"IT IS THE PRIMARY RIGHT OF MEN TO DIE AND KILL FOR THE LAND THEY L...

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Who Made The First American Flag? Not Betsy Ross.
The American Revolution is shrouded in many myths and legends. From the ideas that Americans won the war fighting in a guerilla style, to the notion that the war was strictly between the Brits and us, even Molly Pitcher the heroine of the Battle of Monmouth. But one myth that really bothers me is the Betsy Ross flag myth. So what is my beef with Betsy Ross? Nothing really, but she did not make the first American Flag and it is time most Americans know why she gets the credit but more importantly why she doesn't deserve it.

quilting.about.com

We all know the story of Betsy Ross. She was just sitting around her house in Philadelphia in 1776, when all of a sudden George Washington showed up and was like, "Hey Betsy, stitch me a flag really quick." Ok, so that is not an exact quote or even what happened but I am just having a little fun here. To be honest Ross was a well know upholsterer in the city of Philadelphia, but one of many upholsterers. She repaired uniforms, tents, blankets and so on, but flags? Well that is whats up for debate here. The truth is there are several other people ahead of Ross as creators of an American flag, but not the present day American Flag, you know, Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes, The Star Spangled Banner.

frauncestavernmuseum.org

So if Ross wasn't first who could have it been? Well the list is pretty long, there's Margaret Manny, who is credited with creating the Grand Union Flag. There is also Rebecca Young, Anne King and Cornelia Bridges, all who were better known flag makers than Ross. Other options would be William Barrett, Hugh Stewart, Francis Hopkinson or William Alliborne, all of whom were involved with flags in one way or another. Aside from these possible flag makers there are a few other facts to take into consideration. First, there is no evidence that Ross and Washington knew each other, or that Washington ever visited her shop. Second, the flag is never mention at all, in any letters by any member of the Continental Congress in 1776, in fact there is no mention of a flag by anyone in that year. Third, and perhaps most important, Congress issued the Flag Resolution in 1777, a full year after the supposed Ross Flag was made. But why does Ross get all the credit?

archives.gov

The name William J. Canby really does jump out as one of those big names in History, but Mr. Canby is the reason why Ross gets the credit for the first American flag. Canby was the grandson of Ross and was the first to make the claim about Ross's role as the mother of the American flag. It happened in 1870, six years before the American centennial celebration. His proof? Family stories passed down from generation to generation. And because of Canby and his claim people now visit 239 Arch Street every time they visit Philadelphia to see where the first American flag was made, and learn a little more about Betsy Ross.
However, what is not mentioned is that Canby's story and history really don't match up. For most of 1776, George Washington was preoccupied with the British in the Northeastern states and then later in New York and New Jersey. It wouldn't be till the end of 1776 that Washington would spend some considerable time in Philadelphia, but even then he was preparing for his counter attack that would then sing the tide of war in favor of the Americans.

bestyrooshouse.org

So who made the first flag? Well, I am not sure, but I am sure it wasn't Betsy Ross. Lets review the facts, there are no letters, diaries, newspaper accounts or bills of sale implicating Ross had anything to do with the creation or even making of the flag. Even the National Museum of American History's research has proven that there is no evidence supporting the Ross Flag and have deemed it just part of American folklore. Also Ross biographer Marla Miller said, Betsy Ross was one of several flag makers in Philadelphia, and her only contribution to the design was to change the 6-pointed stars to the easier 5-pointed stars. So, Facts 3, Ross 0. But lets remember Ross only gets the credit because her grandson claimed she made it first. Had any grandchildren of the other flag makers made the claim we'd be visiting their homes in Philadelphia and passing on their legend instead. However, Ross gets the credit and until some evidence arises that she didn't make the first flag she will continue to get the credit. But one can say even though she doesn't deserve it, Ross is still a great piece of legend that surrounds the American Revolution still some 237 years later.

A History of the English-Speaking Peoples.
Churchill, Winston S.
$8,000.00
Item Number: 37005
London: Cassell and Company, 1956-1958. First British editions of each of the four volumes of this set of Churchill’s classic history. Octavo, original cloth, 4 volumes. Volumes two and three are signed by Winston Churchill on the title page. Each are near fine in the original dust jackets that show light toning. Housed in a custom slipcase. An exceptional set, rare and desirable signed.
"Churchill’s last great work was published nearly 20 years after he penned its first draft in the late 1930s, just after wrapping up [the biography of] Marlborough. This enabled him to utilize the literary team he had assembled for the biography, to which he added dozens of outlines he had solicited from scholars In its final form the original single volume evolved to four, each of which was published simultaneously in Britain, the USA and Canada— a first for Churchill’s works" (Langworth, 312).

