REGIMENTAL FLANK MARKER OF THE 6TH NEW YORK INFANTRY (“BILLY WILSON ZOUAVES”), 1861.

REGIMENTAL FLANK MARKER OF THE 6TH NEW YORK INFANTRY (“BILLY WILSON ZOUAVES”), 1861. One of a pair of flags to mark and identify the location of each flank of a regiment when drawn up in line of battle. This particular flag was presented to the 6th Regiment NY Vol. Inf. (nicknamed the “Billy Wilson Zouaves)” as a part of a stand (set) of colors consisting of two blue silk flank markers and a blue silk regimental color bearing the coat-of-arms of the City of NY on one side and the coat-of-arms of the State of NY on its field. These stands of colors were presented to volunteer regiments raised in NYC by the Committee on National Affairs of the City’s Common Council, after manufacture by George Brandon and John Styles on special order by the city. Until the dissolution of that partnership in May of 1862, Brandon & Styles delivered no fewer than 39 stands of such flags, including this flank marking flag of the 6th NY Vols. George Brandon continued to accept City of NY contracts for similar flags until the end of the War. The marker’s dark blue field measures 25-7/8″ on its hoist by 28-3/8″ on its fly (inclusive of the 3/4″ wide sleeve that circumvented the iron rod that was screwed into the marker’s staff); a 1-1/2″ deep yellow silk twisted fringe finished the three exterior sides of the flag. In its center of the obverse side the marker bears the figure “6” (5-3/8″ high) followed by the raised lower case letters “th”, each with a period underneath (and 2-3/4″ high), and they have a thin red shadow, low and to the viewer’s left. These numerical identifying inscriptions are painted directly to the blue silk, and are not displayed against a gold edged red painted disc as are the later production markers from Brandon & Styles. [Only two other NY regiments are known to have flown similar markers- the 1st Engineers and the 9th Inf. (“Hawkins Zouaves”). It is probable, therefore, that this marker saw service near Pensacola in late 1861, including the action on Santa Rosa Island]. Arced over the “6th” designation are the four Roman upper case gold letters, “N.Y.S.V.” (for NY St. Vols), each 2-1/2″ high and with a narrow red shadow, low and to the viewer’s left. The gold painted (also with a red shadow, low and left), block letters “REGIMENT.”, below the numerical identification in a straight line, (2-3/8″ high) completes the unit’s regimental abbreviation. CONDITION: Not only is this flag configuration VERY RARE (only one other set has been recorded), but the flag is in excellent shape, with only a few minor cracks in the silk where the paint has flexed, and it has been professionally framed. Comes with a copy of printed conservation study by Sarah C. Stevens, “Do You Know Where You Are? Silk Flank Markers from the Civil War” (2003 North American Textile Conservation Conference), and a copy of the 4-part article by Howard Michael Madaus, “Camp Colors, General Guide Flags and Flank Markers in the United States Army, 1861-1865” (Military Collector & Historian, 1996-1997). 4-58343 HMM (13,000-20,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006

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
	830	$0.00	REGIMENTAL FLANK MARKER OF THE 6TH NEW YORK INFANTRY (“BILLY WILSON ZOUAVES”), 1861. One of a pair of flags to mark and identify the location of each flank of a regiment when drawn up in line of battle. This particular flag was presented to the 6th Regiment NY Vol. Inf. (nicknamed the “Billy Wilson Zouaves)” as a part of a stand (set) of colors consisting of two blue silk flank markers and a blue silk regimental color bearing the coat-of-arms of the City of NY on one side and the coat-of-arms of the State of NY on its field. These stands of colors were presented to volunteer regiments raised in NYC by the Committee on National Affairs of the City’s Common Council, after manufacture by George Brandon and John Styles on special order by the city. Until the dissolution of that partnership in May of 1862, Brandon & Styles delivered no fewer than 39 stands of such flags, including this flank marking flag of the 6th NY Vols. George Brandon continued to accept City of NY contracts for similar flags until the end of the War. The marker’s dark blue field measures 25-7/8″ on its hoist by 28-3/8″ on its fly (inclusive of the 3/4″ wide sleeve that circumvented the iron rod that was screwed into the marker’s staff); a 1-1/2″ deep yellow silk twisted fringe finished the three exterior sides of the flag. In its center of the obverse side the marker bears the figure “6” (5-3/8″ high) followed by the raised lower case letters “th”, each with a period underneath (and 2-3/4″ high), and they have a thin red shadow, low and to the viewer’s left. These numerical identifying inscriptions are painted directly to the blue silk, and are not displayed against a gold edged red painted disc as are the later production markers from Brandon & Styles. [Only two other NY regiments are known to have flown similar markers- the 1st Engineers and the 9th Inf. (“Hawkins Zouaves”). It is probable, therefore, that this marker saw service near Pensacola in late 1861, including the action on Santa Rosa Island]. Arced over the “6th” designation are the four Roman upper case gold letters, “N.Y.S.V.” (for NY St. Vols), each 2-1/2″ high and with a narrow red shadow, low and to the viewer’s left. The gold painted (also with a red shadow, low and left), block letters “REGIMENT.”, below the numerical identification in a straight line, (2-3/8″ high) completes the unit’s regimental abbreviation. CONDITION: Not only is this flag configuration VERY RARE (only one other set has been recorded), but the flag is in excellent shape, with only a few minor cracks in the silk where the paint has flexed, and it has been professionally framed. Comes with a copy of printed conservation study by Sarah C. Stevens, “Do You Know Where You Are? Silk Flank Markers from the Civil War” (2003 North American Textile Conservation Conference), and a copy of the 4-part article by Howard Michael Madaus, “Camp Colors, General Guide Flags and Flank Markers in the United States Army, 1861-1865” (Military Collector & Historian, 1996-1997). 4-58343 HMM (13,000-20,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006 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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