Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  36 STARS, POSSIBLY WITH ONE STAR ADDED, CIVIL WAR ERA, 1863-1867,ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN, A HOMEMADE EXAMPLE IN THE STYLE OF A UNION BATTLE FLAG, WITH A TALL AND NARROW CANTON

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 60.75" x 77.75"
Flag Size (H x L): 56" x 66.5"
Description....:
36 STARS, POSSIBLY WITH ONE STAR ADDED, CIVIL WAR ERA, 1863-1867,ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN, A HOMEMADE EXAMPLE IN THE STYLE OF A UNION BATTLE FLAG, WITH A TALL AND NARROW CANTON:

36 star American national flag of the Civil War period, entirely hand-sewn and made of a fine merino wool or wool and silk blended fabric. The most notable features in this homemade flag can be found in its canton, which has striking royal blue coloration. Much taller than it is long, this vertical format isn't often seen in homemade flags, but it is a characteristic that is shared with many Union infantry battle flags of the period, which are also, like this flag, nearer-to-square in their overall proportions. Some homemade flags are made in this style, but they are the exception, as most flags maintain a more traditional, elongated shape. There were no official proportions until 1912, so just about anything can be encountered, especially in homemade designs.

Also note the orientation of the stars, which point in all different directions and are haphazardly placed, which adds a strong visual element.

The size of the flag and its late war to post-war date (1864 -67) suggests that it may have been made to be presented to a unit that lost or was forced to retire its colors due to degradation, yet it could also have been made for a unit that mustered in late in the war, or simply produced for civilian use with general patriotic intent.

The stitching used to join the stripes is quite fine, but the stars are rather crudely cut and appliqued. Each star was applied with approximately 11 stitches, including one at the center, one at each of the vortexes, and one at each point. Applique work is far harder than piecework, so it is not too much of a surprise to encounter this manner of construction, particularly in a flag that was made by someone who was not regularly employed in the task. The hoist is bound with a length of white cotton twill tape on the obverse and there are three sets of ties. The ones at the top and middle are red, white, and blue and are probably original, while the bottom set appears to have been replaced during the course of its use.

All-in-all, a beautiful example of a homemade Civil War flag with bold form and great, saturated colors, in excellent condition and with great folk attributes.

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, it was a free state and its 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 to 100% silk organza on every seam and throughout the star field. The flag was then hand-sewn to background of 100% cotton, black in color, which has been 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 flag was then placed in a black-painted and hand-gilded, contemporary Italian molding. The front is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: There are only very minor holes and the one replaced tie. This is simply an exceptional state of preservation for a wool flag of the Civil war era with wool content; a virtual 10-out-of-10.
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: SOLD
 

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