$2,000
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000
A Grand Old Flag: The Stars and Stripes Collection of Dr. Peter J. Keim
Auction: November 24, 2019 1:00:00 PM EDT
Hand-sewn, single appliqued cotton 'puffy' stars, arranged in rows of 7,7,6,7,7 on a fine wool bunting canton, the stars 'peek' through, hand-sewn wool bunting stripes, machine-sewn linen hoist with two brass grommets, accompanied by hand-written and typed notes of provenance.
66 in. x 104 in.Provenance: The note reads, "This flag was given to W. H. Hahn, Friendship [Maine], by Mrs Cora Johnson, Waldoboro. It belonged to Mrs. Clayes who used it in the Civil War in 1862 at Foredom(sic) N. Y. and was given to Mrs. Johnson in 1892. Every day the flag was flown to show that they were on the Northern side, otherwise, the house would have been burned. Harry Clayes, the son, went to Colby. Asa Reed was his guardian while his mother was living. When he was 21 he demanded his money. He died from a broken neck after falling down stairs some where in New York City; his Father was a designer of men's clothes, and returned to Germany to die after leaving his son under Asa Reed's care. Asa was a brother to Mrs. Elkins-William Reed. Told by Gladys Poland, Oct. 5, 1944 at Judge Gallaghers cottage, Chamberlain, Maine."
Note: According to the New York City Directory of 1863, Henry Clayes and his wife lived at 8 John Street, Fordham. His profession is listed as "Fashions." New York City trade directories of 1857, 1859 and 1868 list Henry Clayes as "Fashion Reporter" at 333 and 544 Broadway.