LOT OF VERY IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC ITEMS RELATING TO ADMIRAL OF THE NAVY, GEORGE DEWEY.

LOT OF VERY IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC ITEMS RELATING TO ADMIRAL OF THE NAVY, GEORGE DEWEY. This lot consists of the Admiral’s flagship flag, which is 13’ long x approx. 10’ wide, with four 5-point white stars which are approximately 22” in diameter. Two of the stars are mounted parallel in the longitudinal center of the flag and are machine sewn. The other two stars are mounted vertically in the center of the flag and are hand sewn. In 1898, George Dewey was a Commodore and after the Battle of Manila was promoted to Rear Admiral (2 stars). This flag was the personal flag of Rear Admiral Dewey and used aboard his flag ship, Olympia. About four months later by Act of Congress, Admiral Dewey was promoted to Full Admiral (4 stars) and designated “Admiral of the Navy”. This designation differs from the previous and only two Civil War 4-Star Admirals who were “Admirals in the Navy”. The Act of Congress promoting Dewey stated that as an “Admiral of the Navy”, the appointment was for life or until the officer chose to resign the commission. Admiral Dewey was the first and only 4-Star Admiral from the end of the Civil War until WWII. Admiral Dewey’s career began during the Civil War when he was a junior officer serving under Admiral Farragut, one of the Civil War 4-Star Admirals. Admiral Dewey retained this rank and designation until his death in 1917. At the time of his promotion to 4-Star rank, Admiral Dewey was still overseas and apparently no official 4-Star flag was available. So a sail maker or tailor on the Olympia hand stitched the two additional stars onto the flag as we see it today. Admiral Dewey flew this flag from the Olympia on his triumphal return to the United States where he was presented with Admiral Farragut’s flag and this flag retired. This flag currently appears to be black in color with the stars very stained and severely deteriorated. Behind two of the stars, which are in tatters, is the original color of the flag which is navy blue. The entire flag body was probably navy blue, but given that the Olympia was a coal burner it apparently became soot stained and turned black. The longitudinal seams in the flag are hand sewn and the end binding is of heavier canvas bunting with a braided 3/8” rope piping sewn in the edge. One edge of the canvas binding is stenciled “R.A. No. 1”, apparently referring to Rear Admiral No. 1. The entire flag is extremely delicate and in need of preservation. The canvas binding and all the other fabric are very weak and easily torn. Two of the stars have almost disintegrated and the end of the flag is extremely tattered and torn. This flag and a group of other flags were purchased by Bannerman’s from a Navy surplus auction at the Boston Navy Yard in June 1900 and remained in Bannerman’s collection until December 1972 when it was sold, along with other Olympia flags, to George Starke, who in turn sold it to the consignor. Included with the flag is the original placard that was on the wall with the flag at Bannerman’s. Mr. Stark said he removed it when he purchased the flag in 1972. Accompanying this flag is a fine watercolor painting, 14-1/2” x 14”, image of an older Admiral Dewey in uniform with medals and chapeau. The painting is signed “S.Cruset”. The artist War Sebastian Cruset, 1859-1943. He was well known in the New York area and was best known for city landscapes. The Admiral’s image is in an oval surrounded by patriotic bunting and a laurel wreath. It is matted and nicely framed and the colors are bright and vivid. Also accompanying is a black and white photograph of Admiral Dewey, 5-1/2” x 4”, which depicts the Admiral in uniform seated in a wicker chair, annotated “Admiral Dewey 1899”. This picture was a complimentary item from The Great American Tea Company. Also included is a framed metal bust of Admiral Dewey, cast in gray metal and nicely framed in a period frame. Additionally included is a framed color litho with 11” x 9” vertical image of a 19th century sailor holding a cutlass and pistol, standing in front of the American flag, entitled “Standing by His Colors’. There is a black and white image of Admiral Dewey in the upper left hand corner. It is copyrighted “1898”. It is nicely double matted and framed and the colors are vivid