The World Crisis 1911-1914; The World Crisis 1915; The World Crisis 1916-1918 Part One and Part Two; The World Crisis. The Aftermath; The World Crisis. The Eastern Front.
Churchill, Winston S.
$13,500.00
Item Number: 73022
London: Thornton Butterfield, 1923-31. First British editions of Churchill’s important history of World War I. Octavo, six volumes, original blue cloth. Illustrated throughout with maps and charts. Errata slips to volumes I and IV present. Volume V is inscribed by Churchill to Sir William Joynson Hicks, “Jix from Winston, 1 Mar 1929.” The recipient Sir William Joynson, known to his friends as “Jix” was a Conservative Party politician. He first attracted attention in 1908 when he defeated Winston Churchill, a Liberal Cabinet Minister at the time, in a by-election for the seat of North-West Manchester. He best known as a long-serving Home Secretary in Stanley Baldwin’s Second Government from 1924 to 1929. In near fine condition with light rubbing to the extremities. A very nice association of an important work, scarce signed.
His American biographer William Manchester wrote that: His masterpiece is The World Crisis, published over a period of several years, 1923 to 1931, a six-volume, 3,261-page account of the Great War, beginning with its origins in 1911 and ending with its repercussions in the 1920s. Magnificently written, it is enhanced by the presence of the author at the highest councils of war and in the trenches as a battalion commander. The British historian Robert Rhodes James wrote that: For all its pitfalls as history, The World Crisis must surely stand as Churchill’s masterpiece.As first lord of the admiralty and minister for war and air, Churchill stood resolute at the center of international affairs. In this classic account, he dramatically details how the tides of despair and triumph flowed and ebbed as the political and military leaders of the time navigated the dangerous currents of world conflict. Churchill vividly recounts the major campaigns that shaped the war: the furious attacks of the Marne, the naval maneuvers off Jutland, Verdun's "soul-stirring frenzy," and the surprising victory of Chemins des Dames. Here, too, he re-creates the dawn of modern warfare: the buzz of airplanes overhead, trench combat, artillery thunder, and the threat of chemical warfare. In Churchill's inimitable voice we hear how "the war to end all wars" instead gave birth to every war that would follow. "The World Crisis is at once an outstandingly readable history of the First World War -- the seminal drama of modern times -- and an eyewitness account, especially of its opening years. Whether as a statesman or an author, Churchill was a giant; and The World Crisis towers over most other books about the Great War" (David Fromkin). This comprehensive account of the War is both analytical and on occasions a justification from the author for his part in the proceedings. It is claimed that Churchill suggested this work was "not history, but a contribution to history." Since its publication both biographers and historians have considered it Churchill's masterpiece, eclipsing his better-known account 'The Second World War'; T. E. Lawrence regarded the second volume, 1915, as "far and away the best war-book I've yet read."

“I DRINK A GREAT DEAL. I SLEEP A LITTLE, AND I SMOKE CIGAR AFTER CIGAR": RARE LA CORONA CIGAR PARTIALLY SMOKED BY FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER WINSTON S. CHURCHILL; ACCOMPANIED BY A SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH OF HIM SMOKING THAT VERY CIGAR
Churchill, Winston S.
Winston Churchill Partially-Smoked Cuban Cigar with a Signed Original Photograph.

Exceptionally rare La Corona cigar partially smoked by one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, Winston S. Churchill, bearing his own label. Accompanied by a black and white photograph of Churchill smoking that very cigar at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France, boldly signed by him, “Winston S. Churchill.” The partially-smoked cigar was retrieved by Corporal William Alan Turner, Air Squadron Transport Command, who was a member of the cabin crew that flew Winston and Clementine Churchill to and from Northolt and Paris on May 11th, 1947. It was during this trip that Churchill was awarded France’s highest military honor, the Medaille Militaire. Corporal Turner retrieved the cigar from an ashtray “…and took the remains into protective custody” (as is noted in his included pencil annotations) after he took the accompanying candid photograph from the doorway of the plane just before Churchill boarded to return to Northolt. Turner later sent the photograph to the House of Commons with the request that Churchill sign and return it. Additionally accompanied is a letter from Churchill’s secretary dated 1st July, 1949, returning the signed photograph “…which Mr. Churchill has had much pleasure in signing.” The cigar measures 4 inches long, retaining the “La Corona Winston Churchill Habana” red-and gold-label. Matted and framed. An exceptional piece of history with noted photographic provenance.

