Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  13 STARS, MADE BY THE GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER OF BETSY ROSS, SARAH M. WILSON

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 19.5" x 24.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 9.5" x 15.5"
Description....:
13 STARS, MADE BY THE GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER OF BETSY ROSS, SARAH M. WILSON, IN PHILADELPHIA, CIRCA 1898-1912: 13 star American national flag, made by the great-granddaughter of Betsy Ross, Sarah M. Wilson. Betsy's granddaughter, Rachael Albright, and Wilson made these little flags together in the East Wing of Independence Hall, Philadelphia. They began a cottage industry making flags in the late 1890's, selling them to tourists or gifting them to persons who financially supported the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association. Rachael and Sarah proudly claimed that this is what the first flag looked like, but no hard evidence exists to substantiate it. No one knows precisely what the star configuration was on the first flag, but it is unlikely that it had a perfect circle of stars. Of the very few Colonial examples that still exist, none have survived with this pattern. Further, as I have never seen an example in this style that dates prior to the 1890's. The stripes of this flag are constructed of silk ribbon and are hand-sewn with the kind of remarkable precision seen in the best early needle work examples. Five pointed, silk stars are embroidered on a brilliant, blue silk canton, and there is a hand sewn cotton sleeve. Among the flags made by Wilson and Albright, this is very large in scale. The cost of this larger size to sightseers would probably have been significantly more than the smaller flags, or required a more substantial donation. I have owned one other in this rare, large size, but it was probably made by Albright, based on a clear difference in the stars, which were smaller and less elaborate. The stars on this Wilson example are larger, more detailed, and have better visual qualities. These flags are extremely easy to identify because they are so distinctive and because there is nothing else like them made in this period. All of the flags made by Albright and Wilson are nearly identical in many respects, but there are some variations. On rare occasion they have tiny, hand-sewn grommets. Some of the sleeves are wider, while some are more narrow, yet the construction is otherwise the virtually the same on every example I have seen. Size can vary, but those measuring approximately 4" x 7" and 5.5" x 9.5" are most common. This large, 9.5" x 15.5" flag is very rare and the condition is excellent, with few splits, no fabric loss, and no bleeding. Each flag made by Wilson and Albright came with a note or a signature. This one is accompanied by a paper note that reads: Miss Sarah M. Wilson Great-Granddaughter of Betsy Ross East Wing of Independence Hall On the reverse of the signature card is a note from the woman who purchased the flag, who must have sent it home after acquiring it so that the flag didn't get damaged during the duration of her trip. This reads: I have this flag sent to you to keep for me until I return. Am only here for a few hours. Lovingly, Jennie B. One of these small flags appears on the Betsy Ross House website (http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/house/room9.html). A signed example is picture in "The Stars and the Stripes" by Mastai, 1973, p. 228. I have owned flags signed by or with notes from each of these two women, who appear to have stopped making flags of this kind sometime around 1912-1915. Mounting: The flag and the accompanying note have been pressure mounted between 100% cotton velvet and u.v. protective plexiglas. The velvet was washed to reduce excess dye and an acid-free agent was added to the was to further set the dye. White silk was placed behind the flag and note as a barrier for further protection. The mount was then placed in an outstanding gilded molding that dates to the 1830-1870 period. Condition: There are some minor splits but no accompanying fabric loss. The state of preservation is remarkable.
Collector Level:
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1898
Latest Date of Origin: 1915
State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies
War Association:
Price: No
 

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