Fall 2024 Militaria & Collectibles Auction
Lot 163:
Description
Original flag, approximately 68 x 117 inches in size. It has HMS Warspite 6 Jun 1944 stenciled on it upside down. Comes with a copied Rungee collection inventory sheet. Good condition but does have some staining throughout from use. The HMS Warspite participated in the Battle of Jutland in WWI, supported the Allied Invasions of Sicily and Italy, and then supported British Troops landing on Sword Beach on June 6th, 1944, firing over 300 shells in one day. This was from the former Dr. Clarence Rungee Flag Collection. Dr. Clarence Rungee was born in New Haven, CT and was a veteran of WWI. Following his wartime service, he served as the National Surgeon of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was the National Historian of the Veterans of World War I. From the 1940’s until his death in 1971, Dr. Rungee amassed a collection of over 600 worldwide flags for his International War Flag Museum. Dr. Rungee did not seek out any ordinary flag, as he specifically wanted those with a notable story or which were flown during a war. Accompanying many of the flags are original transmittal letters or copied records from the various sources adding documented provenance to their historical significance. Following his death, the flags were donated to the Flag Heritage Foundation, where they remained until being deaccessioned to a single collection, largely untouched until now. Examples from this collection include flags flown atop warships at WWII battles such as the D-Day Invasion of Normandy in 1944 and the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. Others were used by Presidents and Royal Sovereigns from various nations around the world, or flew atop State and National Capitol buildings during World Wars or notable events. Of note, Dr., Rungee befriended Admiral Nimitz, who ordered that rather than destroy Naval flown flags, the Navy should send them to Dr. Rungee for his museum.
Condition: See description for notes on condition. Please note that all items are sold as is without returns, so please ask questions in advance of bidding.
Share this lot:
