Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE: 35 STARS, MEDALLION w/ 2 ODD OUTLIERS,1863-65, CIVIL WAR

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 46" x 71"
Flag Size (H x L): 35.5" x 61"
Description....:
THE ONLY EXAMPLE KNOWN OF ITS KIND: 35 STARS IN A DOUBLE-WREATH MEDALLION PATTERN WITH TWO ODD OUTLIERS, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, 1863-65, WEST VIRGINIA STATEHOOD:

35 star American national flag, press-dyed on wool bunting and the only one known in this exact form. The stars are arranged in a medallion configuration that is comprised of two wreaths of stars, surrounding a larger, upside-down center star, and there is a flanking star in each corner of the navy blue canton. But the very odd feature, which sets this flag apart from other known examples, is the presence of 2 additional stars outside the outermost wreath, above and below the corner stars, respectively, on the fly-end side. I have never before seen this particular style, which makes it unique, as far as I know, in flag collecting.

It is easy to see why this design probably started out with 33 stars, with the two odd stars subsequently added to update the star count to 34 then 35. Note how the additional stars are slightly different in size, one smaller and one noticeable larger. But an important related fact is that I have never seen this style of flag with either 33 or 34 stars, let alone 35, so it could be the only surviving example of the series that was likely produced between the years 1859 and 1864 or 65.

This time period is an interesting one in American History, because it encompassed the years immediately preceding Lincoln's 1860 election and the 1861 outbreak of the Civil War, through the four years of the war, until its end in 1865. The 35th state was West Virginia, which broke away from Virginia during the war in 1863. Even though it joined the Union and was not a slave state, West Virginia would become a border state that was generally sympathetic to the Southern cause.

With regard to its star configuration, the flag has another interesting feature. Note how the stars in the two wreaths are basically aligned with propose, each having a point that faces outward toward the perimeter, but at a slight angle, roughly in the 1:00 position. This gives the stars some rotating motion. In rather stark contrast, however, note how the 6 outlying stars, and the large center star, point in a variety of directions. This lends the flag a significant amount of folk character, especially because these 7 stars appear in no less than four different sizes.

Brief History of Press-Dyed Flags

First patented in 1849, the press-dying process was initially thought to be a novel idea that would improve flag-making efficiency. The reality, however, was that it was often less effective and efficient than sewing. To achieve white stars, for example, pieces of waxed fabric or paper in the shape of stars had to be cut out and carefully placed on both sides of the white wool bunting. The bunting was then dyed blue, and when done properly, the areas where the material was placed would not absorb the dye and thus be left white. The same process was repeated to make the red stripes. Also called resist-dyeing, one can imagine why this task may have been anything but simple with 19th century technology.

In regard to wool flags, the process was primarily used during the Centennial-era by the U.S. Bunting Company of Lowell, Massachusetts, which began making press-dyed flags for the U.S. military in 1869. The U.S. Bunting Co. was one of the first flag-makers to successfully produce high quality wool bunting in the States, and while its owners worked diligently to master the press-dyeing process, it seems quite obvious today that it was actually more costly than expected, because it never become a popular method of flag production. This inexact art of resist-dyeing would often add crude characteristics, such as stripes with irregular lines, in various widths, and stars with inconsistent shapes, in slightly varying sizes. It is likely that this resulted in lost product and wasted time, from flags that had bleeding or misprint issues and were of too poor quality to sell. But within those flags that survived, today's collectors today find the irregularities interesting, not only because they demonstrates early production methods, but also because they lends the sort of folk qualities that make early flags more interesting to look at.

Mounting: The flag was sewn to 100% silk for support, with stitches run down every stripe and throughout the star field. Red taffeta was chosen for this purpose so that it could serve a dual function by masking losses in the red stripes. Fabric of similar coloration was placed behind the white stripes and blue canton for the same purpose. The flag was then hand-sewn to a background of 100% cotton twill, black in color. The black fabric was washed to remove excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. The mount was then placed in a black painted, hand gilded and distressed, contemporary Italian molding. The front is u.v. protective plexiglas.

Condition: There are minor holes, primarily at the fly end, accompanied by more significant loss at the far fly end of the first red stripe. Most of these were masked during the mounting process. There are tiny rust stains surrounding tiny holes along the hoist end, where metal tacks were used to affix the flag to a wooden staff, and there is minor staining throughout. The overall condition is excellent, however, considering both the Civil War date and the extreme rarity of the flag as the only known example. In addition, many collectors prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 35
Earliest Date of Origin: 1863
Latest Date of Origin: 1865
State/Affiliation: West Virginia
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: Sold
 

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