Rare Canadian flag on auction block
Last Updated: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 | 3:12 PM ET
The Canadian Press
The presale estimate for the Canadian Red Ensign flag is $40,000 to $60,000, not including the buyer's premium. (Sotheby's Canada) A rare 1868 Canadian Red Ensign flag will hit the auction block this summer.
Sotheby's Canada says the item will be in its June 2 sale of important Canadian art in Toronto. The auction house said the vibrant red flag is in "exceptional condition" after being in a private collection for many years.
It measures about one metre by two metres and bears the Union Jack and the coats of arms of the four founding provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec.
The presale estimate is $40,000 to $60,000, not including the buyer's premium.
The original Red Ensign was primarily a flag for the British merchant marine. The Canadian version became widely recognized as Canada's first national flag.
In 1924, the Canadian Red Ensign was given official recognition. It remained Canada's official flag until the current maple leaf design was adopted in 1965.
Ontario's official flag is another version of the Red Ensign.