Winston Churchill Partially-Smoked Cuban Cigar with a Signed Original Photograph.Winston Churchill Partially-Smoked Cuban Cigar with a Signed Original Photograph.
Winston Churchill Partially-Smoked Cuban Cigar with a Signed Original Photograph.Winston Churchill Partially-Smoked Cuban Cigar with a Signed Original Photograph.
Winston Churchill Partially-Smoked Cuban Cigar with a Signed Original Photograph.
Churchill, Winston S.
$25,000.00
Item Number: 68091

Exceptionally rare La Corona cigar partially smoked by one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, Winston S. Churchill, bearing his own label. Accompanied by a black and white photograph of Churchill smoking that very cigar at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France, boldly signed by him, “Winston S. Churchill.” The partially-smoked cigar was retrieved by Corporal William Alan Turner, Air Squadron Transport Command, who was a member of the cabin crew that flew Winston and Clementine Churchill to and from Northolt and Paris on May 11th, 1947. It was during this trip that Churchill was awarded France’s highest military honor, the Medaille Militaire. Corporal Turner retrieved the cigar from an ashtray “…and took the remains into protective custody” (as is noted in his included pencil annotations) after he took the accompanying candid photograph from the doorway of the plane just before Churchill boarded to return to Northolt. Turner later sent the photograph to the House of Commons with the request that Churchill sign and return it. Additionally accompanied is a letter from Churchill’s secretary dated 1st July, 1949, returning the signed photograph “…which Mr. Churchill has had much pleasure in signing.” The cigar measures 4 inches long, retaining the “La Corona Winston Churchill Habana” red-and gold-label. Matted and framed. An exceptional piece of history with noted photographic provenance.
Throughout the majority of his political career, Winston S. Churchill was inseparable from his cigars, there are few informal photographs that show him without one. Churchill’s love of cigar smoking began with a visit to Havana in November of 1895 and led him to develop relationships with a number of regular suppliers of Cuban cigars, his favorites being Romeo y Julieta and the now-defunct La Aroma de Cuba. Churchill was known to stock between 3,000 and 4,000 cigars, mainly Cuban, in a room adjacent to his study in his country home in Kent, Chartwell Manor. As one of his valets, Roy Howells, wrote in his biography Simply Churchill, "It took me a little while to get used to the fact that in two days his cigar consumption was the equivalent of my weekly salary.” The first ‘Winston S. Churchill’ banded cigars were produced by New York businessman Samuel M. Kaplan, a great supporter of Churchill who resolved to keep the Prime Minister supplied with Cuban Cigars after his historic stand against Nazi Germany. Kaplan’s first gift was a batch of 5,000 La Coronas bearing the Churchill band delivered to Churchill at the British Embassy in Washington (the batch from which this partially-smoked cigar likely originated). Churchill also received gifts in the form of cigars from the Cuban government, Cuban patron Antonio Girauder, and tens of thousands of well-wishers. British importers Peter and David Knight received consent from the Churchill Estate in the late 1950’s to begin production of the Winston S. Churchill brand cigar, which was contracted to Romeo y Julieta of Havana and remains a popular brand to this day.

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Winston Churchill Partially-Smoked Cuban Cigar with a Signed Original Photograph.

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“I DRINK A GREAT DEAL. I SLEEP A LITTLE, AND I SMOKE CIGAR AFTER CIGAR": RARE LA CORONA CIGAR PARTIALLY SMOKED BY FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER WINSTON S. CHURCHILL; ACCOMPANIED BY A SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH OF HIM SMOKING THAT VERY CIGAR

Exceptionally rare La Corona cigar partially smoked by one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, Winston S. Churchill, bearing his own label. Accompanied by a black and white photograph of Churchill smoking that very cigar at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France, boldly signed by him, “Winston S. Churchill.” The partially-smoked cigar was retrieved by Corporal William Alan Turner, Air Squadron Transport Command, who was a member of the cabin crew that flew Winston and Clementine Churchill to and from Northolt and Paris on May 11th, 1947. It was during this trip that Churchill was awarded France’s highest military honor, the Medaille Militaire. Corporal Turner retrieved the cigar from an ashtray “…and took the remains into protective custody” (as is noted in his included pencil annotations) after he took the accompanying candid photograph from the doorway of the plane just before Churchill boarded to return to Northolt. Turner later sent the photograph to the House of Commons with the request that Churchill sign and return it. Additionally accompanied is a letter from Churchill’s secretary dated 1st July, 1949, returning the signed photograph “…which Mr. Churchill has had much pleasure in signing.” The cigar measures 4 inches long, retaining the “La Corona Winston Churchill Habana” red-and gold-label. Matted and framed. An exceptional piece of history with noted photographic provenance.
Throughout the majority of his political career, Winston S. Churchill was inseparable from his cigars, there are few informal photographs that show him without one. Churchill’s love of cigar smoking began with a visit to Havana in November of 1895 and led him to develop relationships with a number of regular suppliers of Cuban cigars, his favorites being Romeo y Julieta and the now-defunct La Aroma de Cuba. Churchill was known to stock between 3,000 and 4,000 cigars, mainly Cuban, in a room adjacent to his study in his country home in Kent, Chartwell Manor. As one of his valets, Roy Howells, wrote in his biography Simply Churchill, "It took me a little while to get used to the fact that in two days his cigar consumption was the equivalent of my weekly salary.” The first ‘Winston S. Churchill’ banded cigars were produced by New York businessman Samuel M. Kaplan, a great supporter of Churchill who resolved to keep the Prime Minister supplied with Cuban Cigars after his historic stand against Nazi Germany. Kaplan’s first gift was a batch of 5,000 La Coronas bearing the Churchill band delivered to Churchill at the British Embassy in Washington (the batch from which this partially-smoked cigar likely originated). Churchill also received gifts in the form of cigars from the Cuban government, Cuban patron Antonio Girauder, and tens of thousands of well-wishers. British importers Peter and David Knight received consent from the Churchill Estate in the late 1950’s to begin production of the Winston S. Churchill brand cigar, which was contracted to Romeo y Julieta of Havana and remains a popular brand to this day.

