Want to restore a 1863 Confederate Flag

[jbkelly]

Dear jbkelley:

That looks like a late 19th century flag to me. And by "late" I mean second half. That could be from the 1860's.

Do you have any idea what museum that flag was de-accessed from? It could have been a post of the Grand Army of the Republic and when that post was broken up after the death of the last veterans the artifacts may have been sold off or given to relatives of the veterans.

What you want to do to this flag is "conserve" it, not restore it. Even if it was a flag from the 1890's it is in excellent condition and needs no "restoration". Textile Preservation Associates ought to get this to stabilize and frame it for you. However, you may get more info on the Arkansas connection if you contact the US Civil War Flag forum. You can find them at:
The Civil War Flags Message Board - Message Index

You cannot post pictures onto that CW site, but you CAN post the link to the photographs you posted on THIS site.

Good luck with that - I would certainly like to see what those guys at the Civil War Message Board say.

Nick

Thanks for all the information. I have a few more questions for you.

I am glad to know the difference between "conserve" & "restore". The two contacts for "conservation" have been called and messages left, but neither one has called me back yet. Do you still estimate that the "conservation" will cost between $5,000.00 & $10,000?

Before my mother aquired it, this flag was in the possession of Leutenant James Casler's granddaughter. It turns out that in 1895, James Casler is living in St. Paul, MN with wife, his two sons, his daughter in law, and his grand daughter. If the flag had been donated to a GAR it might have been one in St. Paul, MN.

Do you have any idea of what its value might be?

[NAVA1974]

Thanks for all the information. I have a few more questions for you.Do you still estimate that the "conservation" will cost between $5,000.00 & $10,000?

No. Your flag is in much better condition than your verbal description led me to believe. Stabilizing the fabric, stitching it to a neutral cloth background, and archivally framing it should cost in the $1500 to $2500 range.

Before my mother acquired it, this flag was in the possession of Lieutenant James Casler's granddaughter. It turns out that in 1895, James Casler is living in St. Paul, MN with wife, his two sons, his daughter in law, and his grand daughter. If the flag had been donated to a GAR it might have been one in St. Paul, MN.

Do you have any idea of what its value might be?

It is an odd variant of the First National Flag of the Confederacy. Authentic CSA first national flags are usually priced at $15,000 to $20,000, or more if they are associated with an individual or regiment. I don't know what the extra stripes on the flag would do to the value. And we don't often see fringe on CSA national flags. This is where examination by flag fabric experts would help. If your flag went on eBay as-is I doubt you would get more than a couple of thousand dollars. Get a certification from Textile Preservation Associates and you have a five-figure artifact.

Nick

[Peter Ansoff]

All,

I've taken the liberty of moving this thread to the "Flag Identification and Collecting" section, and leaving a redirect in the old location.

Best to all,

Peter Ansoff
Forum Admin