EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THB
SAR
AED[CIVIL WAR] Rare USS Kearsarge & CSS Alabama Relics
![[CIVIL WAR] Rare USS Kearsarge & CSS Alabama Relics](https://s1.img.bidsquare.com/item/xl/3568/35680711.jpeg?t=1VYc2e)
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $100 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
About Auction
LiveApr 25, 2026
Featuring rare artifacts, documents, ephemera, photography, and weaponry relating to the American Civil War. Fleischer's Auctions info@fleischersauctions.com
View Full Catalog (365)
- Lot Description
A FINE PAIR OF "BATTLE OF CHERBOURG" ARTIFACTS INCLUDING PENNANT REMNANT OF THE U.S.S. KEARSARGE & LAUNCH PIN OF THE C.S.S. ALABAMA.
Items include.
1. Red and white bunting. Approx. 1 1/4 x 2 1/2 in. WITH Autograph note in ink by Mary Winslow. N.p., n.d. Reads in full: "A piece of the pennant of the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she sunk the Alabama off Cherbourg, France. June 19th 1864."
Provenance: Mary Winslow (1845-1896), daughter of Captain John Winslow (1811-1873) of the U.S.S. Kearsarge.
2. 10K-14K gold star engraved "290". Original C-clasp and tube hinge (dating 19th century) to reverse alongside additional suspension loop. Approx. 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. With later mauve ribbon. WITH Manuscript note in pencil. N.p., n.d. Reads in full: "Pin commemorating the launching of Confederate Cruiser Alabama. She was the 290 (ship building number) until commissioned".
A unique and historic pairing of relics from the combatants of the Battle of Cherbourg, the only naval sea battle during the Civil War. Each item is accompanied by manuscript notes that, although undated, appear to be near-contemporary.
The U.S.S. Kearsarge is represented by a piece of hand-stitched red and white bunting. The note attributes the fragment to the pennant flying when she sank the Alabama.
The note with the pennant is confidently attributed to Mary Winslow, daughter of Captain John Ancrum Winslow (later Rear Admiral), who commanded the USS Kearsarge during the Battle of Cherbourg. Another known fragment of the Kearsarge's pennant with an accompanying note in the same hand and signed by Mary Winslow, confirms the attribution.
Additionally, an 1899 article published in The Sunday Herald of Boston, reports that Mary Winslow was in possession of Kearsarge's pennant, displaying it with pride and frequently showing it to friends: "The old family home of the late Admiral Winslow on Kearsarge Avenue, Roxbury, which was purchased from his heirs by the trustees of the Roxbury Latin school...The house was occupied until a short time before her death by Miss Mary Winslow, the admiral's daughter, who used to show her friends with pride the flag and the pennant which were flying on the Kearsarge when she sunk the Alabama." (24 June 1899, p. 22).
Of historic significance is the "290" star badge, attributed to the C.S.S. Alabama. The Confederate government contracted with the Laird Brothers at Birkenhead to build a cruiser capable of running down merchant ships. During her construction, she was known only as "290," corresponding with this fine badge.
The "290" left England on July 29th and sailed unarmed to the Azores to avoid violating British neutrality. Once there, Captain Raphael Semmes met the ship with six naval guns and two large-caliber pivots, commissioned the ship as the Alabama, and took command.
An excellent pair of relics.
[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Relics, Militaria] [Medals, Corps Badges, Badges, Ribbons] [Navy, Naval History, Brown Water Navy, David Glasgow Farragut, David Dixon Porter, Battle of Mobile Bay, Battle of New Orleans, Blockade, Confederate Blockade] [Flags, Patriotic Textiles]
Condition
Pennant bunting partially attached to display board.
Brooch was tested with an XRF gun and measured between 10K and 14K gold.
- Shipping Info
-
All packages valued at over $250 are shipped with a signature required upon delivery. All packages handled and shipped in-house by Fleischer's Auctions are not insured unless insurance is requested. Successful bidders who would like their packages insured are responsible for notifying us that this is the case and are responsible for paying the cost of insurance.
-
- Payment & Auction Policies
-
Available payment options
-
-
- Buyer's Premium
