A First Pattern Philippines battle Flag (1898 - 1901) surrendered to the US Army sold for $37,800 with Centurion. Opening at $4,100 in the live auction, fierce bidding between collectors carried the lot to a final hammer price of $37,800. A record setting sale price for a First Pattern Philippines battle Flag.
The flag is constructed from multiple pieces of light cotton fabric having hand-drawn and painted "Sun of May" and Stars.
The flag was surrendered to Brigadier General Frederick Appleton Smith while serving in the Philippine–American War. It was brought back by Smith following service in the Philippines.
The flag measured 27 x 47" and was in good condition.
Also selling in this auction was a second First Pattern Philippines battle Flag with framed provenance letter. Multiple piece construction of light cotton fabric. Hand-drawn "Sun of May" and Stars. Measuring 26x39". This flag too was surrendered to Smith. Letter accompanying the flag states "Surrendered to Major Frederick Appleton Smith, 1st Infantry, by Captain Marcos Espinas at laguna, July 1901." Under extremely strong bidding, this flag rose to achieve a hammer price of $23,400.
The First Pattern Philippines battle Flags sold as lot 67517 and lot 67518 of the July 2021 Wartime Military Memorabilia Auction.
Combined, the First Pattern Philippines battle Flags brought $61,200.
Historical National Flag:
The original flag design was conceived by President Emilio Aguinaldo. Sewn by Marcela Marino de Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad in Hong Kong and first flown in battle on May 28, 1898. It was formally unfurled during the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and the flag of the First Philippine Republic, on June 12, 1898 by President Aguinaldo. It contains a mythical sun (with a face) similar to the Sun of May in other former Spanish colonies; the triangle of Freemasonry; the eight rays representing eight rebellious provinces of the Philippines first placed under martial law by the Governor-General. Some flags carry the Spanish texts: Fuerzas Expedicionarias del Norte de Luzon on its obverse and Libertad Justicia e Ygualdad on its reverse, which means "Northern Luzon Expeditionary Forces" and "Liberty, Justice, and Equality" respectively.
Provenance: Wartime trophies and personal items of Brigadier General Frederick Appleton Smith (1849 – 1922). All of the items belonging to Brigadier General Smith have been consigned by the family. Graduating from the United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1873 on through his retirement in 1913, the collection encompasses military, wartime, and personal pieces collected by Smith during the course of his 40-year military career in which he served extensively in the Western Frontier, Cuba, and the Philippines. Search this catalog for “Frederick Appleton Smith” to view all the lots in this auction related to the Smith collection. Read more about the Brigadier General Frederick Appleton Smith collection.
First Pattern Philippines Battle Flag Surrendered To US Army - Lot 67517 | Sold $37,800 | Photo Gallery
First Pattern Philippines Battle Flag Surrendered To US Army - Lot 67518 | Sold $23,400 | Photo Gallery
