gave the flag to his daughter who gave the flag to Margaret J. Manke who donated the flag to the Fall River Historical Society in 1975 where it remained until deaccessed in 1998. A brief history of the Teaser as edited from on-line sources: “Teaser, an 80′ boat armed with two cannon was orig purchased by the State of Virginia in 1861, she was assigned to the naval forces in the James River with Lieutenant James Henry Rochelle, Virginia State Navy, in command. Upon the secession of Virginia, Teaser became a part of the Confederate States Navy and continued to operate in Virginia waters. With Lieutenant William A. Webb, CSN, in command, she took an active part in the Battle of Hampton Roads on March 8–March 9, 1862, acting as tender to CSS Virginia. She received the thanks of the Congress of the Confederate States for this action. Teaser was a pioneer “aircraft carrier”, serving as a base for an observation hot air balloon; she also became a pioneer minelayer when ordered on June 17, 1862, to assist General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Under Lieutenant Hunter Davidson, CSN, she was used by the Confederate Naval Submarine Battery Service to plant and service “torpedoes” (mines) in the James River. While engaging USS Maratanza at Haxall’s on the James on July 4, 1862, a Union shell blew up Teaser’s boiler and forced her crew to abandon ship. When seized by Maratanza, Teaser was carrying on board a balloon for aerial reconnaissance of Union positions at City Point and Harrison’s Landing. Ship was repaired and became USS Teaser for remainder of war” and was reconverted to commercial use until 1878. PROVENANCE: CSS Teaser, Captain J. W. Clark, 1900, Mathias Tunis 1920, Elizabeth Tunis Colwill, Margaret J. Manke 1953, Fall River Historical Society, Hot Springs, SD 1975, Sarah Anderson 1998. CONDITION: Flag is very good to fine as conserved. Accompanying conservation report states that insect damage accounted for reductions in the wool bunting of 15-20%. Insect damage occurred when stored at the Fall River County (Pioneer) Museum after its donation in 1975. Apart from the moth damage, fibers are still strong, supple with bright colors as can be seen in photos. Ink markings on hoist are all discernible (CSS Teaser….5 Ft). Custom aluminum, archival museum-style frame with pressure mounted, UV protective plexiglass is excellent. Frame is 63″ x 42-1/2″ and 3″ deep. Interested parties should read the extensive conservation report and the excellent accompanying report by flag historian Greg Biggs. 4-54462 JS (20,000-40,000) – Lot 1404

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Auction: Firearms - March 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
	1404	$37,375.00	RARE AND HISTORIC CONFEDERATE BOAT FLAG OF THE “CSS TEASER”. The “CSS Teaser” was present alongside the “CSS Virginia” at the famous “BATTLE OF THE IRONCLADS” at Hampton Roads, VA in March of 1862. This is a regulation Confederate boat flag which measures 34″ on hoist and 53″ on fly. This was most likely the flag flown at this historic naval battle as the flag was captured just a few months later, on July 4, 1862 near Harrison’s Landing on the James River. . The crew abandoned the ship, struck the colors and met up with elements of Cobb’s Legion, an elite Confederate mounted unit. Company A of Cobb’s Legion, the “Richmond Hussars”, retained the flag and Captain J. W. Clark of the Hussar’s loaned the flag along with four other flags of Cobb’s Legion to the Maryland Line Confederate Soldiers Home in Pikesville, MD. The Teaser’s flag remained there until the death of the last two residents in the 1920’s. Mathias Tunis was the last caretaker at the veteran’s home and he gave the flag to his daughter who gave the flag to Margaret J. Manke who donated the flag to the Fall River Historical Society in 1975 where it remained until deaccessed in 1998. A brief history of the Teaser as edited from on-line sources: “Teaser, an 80′ boat armed with two cannon was orig purchased by the State of Virginia in 1861, she was assigned to the naval forces in the James River with Lieutenant James Henry Rochelle, Virginia State Navy, in command. Upon the secession of Virginia, Teaser became a part of the Confederate States Navy and continued to operate in Virginia waters. With Lieutenant William A. Webb, CSN, in command, she took an active part in the Battle of Hampton Roads on March 8–March 9, 1862, acting as tender to CSS Virginia. She received the thanks of the Congress of the Confederate States for this action. Teaser was a pioneer “aircraft carrier”, serving as a base for an observation hot air balloon; she also became a pioneer minelayer when ordered on June 17, 1862, to assist General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Under Lieutenant Hunter Davidson, CSN, she was used by the Confederate Naval Submarine Battery Service to plant and service “torpedoes” (mines) in the James River. While engaging USS Maratanza at Haxall’s on the James on July 4, 1862, a Union shell blew up Teaser’s boiler and forced her crew to abandon ship. When seized by Maratanza, Teaser was carrying on board a balloon for aerial reconnaissance of Union positions at City Point and Harrison’s Landing. Ship was repaired and became USS Teaser for remainder of war” and was reconverted to commercial use until 1878. PROVENANCE: CSS Teaser, Captain J. W. Clark, 1900, Mathias Tunis 1920, Elizabeth Tunis Colwill, Margaret J. Manke 1953, Fall River Historical Society, Hot Springs, SD 1975, Sarah Anderson 1998. CONDITION: Flag is very good to fine as conserved. Accompanying conservation report states that insect damage accounted for reductions in the wool bunting of 15-20%. Insect damage occurred when stored at the Fall River County (Pioneer) Museum after its donation in 1975. Apart from the moth damage, fibers are still strong, supple with bright colors as can be seen in photos. Ink markings on hoist are all discernible (CSS Teaser….5 Ft). Custom aluminum, archival museum-style frame with pressure mounted, UV protective plexiglass is excellent. Frame is 63″ x 42-1/2″ and 3″ deep. Interested parties should read the extensive conservation report and the excellent accompanying report by flag historian Greg Biggs. 4-54462 JS (20,000-40,000) – Lot 1404 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 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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RARE AND HISTORIC CONFEDERATE BOAT FLAG OF THE “CSS TEASER”.