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  1865 ABRAHAM LINCOLN MOURNING BROADSIDE DEPICTING A RED AND BLACK STRIPED FLAG, 1865

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 8.5" x 10.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 5.25" x 7.75"
Description....:
1865 ABRAHAM LINCOLN MOURNING BROADSIDE DEPICTING A RED AND BLACK STRIPED FLAG, 1865:

34 star paper broadside with an illustration of a Civil War era flag, made to mourn Lincoln's death following his 1865 assassination. These handheld flyers were probably distributed as services were held in memoriam and the funeral train made its procession to Illinois. The train made a wide tour with his body before he was laid to rest, and mourners waved all manner of flags in respect of his great service to our nation.

This broadside is related to a group of rare paper mourning flags and fliers. The unusual star configuration in the canton of this flag is nearly identical to that on two of the other known varieties. The weight of the paper and printing are also alike. One of the group is stamped "Lybrand". Though my research has not turned up anything about the name, this was probably the printer.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this particular example is the presence of black stripes instead of white, in addition to the tassel, to indicate mourning.

A known variety similar to this one uses the exact same image with the words "A Nation Mourns a Martyred Father" printed underneath.

Mounting: The paint-decorated and gilded molding dates to the period between 1840 and 1860. This is a sandwich mount between 100% cotton and U.V. protective acrylic. The black fabric has been 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.

Condition: Excellent.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type:
Star Count: 34
Earliest Date of Origin: 1861
Latest Date of Origin: 1863
State/Affiliation: Kansas
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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