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THBA rare 35-Star American Civil War Cavalry Guidon with an intriguing inscription
Lot 273
Categories
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$8,000 - $12,000
Starting Bid
$4,000
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Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $100 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Doyle
Nov 25, 2025
Set Reminder
2025-11-25 10:00:00
2025-11-25 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/doyle/rare-books-autographs-maps-21321
Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 10am Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection Doyle info@doyle.com
Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 10am Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection Doyle info@doyle.com
View Full Catalog (342)
- Lot Description
[FLAG] A 35-Star American Civil War Cavalry Guidon. A 35-star silk flag of swallowtail form with machine-stitched stripes, the gold-stenciled stars arranged in a double-ellipse medallion with a star outside the pattern in each corner of the canton. The flag is circa 20 January 1863 to 31 October 1864, the period in which West Virginia was the newly admitted 35th state. A white stripe near the canton in inscribed possibly with: "Presented to Julia & U.S. Grant by her friend Cassius [or Cassins]" or possibly "Presented to Julia R. Hunt by her friend Cassius." 27 x 40 inches (69 x 102 cm); nicely mounted and framed with a plaque to 41 1/2 x 43 3/4 (106 x 111 cm). Professionally stabilized and mounted but with some wear, small losses, and visible tears, the stripes bear some soiling, very well preserved and attractive overall, not examined out of frame. A rare and largely intact 35-star silk Union cavalry guidon. On June 20, 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed that West Virginia would officially be recognized as the 35th state admitted to the Union. Mostly carried by Union cavalry, guidon flags were used as important flank-markers and helped commanding officers keep sight of their unit. It was considered an honor to be the "guidon bearer," the troop who carried the unit guidon alongside the commanding officer. During the Civil War, guidon flags were standardized for cavalry and artillery regiments. This flag bears an intriguing inscription which appears contemporary and may have been presented to Julia and U.S. Grant at some point during or after the Civil War. Should the name here be Cassius, there is the possibility of it being presented by Cassius M. Clay, the notable Kentucky abolitionist, friend of Lincoln, and Ambassador to Russia during the Civil War, but this is unconfirmed. Provenance: Sotheby's New York, Important Americana, including Silver, Flags, Folk Art & Furniture, 23 May 2002, lot 128 ("This flag likely saw strategic duty during the War between the States.")No condition report? Click below to request one.*Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact and Doyle New York shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. Please contact the specialist department to request further information or additional images that may be available. Request a condition report
Condition
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