A WELL-PRESENTED FRAGMENT FROM THE UNION FLAG USED AT LORD NELSON'S FUNERAL AND TORN BY THE SAILOR'S OF VICTORY

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Details

A WELL-PRESENTED FRAGMENT FROM THE UNION FLAG USED AT LORD NELSON'S FUNERAL AND TORN BY THE SAILOR'S OF VICTORY
approximately 35in. long with three hand-stitched white and red divisions, tapering from 2½in. to 1in.; together with an early 19th-century print of the funeral car, a description of the car and a letter of provenance signed by James Saunders, 1882 -- 32 x 47in. (81 x 120cm.) including frame; Textile and dye reports confirming this fragment matches other known examples.

Provenance

James Saunders's Collection, sold by Sotheby's, 18th May, 1882.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The incident from which fragments of Victory's flag were produced is well known and was included in a report in THE TIMES on 10th January, 1806, the day after the funeral: The honest tars, however, who bore into the church the ensigns of the Victory, desirous of retaining some momentoes of their great and favourite Commander, tore off a considerable part of the largest flag, of which most, we believe, all, acquired a small portion; though few other persons were able to get any of it.

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