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9/11 World Trade Center Recovered American Flag With Provenance....
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Sold on Apr 26, 2024 for:
$41,250.00
Bid Source: Internet bidder
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Description
9/11 World Trade Center Recovered American Flag With Provenance. This flag measuring approximately 58" x 34" was recovered from the debris by first responder Vito Messana who was present at Ground Zero beginning on September 11, 2001, assisting in Search and Rescue efforts every day for the following two weeks. When Search and Rescue concluded their activities, Messana a member of Teamsters Local 282, was asked to stay on as a team leader in the cleanup.U.S., state, and international flags were among the 9/11 artifacts retrieved. Most recovered flags went to public institutions, including the Smithsonian, the New York State Museum, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It is estimated that hundreds of flags had been in World Trade Center buildings, due both to the large number of government offices there and the American tradition of flag ownership by private individuals. However, only a handful survived the fires and ultimate collapse of the Twin Towers.
The public interest in authentic 9/11 flags mirrors traditional American attachment to historic flag relics in the past. WTC flags fall into broad groups:
Debris Field Flags recovered from the WTC debris fields;
Freshkills Landfill Flags recovered from the 9/11 processing site on Staten Island;
WTC Associated flags are flags transported to the site by NYPD or FDNY generally while recovering the remains of the fallen;
9/11 Commemorative or Memorial flag are those flags taken to the site by grieving relative of those lost.
Of these categories, by far the most significant and evocative are the small handful of flags such as this one, recovered from the smoldering debris field in the days after the attack. This flag personally recovered by Mr. Messana from the debris at Tower #2, has remained in his personal collection for the last 20 plus years.
Condition: The flag shows evidence of having endured the traumatic events from which it survived. A "V"-shaped section from the center area to the fly end is missing with fraying and shredding. Mr. Messana has added an inscription in black marker to the center of the canton which reads, "WTC 9-11-01 Tower 2".
Provenance: The flag is accompanied by an Associated Press news photo of Mr. Messana at Ground Zero, A New York Post Article on 9/11 in which Mr. Messana is quoted, and a signed letter of provenance by Vito Messana attesting to these facts.
Auction Info
2024 April 26 - 27 Americana & Political Signature® Auction #6286 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2024
26th-27th
Friday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 21
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,474
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $1,000,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000, plus 15% of any amount over $5,000,000 per lot.
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