1864 Civil War Black Regimental Flag Sells for $196,800
June 13th, 2019
An 1864 hand-painted flag that was carried into battle by the 127th Regiment, one of 11 African-American regiments from Pennsylvania that fought for the Union during the Civil War, sold at Morphy Auctions for $196,800 (includes buyer’s premium) on June 13.
Dan Morphy, president of Morphy Auctions in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, confirmed that the flag was purchased by an institutional buyer bidding by phone.
Believed to be the only survivor from the original 11 flags hand painted by David Bustill Bowser, son of a fugitive slave, the flag has distinctive artwork featuring the image of a black soldier bidding farewell to Columbia, the personification of the U.S. Above the artwork a motto reads “WE WILL PROVE OURSELVES MEN.”
“It was such an honor to have been chosen to bring this precious Civil War artifact to the auction marketplace,” Morphy said. “Its historical importance cannot be overstated.”
