Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  34 STARS, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, 1861-1863, ONE OF ONLY TWO SUCH FLAGS KNOWN TO EXIST

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 68.25" x 92.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 57.75" x 82"
Description....:
34 star American national flag with an extraordinary and beautiful star configuration that rivals the strongest folk designs known to exist. This is one of only two flags in which the maker has attempted to fit a relatively large star count into a single wreath. Mostly all medallion patterns, like this one, employ two or three wreaths with an outlier (single flanking star) in each corner. Note here that there is an oval wreath of 18 stars with four flanking stars in each corner, three of which are arranged in a crescent along the wreath. With the exception of some 13 and 15 star flags, almost all wreath patterns also have a center star, while this flag has none. Some national colors made until military contract, particularly between the Mexican War (1846-1848) and Indian Wars (1866-approx. 1896) period, had medallion designs with open centers where a regimental letter or some pictorial design, such as a state seal, could be sewn or painted. I have never seen a homemade flag, however, such as this one, without at least one center star. Note that the canton of the flag rests on a red stripe instead of a white stripe. Some flag historians refer to this as the ?blood stripe? or the ?war stripe?, suggesting that the flag was sometimes constructed in this manner when the nation was at war. There is also evidence, however, that the Navy used this design feature on at least some of its flags made during the mid-19th century. Kansas was admitted into the Union as the 34th state on January 29th, 1861, about 2 ? months before the Confederate assault on Fort Sumter that marked the beginning of the Civil War. The 34th star was officially added on July 4th of that year, but most flag makers would have added a 34th star with the addition of Kansas in January. The star count remained official until July 4th, 1863, and 34 star flags would have been produced until the addition of West Virginia in June of that year. Mounting: The stripe section of the flag was hand-stitched to 100% silk organza on every seam. Silk organza is a nearly weightless fabric that is entirely natural, very strong, and supports the early fabric of the flag so that stress is minimized when hanging in the frame. Blue wool was placed behind the canton both for support and to mask minor areas of fabric loss. The flag was then hand-sewn to a 100% cotton background, black in color. The black fabric was washed to remove excess dye, and an acid-free, dye-setting agent was added to the wash. The mount is backed with archival material and placed in a black painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The front is u.v. protective plexiglas. Condition: The fly end of the flag has been shortened and re-bound. Some of the original red and white cotton fabric was used behind the stripes to mask fabric loss. Contemporary cotton of similar coloration was used elsewhere for the same purpose. The flag sustained moderate to excessive fabric loss in the expected areas (particularly around the perimeter) from wind damage during its course of use. Contemporary blue wool was used behind the canton for the same purpose. There is minor to moderate foxing and staining throughout. Most of the wool bunting sleeve is absent. Many collectors prefer flags to show their age and history of obvious use.
Collector Level:
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 34
Earliest Date of Origin: 1861
Latest Date of Origin: 1863
State/Affiliation: Kansas
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: No
 

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