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The First Collected Works of Sir Winston Churchill: Centenary Limited Edition.
"TO IMPROVE IS TO CHANGE; TO BE PERFECT IS TO CHANGE OFTEN": WINSTON CHURCHILL’S COLLECTED WORKS; 38 VOLUMES IN FULL VELLUM IN THE ORIGINAL SLIPCASES
Churchill, Winston S.
The First Collected Works of Sir Winston Churchill: Centenary Limited Edition.
London: Library of Imperial History In association With Charles Scribner's Sons and The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, 1973-76. Centenary limited edition of Churchill’s Complete Works, one of only 3000 sets produced. Octavo, original full vellum, 38 volumes. Boards gilt-stamped with the Churchill arms, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers, original dark green slipcases, also gilt-stamped with the Churchill coat of arms. In fine condition in the fine original slipcases. A beautiful set.
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The Second World War: The Gathering Storm; Their Finest Hour; The Grand Alliance; The Hinge of Fate; Closing the Ring; Triumph and Tragedy.
"WE SHALL SHOW MERCY, BUT WE SHALL NOT ASK FOR IT": FIRST EDITIONS OF WINSTON CHURCHILL’S MASTERPIECE THE SECOND WORLD WAR; VOLUME V INSCRIBED AND DATED BY HIM IN THE YEAR OF PUBLICATION
Churchill, Winston S.
The Second World War: The Gathering Storm; Their Finest Hour; The Grand Alliance; The Hinge of Fate; Closing the Ring; Triumph and Tragedy.
London: Cassell & Company, 1948-54. First editions of Churchill’s World War II masterpiece. Six Volumes, octavo, original black cloth, patterned endpapers. Inscribed and dated in the year of publication by Winston Churchill on the half-title page of volume five. Each are near fine in very good to near fine dust jackets.
Price:
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ADD TO WISHLIST BUYASK A QUESTIONDETAILS
The World Crisis 1911-1914; The World Crisis 1915; The World Crisis 1916-1918 Part One and Part Two; The World Crisis. The Aftermath; The World Crisis. The Eastern Front.

"IT IS MY HOPE TO RECALL THIS GREAT SHADE FROM THE PAST, AND NOT ONLY INVEST HIM WITH HIS PANOPLY, BUT MAKE HIM LIVING AND INTIMATE TO MODERN EYES": FIRST EDITIONS OF MARLBOROUGH: HIS LIFE AND TIMES; VOLUME THREE INSCRIBED BY WINSTON CHURCHILL
Churchill, Winston S.
Marlborough His Life and Times.
London: George G. Harrap & Company, 1933-38. First editions of each volume. Octavo, 4 volumes, original cloth, with hundreds of maps and plans (many folding), plates and document facsimiles, top edge gilt. Volume 3 is inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “Hailsham from Winston October 1936.” The recipient, Quintin McGarel Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone was an avid conservative and supporter of Churchill. Throughout his long political career, he held the positions of Conservative MP for Oxford and St Marylebone, Chairman of the Conservative Party, Minister of the State of Education and Science, and served two terms as Lord Chancellor between 1970-74 and 1979-87. Hailsham most notably supported Churchill in the significant Norway Debate of May 1940 which directly resulted in the formation of Churchill’s coalition government and his governance of Britain until the end of World War II. Fine in the original dust jackets which are in very good to near fine condition. A very nice association.
Price:
$8,500.00

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