and bright. Also included is a binder of documents including a letter dated May 23, 1900 from the General Storekeeper’s Office, U.S. Navy Yard, Boston, Mass. advising someone (Frank Bannerman) of the auction sale of flags from the flag ship Olympia on June 5, 1900; the auction catalogue from that sale of condemned stores with the hand annotation on the cover “Olympia Flag Purchase”. There is a small note from the Boston Navy Yard dated June 13, 1900 advising successful bids. There is also letter from the Boston Navy Yard dated June 25, 1900 advising (Bannerman’s) of their successful purchase of several lots in the auction. The original bill of sale from Bannerman’s to George Stark dated 12-1-72 selling six flags including “1 Admiral’s cutter flag, Olympia”. There is a cropped cover of a July 1907 Bannerman’s catalogue and a page from that catalogue describing this flag and stating that it has been in their museum and is not for sale; a copy of a letter from Frank Bannerman to the Superintendent of the Naval Academy dated February 7, 1935. He inquires about Admiral Dewey’s battle flag that was presented to the Naval Academy and mentions the 4-Star flag that has been in his possession for over thirty years; a letter dated 8 February 1935 from Rear Admiral D.F. Sellers, Superintendent of the Naval Academy, to Mr. Frank Bannerman stating that the battle flag presented to the Naval Academy was not Admiral Dewey’s personal flag. He goes on to describe Admiral Dewey’s succession of promotions and states that Bannerman’s flag’s authenticity cannot be questioned. Also a small color print of Admiral Dewey in uniform aboard his ship; a copy of Harper’s Weekly dated March 11, 1899 with Admiral Dewey on the cover; a book “The Life and Achievements of Admiral Dewey” by Murat Halstead. The spine is loose, otherwise the pages are yellowed but fine; One additional item accompanies which is a very early mahogany dovetailed chest, in old stain 25-1/4” long x 10-7/8” wide x 8-3/8” deep. It has been relined with blue felt and has an old brass lock. Fine, with numerous small nicks and scratches. 4-47787 JR776 (17,500-27,500)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 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
	564S.	$10,062.00	LOT OF VERY IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC ITEMS RELATING TO ADMIRAL OF THE NAVY, GEORGE DEWEY. This lot consists of the Admiral’s flagship flag, which is 13’ long x approx. 10’ wide, with four 5-point white stars which are approximately 22” in diameter. Two of the stars are mounted parallel in the longitudinal center of the flag and are machine sewn. The other two stars are mounted vertically in the center of the flag and are hand sewn. In 1898, George Dewey was a Commodore and after the Battle of Manila was promoted to Rear Admiral (2 stars). This flag was the personal flag of Rear Admiral Dewey and used aboard his flag ship, Olympia. About four months later by Act of Congress, Admiral Dewey was promoted to Full Admiral (4 stars) and designated “Admiral of the Navy”. This designation differs from the previous and only two Civil War 4-Star Admirals who were “Admirals in the Navy”. The Act of Congress promoting Dewey stated that as an “Admiral of the Navy”, the appointment was for life or until the officer chose to resign the commission. Admiral Dewey was the first and only 4-Star Admiral from the end of the Civil War until WWII. Admiral Dewey’s career began during the Civil War when he was a junior officer serving under Admiral Farragut, one of the Civil War 4-Star Admirals. Admiral Dewey retained this rank and designation until his death in 1917. At the time of his promotion to 4-Star rank, Admiral Dewey was still overseas and apparently no official 4-Star flag was available. So a sail maker or tailor on the Olympia hand stitched the two additional stars onto the flag as we see it today. Admiral Dewey flew this flag from the Olympia on his triumphal return to the United States where he was presented with Admiral Farragut’s flag and this flag retired. This flag currently appears to be black in color with the stars very stained and severely deteriorated. Behind two of the stars, which are in tatters, is the original color of the flag which is navy blue. The entire flag body was probably navy blue, but given that the Olympia was a coal burner it apparently became soot stained and turned