[Rarebooks] FS: 1898 History of John Paul Jones' American Flag

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

TITLE: “History of the Flag of the U.S. Frigate, the Bon Homme Richard,
owned by the late Miss Sarah Smith Stafford, and willed by her to her
brother, Samuel Bayard Stafford”

Printed in Boston by the Press of E.B. Stillings & Co. in 1898.

DISCUSSION: An interesting pamphlet telling the history of the Stars and
Stripes flag flown by John Paul Jones on the ‘Bon Homme Richard’ when it
famously fought the ‘Serapis’, and later flown by Jones when he commanded
the American frigate ‘Alliance’.

The story the pamphlet tells is this- in the month preceding Jones’ battle
with the ‘Serapis’, an American armed ship named the ‘Kitty’, commanded by
Captain Philip Stafford, had been captured by a British naval vessel, and
her crew placed in irons. A short time later the British vessel was
herself captured by the ‘Bon Homme Richard’ and the American crew
released. Most of them, including Captain Stafford’s nephew, James Bayard
Stafford, joined the crew of the ‘Richard’. James Stafford, “being
educated” was made an officer on the ‘Richard’. During the action with the
‘Serapis’ the mast which the flag flew from was broken and plunged into
the ocean, and Lieutenant Stafford (as he then was) dove in and recovered
the flag. Lt. Stafford served through the war, having more hair-raising
adventures (some told here), and in 1784, when the ‘Alliance’ was
decommissioned, the Jones’ flag was presented to him.

It was passed down in the family, and had many adventures itself, which
are also recounted here.

An uncommon pamphlet.

DESCRIPTION: Softcover. 5.75”x9”, 12 pages, 1 black & white plate.

CONDITION NOTES: Minor wear, light soil, some slight splitting along the
spine fold, but otherwise clean and nice.

PRICE: $100-

SOME PICTURES =>

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