THE EARLIEST PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENTAL FLAG PRIVATELY HELD WITH FABULOUS, DOUBLE-CAPTURE, CIVIL WAR HISTORY.

THE EARLIEST PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENTAL FLAG PRIVATELY HELD WITH FABULOUS, DOUBLE-CAPTURE, CIVIL WAR HISTORY. This recently deaccessioned flag from a Pennsylvania museum is pictured in Richard A. Sauer’s wonderful reference, “Advance the Colors: Pennsylvania Civil War Battle Flags”. This flag has been in the possession of the Soldier & Sailors Memorial for close to 100 years. Originally given to the museum by the widow of J. A. Heckert, who was a member of the 54th Pennsylvania Volunteers. This 25-star, silk, Pennsylvania militia flag is fitted in its orig 40” x 55” shadow box. When opened, the flag shows use and loss of stripes along fly edge. Hoist, however, is complete, being about 2” wide and about 47-48” tall. Orig 19th century provenance letter, which accompanies this flag, is written around an engraving of Ulysses S. Grant. Letter of provenance from Mr. Heckert of the 54th reads as follows: “Old Glory. This flag was captured and recaptured during the Civil War between the North and South from 1861 to 1865. The present owner prizes it highly as a relic for which thousands of lives were sacrificed to keep it unsullied. It was captured from a Pennsylvania Regiment by the Confederates during some engagement and taken to Petersburg, Virginia for safe keeping when it was recaptured by a Comrade of my company “C”, 54th PA, Volunteer Regiment after the evacuation of the city by the Confederates in April, 1865. The first Union troops to enter the city was a portion of the 24th Army Corps Commanded by General O. E. C. Ord., of which I was a member. The flag was presented to me by Nelson Meyers in 1869. The Number of the Regiment was defaced when recaptured. But its condition shows that it passed through many hard fought battles as it bears many Honorable marks. J. A. Heckert. 54th PA Vol. Inf. Regt. Author of the Story. Presented to Soldiers Memorial By the Widow Mrs. J. A. Heckert”. 25 stars on this flag date its manufacture between 1832 and 1836. A Pennsylvania Regiment used it during the Civil War, the identity of which is unknown, and it was captured by Confederates. In the spring of 1865, it was liberated from the city of Petersburg by Co. C, 54th Penn. Volunteers, of which J. A. Heckert was a member. This is a fabulous opportunity to own the earliest Pennsylvania military flag in private hands that has such a wonderful Civil War history, being captured by the Confederates and recaptured by the 54th Pennsylvania. CONDITION: Silk has numerous tears. Much of fly end of flag is missing. Canton is intact; however, as can be seen in photographs, several large chips of paint from central device are missing. Painted areas on canton are glued to a backing piece of paper in shadowbox. 8-76214 JS232 (40,000-60,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007

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
	1441	$25,300.00	THE EARLIEST PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENTAL FLAG PRIVATELY HELD WITH FABULOUS, DOUBLE-CAPTURE, CIVIL WAR HISTORY. This recently deaccessioned flag from a Pennsylvania museum is pictured in Richard A. Sauer’s wonderful reference, “Advance the Colors: Pennsylvania Civil War Battle Flags”. This flag has been in the possession of the Soldier & Sailors Memorial for close to 100 years. Originally given to the museum by the widow of J. A. Heckert, who was a member of the 54th Pennsylvania Volunteers. This 25-star, silk, Pennsylvania militia flag is fitted in its orig 40” x 55” shadow box. When opened, the flag shows use and loss of stripes along fly edge. Hoist, however, is complete, being about 2” wide and about 47-48” tall. Orig 19th century provenance letter, which accompanies this flag, is written around an engraving of Ulysses S. Grant. Letter of provenance from Mr. Heckert of the 54th reads as follows: “Old Glory. This flag was captured and recaptured during the Civil War between the North and South from 1861 to 1865. The present owner prizes it highly as a relic for which thousands of lives were sacrificed to keep it unsullied. It was captured from a Pennsylvania Regiment by the Confederates during some engagement and taken to Petersburg, Virginia for safe keeping when it was recaptured by a Comrade of my company “C”, 54th PA, Volunteer Regiment after the evacuation of the city by the Confederates in April, 1865. The first Union troops to enter the city was a portion of the 24th Army Corps Commanded by General O. E. C. Ord., of which I was a member. The flag was presented to me by Nelson Meyers in 1869. The Number of the Regiment was defaced when recaptured. But its condition shows that it passed through many hard fought battles as it bears many Honorable marks. J. A. Heckert. 54th PA Vol. Inf. Regt. Author of the Story. Presented to Soldiers Memorial By the Widow Mrs. J. A. Heckert”. 25 stars on this flag date its manufacture between 1832 and 1836. A Pennsylvania Regiment used it during the Civil War, the identity of which is unknown, and it was captured by Confederates. In the spring of 1865, it was liberated from the city of Petersburg by Co. C, 54th Penn. Volunteers, of which J. A. Heckert was a member. This is a fabulous opportunity to own the earliest Pennsylvania military flag in private hands that has such a wonderful Civil War history, being captured by the Confederates and recaptured by the 54th Pennsylvania. CONDITION: Silk has numerous tears. Much of fly end of flag is missing. Canton is intact; however, as can be seen in photographs, several large chips of paint from central device are missing. Painted areas on canton are glued to a backing piece of paper in shadowbox. 8-76214 JS232 (40,000-60,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007 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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