$5,500
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
A Grand Old Flag: The Stars and Stripes Collection of Dr. Peter J. Keim
Auction: November 24, 2019 1:00:00 PM EDT
Clamp-dyed stars arranged in horizontal rows of 8,7,7,7,8 on a wool canton, machine-sewn, clamp-dyed stripes comprised of two-parts, canvas hoist with two grommets, mounted and framed.
45 in. x 54 in. (sight)Provenance: By descent in the family of Modoc Chief Kintpuash, "Captain Jack."
Literature: Kevin Keim & Peter Keim, A Grand Old Flag: A History of the United States Through its Flags (2007), 111.
Note: Under the early leadership of Chief Kintpuash (1837-1873), or "Captain Jack," the Modoc tribe maintained good relations with settlers on their land in the Tule Lake area of Northern California and Oregon. As the number of settlers increased, disputes arose, and the Federal Government coerced the Modoc to relocate to a reservation in Oregon. The reservation was already occupied by another Native group, the Klamaths, and conflicts began. When the food and goods promised by the government was not delivered, Kintpuash led the Modoc back to their homeland. Four years later, the Modoc were forced to return to the reservation by the U.S. Army. The next year, the Modoc again returned to their native lands, and the U.S. Army was dispatched to return the Modoc to the reservation. At this time, a group of Modoc warriors murdered twelve white settlers. Kintpuash felt he had no choice but to fight the U.S. Army and the Modoc War of 1872-1873 began. Kintpuash led the Modoc to the lava beds in northeastern California where they held off the U.S. Army for nearly six months. At a peace commission between the two sides, Kintpuash, under pressure by radical tribe members, shot and killed an army officer. Kintpuash was eventually handed over to the Army, tried, convicted, and hanged.