One of the finest Civil War collections ever offered, Nov. 20-21, by Heritage in Gettysburg One of the finest Civil War collections ever offered, Nov. 20-21, in Gettysburg
> Gen. Philip H. Sheridan
> , the Confederate
> battle flag of the 37^th Mississippi Infantry, estimated at
> $35,000-$45,000, and the Left General Guide Flag of the 72nd
> Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Baxter's Philadelphia Fire Zouaves
> . This is the flag
> carried by this gallant regiment from Chancellorsville to Weldon
> Railroad, including at Gettysburg at the repulse of Pickett's charge.
> This is the only standard that is known to have survived from that
> momentous action, many of the others having been cut up and
> distributed as souvenirs when the Army of the Potomac was restructured
> after Gettysburg in July 1863. It is certainly one of the most
> compelling relics of the American Civil War. It carries an estimate of
> $55,000 - $65,000.
>
> Also among the top offerings, and certainly a lot expected generate
> intense interest is an exceptionally rare and historic uniform of
> Famed Birney's Zouaves
> . The amazing jacket,
> vest and trousers grouping belonged to Corporal William Stephens of
> Co. I, 23rd Pa. Vol. Infantry. The open, dark blue jacket is trimmed
> on the edges, down the front, on the seams and cuffs in bright red
> cord, with decorative loops on the chest. The front is closed by a
> simple brass eagle button that fastens through a decorative loop of
> red trim. On each sleeve are affixed two large, ribbed, red wool
> stripes denoting Stephens' rank. Birney's Zouaves spent most of its
> service with the VI Corps and played especially pivotal roles at
> Fredericksburg in May 1863 and Gettysburg later that year. Not long
> after beginning active duty in the field, the regiment found their
> colorful uniforms to be impractical and slowly changed to Federal
> issue garb. This is the most complete Birney's Zouaves uniform known
> to exist. It carries an estimate of $85,000 - $95,000.
>
> To see additional items from the Kurtz Civil War Collection, go online
> to www.ha.com/6015 .
>
> To discuss consigning Civil War material to an upcoming auction at
> Heritage, call Dennis Lowe at (800) 872-8467 x 1182, or email to
> DennisL@HA.com .
>
> Heritage is the world's third largest auction house, and by far the
> largest auctioneer of rare collectibles, with annual sales of more
> than $700 million, and 400,000+ registered online bidder members. For
> more information about Heritage's auctions, and to join and gain
> access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color,
> enlargeable photos of each lot, visit www.ha.com .
