4284 CONFEDERATE FIRST NATIONAL "STARS & BARS" FLAG

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 May 11 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 10,000.00 USD
Estimated at 20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
BELONGING TO JOHN P HALL OF THE 12TH VIRGINIA AND NORFOLK LIGHT ARTILLERY. This spectacular example of a Confederate First National flag, also known as the "Stars & Bars", was the first official flag pattern of the Confederacy. The flag measures 34 1/2" at the hoist by 67" on the fly. The flag is made up of an upper, 11 3/4" red bar, and a lower 11 1/2" red bar. The red bars are separated by a single white bar measuring 11" in width. All bars are made of common crossweave cotton and exhibit hand sewing throughout. The cotton material appears to be repurposed from old bed sheets and dyed to create the flag. The white bar has a vertical hand sewn seam approximately 10" from the edge of the canton. The bottom red bar has a vertical hand sewn seam approximately 5 1/2" from the hoist. The blue canton is also cotton and measures 22 1/2" x 23 1/2". The canton features ten edge-sewn white cotton stars measuring 4" from point to point, arranged in a circle, with a larger edge-sewn star measuring 6 1/2" from point to point in the center. The stars were appliqued by hand to each side of the canton. The leading edge of the flag was turned over and hemmed to a depth of 1/8" to achieve reinforcing for nailing the flag to a staff or attaching ties. According to family tradition that was published by the United Daughters of the Confederacy at Miami, Florida in 1960, the flag was sewn by two ladies in Norfolk, Virginia. After the war, the flag was given to the Mrs. Harry Hardy Trice (born Essie Powell Hall) of Norfolk. Mrs. Trice's father, John Hall, served in the Confederate Army in the 12th Virginia Infantry, Mahone's Brigade, and in the Norfolk Light Artillery, Huger's Battery. The flag is housed in a 89 1/4" x 48" frame that also holds a sixth plate ambrotype of John Powell Hall in his Richmond Depot shell jacket and an sixth plate ambrotype of his wife, Margaret Louisa Culpeper. There is a plaque in the frame that reads "THE 1ST NATIONAL FLAG OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA (GREAT STAR DESIGN) HANDSEWN IN 1861 BY THE LADIES OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA FOR PVT. JOHN P. HALL AND HIS BRIDE MARGARET LOUISA CULPEPER HALL SERVED WITH CO. H, 12TH VIRGINIA INFANTRY "MANHONE'S BRIGADE" LEE'S ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA". Several small notes and some dry flora were located behind the two ambrotypes. Behind the image of Pvt. Hall was note that read "Taken on September 23rd 1863 in Richmond Va while sick in Chimborazo Hospital to Ms. Maggie L. Culpeper on South St between Middle and Court Sts Portsmouth Va J.P.H. a member of the army Army of Northern Virginia". UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a signed letter from noted flag authority Howard Madaus attesting to the originality and history of the flag. A copy of the UDC article. High quality copies of tags found with the images and general information about the flag, Pvt. Hall, the 12th Virginia, and the Norfolk Light Artillery. CONDITION: the flag generally shows very light wear for its age. It has a few minor pinhead type holes and shows expected staining throughout. The images remain clear and details are easy to see. (02-23930/BF). $20,000-30,000.