The Secret Museum and the San Ildefonso ensign

[anteros_lmc]

Over the last week there have a been a number of reviews and articles in the UK press about a book by Molly Oldfield called The Secret Museum. The book is described as "a unique treasure trove of the most intriguing artifacts hidden away in museum archives from all over the world". From the articles I've read, one of the most stunning artefacts featured is the ensign of the Spanish 74 San Ildefonso which was captured at Trafalgar by HMS Defence, 74, Captain Sir George Johnstone Hope. The ensign was hung in St Paul's for Nelson's funeral and subsequently donated to Greenwich Hospital and the National Maritime Museum where it remains in storage. The flag, which is 33 by 38 feet, was hung from the parapet of the Queen's House in 1962 to be photographed! The NMM are rather more careful with their ensigns these days, and this time they unfurled it on the floor to be photographed for Oldfield's book.




Look at the size of the thing! Isn't it incredible?!

NMM Catalogue Entry: http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/567.html, includes a picture of the ensign hanging from Queen's House.
Telegraph Review: Museums' Hidden Treasures
Amazon: The Secret Museum