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Author Topic: Trafalgar Flag for Sale.  (Read 1368 times)

Bradley

  • Guest
Trafalgar Flag for Sale.
« on: October 11, 2009, 12:49:42 pm »

 
 
 Thought the Mayhemmers might be interested in this item which was emailed to me.
Derek.    :police:


Trafalgar union jack up for sale
 
The flag was flown from one of Nelson's warships, HMS Spartiate
The only surviving union jack from the Battle of Trafalgar could fetch £15,000 at auction after it was found in a drawer, auctioneers say.

The flag was flown from one of Nelson's warships, HMS Spartiate, in the naval battle off the Spanish coast in 1805.

It was presented by the 540-strong crew to Fife-born Lieutenant James Clephan after the conflict, a high honour bestowed upon an officer by his men.

The flag is being sold by one of his descendants living in Australia.

Clephan, who later went on to command his own ship, was one of the few men to have risen through the ranks and was greatly admired by his crew.

The flag, measuring 7ft 4in x 11ft 7in, is made of 31 panels sewn together by the crew on board the ship.

It bears a number of "battle scars" - holes caused by shot and shell splinter damage sustained during the conflict.

The union jack will go under the hammer later this month after being put up for sale by one of Clephan's descendants.

  I think it's hard to overstate the historical importance of this flag

Charles Miller
Flag owner
It was treasured by his family, who kept it in a drawer to preserve it.

Auctioneers expect the flag to fetch £10,000 to £15,000.

Charles Miller, through his own auction house, is selling the piece in London on 21 October, Trafalgar Day.

He said the flag was the only known surviving union jack from the battle.

"I think it's hard to overstate the historical importance of this flag," he said.

"This was the greatest naval action ever fought.

"The great thing about the flag is it's one of the most emblematic items you can get from Trafalgar.

"This is a bit of naval hardware that has actually served in the action."

Clephan, from Scoonie in Fife, spent his early years as an apprentice weaver and went on to join the Merchant Navy.

He retired in 1840 with the rank of captain and lived in Edinburgh for 11 years until his death at the age of 83.






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Bradley

  • Guest
Re: Trafalgar Flag for Sale.
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2009, 12:52:37 pm »

Just a little addition - the original email had a photo of the flag complete with battle holes and scars which did not reproduce in my listing.
Derek.    :police:
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Bradley

  • Guest
Re: Trafalgar Flag for Sale.
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2009, 01:22:34 pm »

With a bit of luck, this is the photo of the dear old Union Flag (not a Jack as previously stated).
Derek.    :police:
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Tester

  • Full Mayhemer
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  • Posts: 352
  • Location: Baughurst, Hampshire
Re: Trafalgar Flag for Sale.
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2009, 02:00:08 pm »

A couple of sites are saying this is the last "Privately Owned" flag in existence, not the very last one.
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