black. The longitudinal seams in the flag are hand sewn and the end binding is of heavier canvas bunting with a braided 3/8” rope piping sewn in the edge. One edge of the canvas binding is stenciled “R.A. No. 1”, apparently referring to Rear Admiral No. 1. The entire flag is extremely delicate and in need of preservation. The canvas binding and all the other fabric are very weak and easily torn. Two of the stars have almost disintegrated and the end of the flag is extremely tattered and torn. This flag and a group of other flags were purchased by Bannerman’s from a Navy surplus auction at the Boston Navy Yard in June 1900 and remained in Bannerman’s collection until December 1972 when it was sold, along with other Olympia flags, to George Starke, who in turn sold it to the consignor. Included with the flag is the original placard that was on the wall with the flag at Bannerman’s. Mr. Stark said he removed it when he purchased the flag in 1972. Accompanying this flag is a fine watercolor painting, 14-1/2” x 14”, image of an older Admiral Dewey in uniform with medals and chapeau. The painting is signed “S.Cruset”. The artist War Sebastian Cruset, 1859-1943. He was well known in the New York area and was best known for city landscapes. The Admiral’s image is in an oval surrounded by patriotic bunting and a laurel wreath. It is matted and nicely framed and the colors are bright and vivid. Also accompanying is a black and white photograph of Admiral Dewey, 5-1/2” x 4”, which depicts the Admiral in uniform seated in a wicker chair, annotated “Admiral Dewey 1899”. This picture was a complimentary item from The Great American Tea Company. Also included is a framed metal bust of Admiral Dewey, cast in gray metal and nicely framed in a period frame. Additionally included is a framed color litho with 11” x 9” vertical image of a 19th century sailor holding a cutlass and pistol, standing in front of the American flag, entitled “Standing by His Colors’. There is a black and white image of Admiral Dewey in the upper left hand corner. It is copyrighted “1898”. It is nicely double matted and framed and the colors are vivid and bright. Also included is a binder of documents including a letter dated May 23, 1900 from the General Storekeeper’s Office, U.S. Navy Yard, Boston, Mass. advising someone (Frank Bannerman) of the auction sale of flags from the flag ship Olympia on June 5, 1900; the auction catalogue from that sale of condemned stores with the hand annotation on the cover “Olympia Flag Purchase”. There is a small note from the Boston Navy Yard dated June 13, 1900 advising successful bids. There is also letter from the Boston Navy Yard dated June 25, 1900 advising (Bannerman’s) of their successful purchase of several lots in the auction. The original bill of sale from Bannerman’s to George Stark dated 12-1-72 selling six flags including “1 Admiral’s cutter flag, Olympia”. There is a cropped cover of a July 1907 Bannerman’s catalogue and a page from that catalogue describing this flag and stating that it has been in their museum and is not for sale; a copy of a letter from Frank Bannerman to the Superintendent of the Naval Academy dated February 7, 1935. He inquires about Admiral Dewey’s battle flag that was presented to the Naval Academy and mentions the 4-Star flag that has been in his possession for over thirty years; a letter dated 8 February 1935 from Rear Admiral D.F. Sellers, Superintendent of the Naval Academy, to Mr. Frank Bannerman stating that the battle flag presented to the Naval Academy was not Admiral Dewey’s personal flag. He goes on to describe Admiral Dewey’s succession of promotions and states that Bannerman’s flag’s authenticity cannot be questioned. Also a small color print of Admiral Dewey in uniform aboard his ship; a copy of Harper’s Weekly dated March 11, 1899 with Admiral Dewey on the cover; a book “The Life and Achievements of Admiral Dewey” by Murat Halstead. The spine is loose, otherwise the pages are yellowed but fine; One additional item accompanies which is a very early mahogany dovetailed chest, in old stain 25-1/4” long x 10-7/8” wide x 8-3/8” deep. It has been relined with blue felt and has an old brass lock. Fine, with numerous small nicks and scratches. 4-47787 JR776 (17,500-27,500) Auction: Firearms - Spring 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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