Piece Flag Flew Over George Washington at His First Inauguration w/ 1844 LOA

Description: GEORGE WASHINGTON. Original piece of silk flag that flew over George Washington at his first inauguration as he took the oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City on April 30, 1789. Measures 3 by 1.25 inches and originally red that has faded to brown. PIECE OF SILK FLAG THAT FLEW OVER GEORGE WASHINGTON AT HIS FIRST INAUGURATION AS HE TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE ON THE BALCONY OF FEDERAL HALL IN NEW YORK CITY ON APRIL 30, 1789 Attached by a wax seal to a 1844 letter of authenticity from Charles Town acknowledging the genuineness of the flag: “A piece of the flag which was held over the head of General Washington when he was first inaugurated President of the United States, now in possession of the Common Council of this city [New York], formerly the property of the 2nd Regiment NYSA. Taken from said flag when it was under control of Col Town by CH Town Jany 1844.” Measures 8 by 3 inches, in very good condition with light staining and a separation down the middle, and beautifully matted and framed with an original 1859 steel engraving of Washington’s inauguration under UV glass to an overall size of 18.5 by 13.375 inches. ATTACHED BY A WAX SEAL TO A 1844 LETTER OF AUTHENTICITY FROM CHARLES TOWN, COMMANDER OF THE REGIMENT WHO RETAINED THE FLAG, ACKNOWLEDGING THE GENUINENESS OF THE FLAG On April 30, 1789, George Washington took the oath as the first president of the United States. The oath was administered by Robert R. Livingston, the Chancellor of New York, on a second floor balcony of Federal Hall above a crowd assembled in the streets to witness this historic event. President Washington and the members of Congress then retired to the Senate Chamber where Washington delivered the first inaugural address to a joint session of Congress. Washington humbly noted the power of the nations’ call for him to serve as president and the shared responsibility of the president and Congress to preserve, “the sacred fire of liberty,” and a republican form of government. “A PIECE OF THE FLAG WHICH WAS HELD OVER THE HEAD OF GENERAL WASHINGTON WHEN HE WAS FIRST INAUGURATED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES” The flag was retained by the Second Regiment New York State Artillery that was later under the command of Charles Town (circa 1777-1858). Town was a native of New Jersey who brought his family to Manhattan circa 1807 where he worked as an auctioneer in the partnership of Hones & Town with Philip Hone, a board member of banks and insurance companies, and candidate for the city assembly in 1824. He served as a major in the Second Regiment and was later promoted to colonel in 1819 and resigned in 1822. While under Town’s command, the Second Regiment presented the inaugural flag to New York City in a ceremony on June 11, 1821. Town’s subordinate, Lieutenant Colonel Manley, made the presentation speech and took over the regiment the following year. In 1921, it was presented in a ceremony to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, “to be placed in the Armor Department...where it will receive the just honor due the only flag remaining used at Washington's inauguration.” National Archives. George Washington’s First Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789.

Price: 11250 USD

Location: Spartanburg, South Carolina

End Time: 2024-09-03T22:33:50.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD