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  Fantastic 35 Star American Flag -- Great Star Configuration -- Denison Family

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L):
Flag Size (H x L): 25.5" x 38.75"
Description....:
Hand-sewn, 35 star American National Flag with a rare and highly desired great star configuration. The flag is small in size, which is also unusual. Most 19th century flags are larger than 8 feet, making them impractical for most people to display indoors. Accompanying this flag is a note written in a period ink pen on two canning jar labels. It reads as follows: "Made in 1865 by Caroline Denison Spencer and her sister, Emily Denison Morey. They were finished just before Lincoln's Death and were [sic] by black ribbon on that occasion." The canton and stripes are constructed of finely stitched silk, while the stars that are embroidered with gold silk thread. Seldom do sewn, silk, Civil War flags come available on the market, especially one of this size and quality. Many battle flags were constructed of silk in a similar manner, except usually with gold painted stars, but these are far and few between outside museums. Silk flags like this one were certainly made in fewer quantities and seldom survived. Among collectors, the great star configuration is the most coveted of all 19th century geometric patterns. Shortly after the War of 1812, naval hero Captain Samuel Reid suggested to the president that this design should be considered the official star pattern. He did so because of his concern that the flag needed to be more recognizable on the open seas, which was the primary reason for the American ensign in the first place. Reid's proposal was rejected due to the increased cost of arranging the stars in this manner. Never-the-less, since there was no official star pattern, the great star was produced by anyone willing to make it. Its rarity today, along with its beauty, has driven the desirability of American flags with this configuration. West Virginia was admitted into the Union during the Civil War on June 20th, 1863. The 35 star flag was official from July 4th of that year until July 3rd, 1865, but the addition of another state in 1864 caused some flag makers to cease production of 35 star flags in favor of the new star count. The military, having already acquired ample stock of 35 star flags, used them for the balance of the war. Mounting: The price of the flag includes proper conservation framing. For an additional cost it can be encased in a museum quality, ultra violet light protective, acrylic box. It can also be framed in a traditional molding. Condition: There is moderate breakdown in the silk material throughout the flag, particularly in the stripe area, and there are a number of finely stitched repairs. The extreme rarity warrants such condition.
Collector Level:
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: No
 

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