CIVIL WAR “ALBANY ZOUAVE CADETS” BATTLE FLAG.

Beautiful archival framed 35-star wool bunting flag with a double applique hand sewn gold letters “AZC” on middle stripe & large double applique hand sewn “A” centered among 2 concentric rings of 3.75" double. applique hand sewn 5-pointed cotton stars. The Albany Zouave cadets were formed in response to the popularity of Elmer Ellsworth Zouaves in 1860 & were incorporated into Company A, 10th New York State Militia (National Guard). In 1861 the unit was mustered into the 177th NY & saw service at Port Hudson. They left New York in December 1862 & returned September 1863. 35-Star flag became official July 4, 1863 with West Virginia becoming a state while stationed in Louisiana. Accompanied by a Howard Madaus research letter & drawing. A large archive of material concerning this unit is housed at the New York State Library for further research. CONDITION: not removed from frame but appears very good overall, blue fading, some reductions & contemporary repairs, backing on top red stripe where frayed toward fly. Scattered staining & soiling. Pressure mounting with plexiglass, frame measures 95x66". PROVENANCE: ex-Harlan Crow collection, Dallas, TX. (02-13990/JS). $20,000-25,000.