NEW YORK—Jeff R. Bridgman is a leading expert and dealer of historic American flags and political textiles. He has attracted big name clients such as Ralph Lauren, Martha Stewart, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Barbara Streisand, who bought flags as gifts for Bill Clinton and Bill Gates.

Bridgman’s sale exhibit opens today in Manhattan, and with midterm elections coming up, a dash of patriotism is rather timely. You’ll find Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques among other vendors at the Antiques & Art at the Armory fair, which opens today at the Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue (between 66th and 67th Streets), running from Sept. 29 through Oct. 3.

Once an avid tag-sale hunter, buying and selling items on his summer break, Bridgman is now sought after to provide objects with both strong design components and compelling history.

“For the advanced collector, who is only going to buy one spectacular, masterpiece flag, this is it,� said Bridgman, referring to a flag made entirely of silk with 35, hand-embroidered, silk stars in three different sizes, the configuration is called the Great Star or Great Luminary pattern. At 40.5� x 58.5� this Civil War period (1863-65) flag is unusually small for the 19th century, but big enough to make a dramatic statement. The price is $55,000.

“This flag is the perfect combination of dynamic graphics, color, construction and condition,� said Bridgman.

How Bridgman Got Started

Jeff Bridgman launched his business in 1990, during a summer break, while attending graduate school. He scoured yard sales, flea markets, and country auctions, doubling his money on 50 cent items. “I also bought furniture,� said Bridgman. "I'd buy something for $25, refinish it and sell it for $75. That was a big score."

About two years later, at the urging of a friend, he moved up to shows. "I didn't know anything about the antique show circuit. I picked the first one in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, because I liked the ads," he admitted. When he began making enough money as an Americana dealer, he quit his health care research job and went to more and more fairs. At one in Nashville, Tenn. he happened to see two small, framed, 19th-century printed flags.

"I didn't buy them, but I was struck by them and the price. I thought they were cheap for something so graphic and historically important," he said. Today, with 600 plus antiques shows under his belt and an inventory of more than 1,500 antique Stars & Stripes, he is the leading authority on the subject.

Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques is located in historic York County, Pennsylvania, or visit him online at www.JeffBridgman.com.

FLAG MASTERPIECE: At $55,000, this 35-star (1863-65) Civil War period flag would be the defining piece for an advanced collector. (Courtesy of Jeff Bridgman American Antiques)