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CIVIL WAR 34 STAR FLAG, FAIR OAKS, VIRGINIA.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
CIVIL WAR 34 STAR FLAG, FAIR OAKS, VIRGINIA.

“FAIR OAKS” VIRGINIA BATTLE HONOR. Totally hand sewn wool bunting flag by Brooklyn sail maker George W. Gerau, 1862-1863. Flag was deaccessioned by Valley Forge Historical Society (now the Museum of the American Revolution). Flag is exceptionally well crafted w/ inset cut through twilled wool lettering & cotton stars. This flag was originally given to the Rev. W. Herbert Burk (1867-1933), the founder & curator of the Valley Forge Historical Society. Burk’s main interest of course was the American Revolution, but he collected all American historical objects (Making a Museum-Confessions of a Curator, 1926). Unfortunately, the original donation card is lost, but a 2015 transcription reads “Rev. Mr. Burk / Yours of the 11th rec’d. / I will send flag. As I wrote you / that my late Husband had the / flag made on his return home / wounded from Fair Oaks VA, we / had a great time one day, the day / that flag was raised and how we / enjoyed seeing it blow out thus / showing the lettering”. It also goes on to state his service as a first lieutenant in the 61st Regiment New York Volunteers, also the 22nd United States Colored Troops, acting assistant inspector general of the colored brigade & a first lieutenant in the Veteran Reserve Corps. A little detective work may find the original donor. Battle of Fair Oaks fought May 31 – June 1, 1862, produced over 5,000 casualties, killed & wounded. The 61st New York alone had 100 casualties. The soldier who survived this terrible fight had means to buy this very expensive flag as a memorial to his survival. Flag measures 77” on hoist, 157” on fly. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Conservation report. CONDITION: good to very good. Excellent color, light soiling, minor reductions other than linen hoist, which is heavily frayed & only partially intact, but enough to read most of the maker’s mark. One large handmade brass grommet is still intact at bottom edge of hoist. (02-15947). $5,000-8,000.