Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
Sold Flags



  36 STARS, 1864-1867, CIVIL WAR, RANDOM STAR PATTERN, THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 29.75" x 39.75"
Flag Size (H x L): 19.5" x 29.5"
Description....:
36 STARS, 1864-1867, CIVIL WAR ERA, THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE WITH A COMPLETELY RANDOM CONFIGURATION OF STARS AROUND A SINGLE, LARGE CENTER STAR: 36 star American national parade flag, printed on wool bunting, with an extremely rare configuration of stars. This is comprised of a large center star, surrounded by a completely random scattering of smaller stars. This is the only known example, although there is another flag from the same maker with 35 stars. It is exactly like this flag except that one star is absent along the fly end of the canton. While it is not uncommon for 19th century parade flags to have stars that vary in their vertical alignment (point in various directions), it is very rare for a parade flag to have stars that have completely random placement with no semblance of rows or columns. Only one other printed flag is known with a random star pattern, a small flag with 13 stars, which brings the grand total to three known examples. The fact that it is printed on wool, the least common parade flag fabric, is also unusual. Printed wool flags were more durable and often saw extended use vs. their cotton and silk counterparts. The 36th state, Nevada, entered the Union during the Civil War on October 31st, 1864. The last Confederate general surrendered on May 26th, 1865. The 36 star flag became official on July 4th of that year, but makers of printed flags would have begun adding a 36th star to their flags in 1864, even before the addition of the new state occurred. Lincoln pushed Nevada through just 8 days before the November election to increase his support. While the population of the state was quite small, its primary industry was silver mining and the political alignment was generally Republican. the 36 star flag was replaced by the 37 star flag in 1867, with the addition of Nebraska. Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched stitched to a background of 100% black cotton twill. The background fabric was washed and heat-treated to remove excess dye and an acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye. Cotton and wool fabric of similar coloration has been placed behind the stripes to mask and support damaged areas. The flag was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The front is u.v. protective plexiglas. Condition: The stripe area of the flag has a significant fabric loss. Fabric of similar coloration was placed behind this during the mounting process. The flag's great rarity warrants almost any condition, and many collectors prefer early flags to show their age and obvious history of use.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 36
Earliest Date of Origin: 1864
Latest Date of Origin: 1867
State/Affiliation: Nevada
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: No
 

Views: 2511