Pawn Stars: Teddy Roosevelt's RARE Rough Riders Flag! (Season 9)

Summary

In this engaging script, Erik presents a piece of the flag from Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, claiming it was carried up San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War. He seeks $8,000 for the rare historical item, which includes a handwritten note from a soldier. Rick consults with Mark, an expert, who doubts its direct involvement in the famous battle due to the absence of explicit battle usage in the note. Despite its historical significance, Mark refuses to offer a price, differing from Erik's valuation.

Takeaways

• 🇺🇸 Erik presents a piece of flag and photos that he claims were from Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders and were carried up San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War.
• 🏹 The flag is said to be a guidon, which signifies the unit of the Rough Riders, and is believed to be from Company F or Troop F.
• 💰 Erik is asking for $8,000 for the piece, stating that it's a rare item associated with Teddy Roosevelt and that the price is negotiable.
• 📜 Erik provides a handwritten note from the individual who was given the piece of the flag, which was a common practice for soldiers to take souvenirs from flags during wars.
• 🎖 Teddy Roosevelt was an Undersecretary of the Navy in 1898 and played a significant role in starting the Spanish-American War, which is part of the historical significance of the item.
• 🤔 Rick consults with Mark to verify the authenticity and historical accuracy of the flag piece, as Mark is an expert in such items.
• 🤷‍♂️ Mark raises concerns about the flag's direct involvement in the battle at San Juan Hill, noting that the Rough Riders were on foot and not carrying guidons during the battle.
• 📝 The note with the flag mentions the battles the Rough Riders were engaged in, but Mark points out that it doesn't explicitly state that the guidon was used in battle.
• 🚫 Mark decides not to make an offer on the flag piece, as he believes it did not go up San Juan Hill and therefore is not worth the asking price.
• 💭 Erik disagrees with Mark's assessment, trusting the word of the person who was there and believes the flag did go up San Juan Hill.
• 🔍 Despite the disagreement, the script highlights the importance of provenance and authenticity in the valuation of historical artifacts.

Q & A

What is the significance of the flag mentioned in the script?

The flag mentioned in the script is significant because it is a piece of the flag carried by Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, specifically at the famous Battle of San Juan Hill.

What is a 'guidon' in the context of military units?

A 'guidon' is a type of flag used in military units to signify the unit's identity. It is not the national flag but rather the company or troop flag.

How long was Teddy Roosevelt associated with the Rough Riders?

Teddy Roosevelt was associated with the Rough Riders for about a year.

What is the asking price for the piece of the flag mentioned in the script?

The asking price for the piece of the flag is $8,000, but Erik mentions that it is negotiable.

What was the common practice regarding flags in the military during the Civil War and the Spanish-American War?

The common practice was to 'souvenir out' flags in the military, meaning certain people would get a piece of the flag as a memento.

Why did Teddy Roosevelt resign from his position as Undersecretary of the Navy?

Teddy Roosevelt resigned from his position to lead volunteers into war, as he wanted to gain experience and recognition that could help him become president one day.

What is the term 'Rough Riders' derived from?

The term 'Rough Riders' was taken from Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show, which was called the Congress of Rough Riders.

Why does Mark question the authenticity of the flag being used in the Battle of San Juan Hill?

Mark questions the authenticity because the note does not explicitly state that the flag was used in battle. It only lists the battles the troop was engaged in.

What is Corey's reaction to the flag not being offered for sale?

Corey expresses disappointment because he would have been willing to pay a lot of money for the flag if it was confirmed to have gone up San Juan Hill.

Why does Erik disagree with Mark's assessment that the flag probably did not go up San Juan Hill?

Erik disagrees because the note states that the flag was engaged at the battles, including San Juan, and he trusts the word of someone who was there over someone who was not.

What is Rick's final decision regarding the purchase of the flag?

Rick decides not to make an offer on the flag because he does not believe it went up San Juan Hill and does not think it is worth the asking price of $8,000.