History under the hammer

I didn't even know of this flag's existence before today, but I can't argue about its value.

The only surviving Union Jack from the Battle of Trafalgar yesterday sold for a staggering world record of £384,000 [over US $638,000] - nearly 40 times its estimate.

The huge flag, that is littered with holes from shot damage and still has a whiff of gunpowder, flew from the jackstaff of HMS Spartiate at the historic battle 204 years ago.




After the victory over Napoleon's French army, the crew lowered the flag and presented it to Lieutenant James Clephan for his outstanding performance.

Lieutenant Clephan was hugely respected among his men as he was one of only 16 out of 300,000 sailors who were press-ganged into the Royal Navy to rise through the ranks.

The 11ft by 7ft flag remained in his family after his death and was kept in a darkened draw[er] to help preserve it.

His descendants decided to sell it after emigrating to Australia and it was given a pre-sale estimate of just £10,000.

But when it went under the hammer at auction in London today - Trafalgar Day - it was immediately met with fierce bidding, both in the room and from buyers around the world on the phone and internet.

The gavel eventually came down on an anonymous collector's bid of £320,000.

With the 20 per cent buyer's premium paid on top, the total paid for it is £384,000.

This is believed to be a world record for any such Union Jack sold before.

It is not yet clear if the flag will remain in Britain or go abroad.

A spokesman for Charles Miller Auctions, who sold the standard, said: 'We are hugely delighted and thrilled with the price, as are James Clephan's family.

'It is way above anyone's expectations but does reflect the historical importance of the flag and the battle it fluttered in 204 years ago today.'

The flag was made from 31 bunting panels by the crew of HMS Spartiate, which was the last ship in line behind Nelson's HMS Victory as they took on the French at Trafalgar.




Spartiate was actually a French ship but was seized by the British at the Battle of the Nile in 1798.

[One of] Its lieutenant[s] was James Clephan, from Fife in Scotland. He was pressed into the navy 1794 aged 26 and excelled as a seaman.

He was made a midshipman in 1801 and rose to lieutenant later that year for distinguishing himself in the successful capture of the French ship Chevrette.

After Trafalgar he was immediately promoted to first lieutenant and by the time his career in the navy finished he was captain of his own ship.

Mr Miller said: 'The flag is one of the most important, historical items any collector could expect to handle.

'The damage is probably from bullet holes or splinter fragments, but despite all this it is in amazing condition.

'You can still even detect the smell that is ingrained within it.'

There's much more at the link, including a brief biography of Lt. Clephan, one of only a handful of 'pressed men' who rose to officers rank during the Napoleonic Wars, and later to command a warship. Recommended reading.

For historical reasons, I hope the flag stays in England. That 'green and pleasant land' may have degenerated into a Socialist hell-hole, but there are enough Churchillian and Nelsonian Englishmen left there to value such reminders of their nation's once-glorious past.

Peter