| CONFEDERATE FLAG IN THE THIRD NATIONAL FORMAT, PRODUCED IN THE EARLY PART OF THE REUNION ERA, circa 1890 - 1913 |
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| Web ID: | fcj-935 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 13.5" x 17.25" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 6" x 10.25" |
| Description: | |
| Confederate flags were seldom produced in the interim between the war's end (1865) and the mid-1880's. The first parade flags in Confederate national designs appeared in the last two decades of the 19th century, when the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) and the United Confederate Veterans (UCV) formed. These two organizations were founded in 1884 and 1889, respectively, and served as the primary post-war organizations for Confederate soldiers and their families. Examples of the early reunion era that have survived to the present day are few and far between. This particular flag, in the third Confederate national pattern, dates to the earlier part of the reunion era, between roughly 1890 and the 50th anniversary of Gettysburg in 1913, which marked the first blue-grey reunion. Block-printed on coarse cotton, it would have been produced for use by either of the aforementioned organizations. Note in particular the crude nature of the printing in the misplacement of the wooden blocks, possibly covered in felt or leather, that were used to accomplish this task, as well as the crude weave of the cloth itself. Both of these traits contribute to the translation of the flag’s age, in a visual sense, and thus its attractiveness as an antique object. The same can be said of the banister-turned, 19th century frame that I elected to present it in, which has extraordinary, early surface and fit the textile precisely in more ways than one. The frame dates to the period between 1830 and the 1850’s and is thus significantly earlier than the flag itself. Due to widespread poverty in the South, brought about by the war and its aftermath, as well as the much shorter period of the organized veterans' movement, far less merchandise was produced for Southern veterans than for their Union counterparts. It is of great interest to note that while the war ended so soon after its adoption, the third national Confederate design was produced and remained popular throughout the reunion era. In addition to its age, the attractive nature the strong color of this particular flag and its aforementioned graphics, contribute to its desirability. Brief History of Confederate Flag Design: The Confederate States of America (CSA) adopted three successive national flag designs between 1861-1865. The first of these looked much like the Stars & Stripes. Nicknamed the "Stars & Bars" by Confederate soldiers, as a play on the nickname of the American national flag, this was adopted by the CSA legislature on March 4th, 1861, when in session at the temporary capitol of Montgomery, Alabama. The flag initially consisted of 7 white stars arranged on a blue canton and three linear bars in red-white-red. The star count reflected the initial wave of secession, which occurred approximately one month prior, on February 7th, in conjunction with the adoption of the CSA’s provisional constitution. As more states seceded, more stars were added, with a total of 11 seceding in an official manner, ratified, when required, by popular or legislative vote. The count of 11 was retained from roughly May of 1861 until late November, when the States of Missouri and Kentucky were formally accepted by Confederate President Jefferson Davis and the CSA legislature, in spite of being Border States with more divided views and without formal achievement of secession. Use of the Stars & Stripes and the Stars & Bars on the same battlefield led to great confusion, precipitating change to something far easier to distinguish. The Southern Cross battle flag began to be introduced in the late fall of 1861. Though the Confederate legislature refused to sanction the design, it was approved at the field level by Confederate General Joe Johnston, who refused to permit his men to continue to be killed by friendly fire, mistaking their own flags for Union Army banners. Many people are surprised to learn that the most widely recognized Confederate design was never actually the national flag of the CSA. In rectangular format it did officially serve as the Confederate Navy Jack, displayed when a CSA ship was at port or anchor. It square format, it soon began to be called “Confederate battle flag,” however, of the “Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia,” because it was first carried by the much-loved General Robert E. Lee and his army of that name. Though many flag designs were used in the South, the Southern Cross battle flag was thereafter adopted in many variants, some square, some rectangular, in every state throughout the Confederacy. The CSA adopted a second national flag design on May 26th, 1863. Known as the Stainless Banner, it was white in color, with the Southern Cross adopted to serve as its canton. Soldiers and officers disliked this design because it looked too much like a surrender flag, especially if a unit that was carrying it head-on with no cross wind. The myth became that, given the opportunity, soldiers would dip the fly end of the stainless banner in blood, the first chance it had to do so. The reality, however, was that there was practically no use of this flag by ground forces. It did, however, see some use at sea. 36 days before the war’s end a red vertical bar was added at the fly end and the result became the third national design. This was called the “blood stained banner”, but officially the red did not represent blood. Rather it paid homage to France, which lent aid to the South during the war, because if one were to replace the first third of the third Confederate national flag with a vertical blue bar, the result would be the French tri-color, the national flag of France. Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton twill, black in color, which was washed to reduce 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 bannister-turned molding of the 1830-1850 era, with exceptional, early surface. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is U.V. protective. Condition: In addition to the crude printing, there is minor pigment transfer and modest to moderate soiling, mostly in the lower half of the flag and in the upper, hoist end corner. There is minor fraying and very minor fading. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts |
| Flag Type: | Parade flag |
| Star Count: | 13 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1890 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1913 |
| State/Affiliation: | The Confederacy |
| War Association: | 1861-1865 Civil War |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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