A moment of respect and pride.

[Jeff V]

Absolutely Patrick,

how can a couple of pieces of mass produced, 60 year old camouflage be worth the same as a historical artefact such as this.

In truth It belongs In a museum; as another poster points out there will be International Interest In this so I'm hoping It stays here.

Yours, Guy.

I agree completely! This item should be worth 100 times an ss smock or helmet cover. What a strange world we live in sometimes.
best wishes,
jeff

[christof]

It is a fantastic item !

[tubist73]

Absolutely awe-inspiring. It certainly looks the part but how would you really be able to prove provenance on an item like that?

Although I'm not living in the UK at the moment I certainly hope this stays there for posterity.

Matthew

[Wallace]

A great piece of History and i hope that it stays in the UK.But how can one be absolutely sure that this flag was flown during the battle of Trafalgar??

[Beau Brummel.]

Hi,The reserve is typical of Auctioneers the Country over,this is called "A come and get me reserve",if they posted it at double or treble that, no-one would turn up and expect getting a bargain,just as has happened here,everyone expects a bargain when they turn up,then get caught up in the bidding war and eventually it will find its price in the room and someone will be the lucky owner. What I hope is that the Big Museums in the UK turn out as one and just get it for the Country.
Regards,Ivan.

I realise that Ivan having worked for a fine art auctioneers, however the problem Is this type of thing can work both ways. If the reserve Is TOO low, the trade and any serious collectors start to suspect the auctioneer may know more than he Is letting on, this can stymie the bidding. we will see I suppose.

As regards authenticity, whilst we see and hear a lot of bad things about auctioneers, they will follow up and attempt to substantiate any provenance on an Item of this Import! It Is In their own Interests to do so. I'm hoping It all checks out and that If a museum doesn't get It someone like Mc Alpine does.

Yours, Guy.

[grip3846]

Sold!

My Dear Chap,
Hello Guy,I have never worked for a Fine Art Auctioneers,as you have,but they have received quite a lot of pennies from me to date. I was merely pointing out for the thread that the estimate is definately a come and get me price. As for provenance,well that is something that should come with a piece like this if it is available,if not then CAVEAT EMPTOR!!
Regards,Ivan.

[Patrick Dempsey]

Hi all,

just as an update the final hammer price for this was £320,000. With the buyers premium added the total cost to the winning bidder was £384,000.

The bidder was not present and won the auction via a telephone bid. No further details as to where and whom the bidder is have been published.

[Beau Brummel.]

Good news to see It did so well, someone really wanted It.

Here's hoping It stays here.

Yours, Guy.

[tradesecrets]

Don't know if you've seen the latest - it went to a bidder in the states but they are now saying the culture secretary (yep apparently we have one here in the UK) will deem it to important a piece of British heritage and will refuse an export licence.
If this happens there would be a three month window in which some British institution can buy it if they match the price.

Apparently it flew on HMS Spartiate and the crew after the battle gave the flag to Lieut James Clephan for his leadership during the battle - HMS Spartiate was a captured french 74 gunner and at Trafalgar helped secure the surrender of the spanish ship Neptuno

[The Saint]

Thanks for the updates, gents.