[Civil War]. Three issues of The Old Flag. Three printed issues of the Union prisone...
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Consign your material to be auctioned alongside these items on Thursday, February 26, 2026 in Dallas, TX. Consignment Deadline for this auction is Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
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Description
[Civil War]. Three issues of The Old Flag. Three printed issues of the Union prisoner of war newspaper The Old Flag, dated February 17, March 1, and March 13, 1864. Each measures approximately 19 x 12 inches. The originals, which have been lost to time, were meticulously handwritten by Captain William H. May at Camp Ford in Tyler, Texas. Created in the style of a print newspaper, divided into three columns per page, complete with illustrations, advertisements, poetry, editorials, and even a chess puzzle.Upon his release, May carried the first three issues to safety and had roughly fifty sets printed in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Offered is a set produced as part of that run. OCLC lists only one other extant copy, housed at the American Antiquarian Society.
Accompanying these issues is May's "Preface" to the paper, issued with the original run on October 1, 1864. He states that he created The Old Flag "to contribute as far as possible towards enlivening the monotonous, and at times almost unbearably eventless life of Camp Ford—and to cultivate a mutual good feeling between all."
Together with a letter of provenance from Lawrence & Lawrence Attorneys at Law in Tyler, Texas, dated June 6, 1961. In part: "I am offering for sale...three issues of the OLD FLAG which you will recall was a hand lettered newspaper printed by the prisoners of war here at Camp Ford...May, the editor, carried the first three issues under his shoulder strap and upon arriving safely in the East had about 50 reproductions printed...What I am offering for sale is one of those 50 sets."
Condition: Papers are age-toned and fragile with significant wear to the edges, including loss (affecting text) to the issues dated February 17 and March 13; pinholes and evidence of previous binding at the center fold of each issue; mat burn and scattered staining throughout. "Preface" somewhat toned with smoothed folds and scattered staining; chips and short tears to the edges, not affecting text.
Auction Info
2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6328 (go to Auction Home page)
Bidding Begins Approx.
January
26th
Monday
Auction Dates
February
26th
Thursday
Proxy Bidding Begins Approx.
35 Days
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: N/A
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 14
Auction Type
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Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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