At auction: Rare letter setting stage for 'Star-Spangled Banner'

As Baltimore celebrates the 200th anniversary of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner next week, a rare letter from the commander of Fort McHenry setting the stage for getting the flag honored in song by Francis Scott Key will be on the auction block just up the Chesapeake Bay.

Alexander Historical Auctions of Chesapeake City, Md., is offering the historic letter from Capt. George Armistead, the so-called “Defender of Fort McHenry,” at its Sept. 9-10 online auction. It could bring $30,000 or more.