American flag from the War of 1812

Comprising four conjoined blue bunting strips with fifteen appliquéd five-point stars, it was used by Capt. Thomas Brown, one of the Captains during the extraordinary 'Lake Actions', an event which prompted the British to burn Washington and the White House in vengeance. 

It was secured by a European collector in 1998 from a US book dealer to whom the Brown family had sold it.

It will go under the hammer at maritime specialist Charles Miller Ltd in London where it will be offered on May 1.

Estimate: £18,000-25,000.

Contact: 0207 8065530.