America’s first 50-star flag, designed and sewn by a Saginaw native, is up for grabs in an eBay Internet auction.

Designer Robert G. Heft seeks at least $250,000 for his original work.

“What I would like to do is donate it, but I’m not in a position to do that,” Heft told The Saginaw News for a Wednesday story. “If I was filthy rich, that’s what I would do.”

The 10-day auction ends Monday and also includes several letters, a related photo of President Ronald Reagan and photos of celebrities including Bob Hope and Johnny Carson.

By early Thursday, the flag had received no bids but hundreds of hits.

Heft, 63, now of Thomas Township in Saginaw County, made the flag in 1958 as part of a high school history project in Lancaster, Ohio. He spent more than 12 hours sewing the design at his mother’s Singer sewing machine.

Posted: 08|25|05 at 10:51 am. Filed under: US News.