| 13 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION OF STARS; A SMALL-SCALE EXAMPLE, MADE circa 1895-1926 |
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| Web ID: | 13j-1356 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | Approx. 35" x 46.5" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 23.5" x 35" |
| Description: | |
| This 13 star antique American flag is of a type made during the last decade of the 19th century through the beginning of the 20th. The stars are arranged in a medallion configuration that features a single center star, surrounded by a wreath of stars, with a flanking star in each corner of the canton. The canton and stripes of the flag are made of wool bunting that has been pieced with machine stitching. The stars are made of cotton and double-appliquéd (applied to both sides of the flag) with a zigzag machine stitch. There is a twill cotton binding along the hoist with 2 white metal grommets. Along this are two black-inked stencils or stamps that read “Standard.” and “2 x 3,” to indicate in feet. Standard is a name brand of the maker and would have designated the grade of wool bunting, the type of binding, and other factors of the flag’s construction. Why 13 Stars? As the number of stars grew with the addition of new states, it became more and more difficult to fit their full complement on a small flag. The stars would, by necessity, have to become smaller, which made it more and more difficult to view them from a distance as individual objects. The fear was that too many stars would become one white mass and distort the ability to identify American ships on the open seas. The U.S. Navy used 13 stars on its small-scale flags for precisely this reason. This was, of course, the original number of stars on the first American national flag, by way of the First Flag Act of 1777, and equal to the number of original colonies that became states. For all practical purposes, commercial flag-makers simply didn't produce flags with pieced-and-sewn construction that were 3 to 4 feet in length before the 1890's. There are exceptions to this rule, but until this time, the smallest sewn flags were typically 6 feet on the fly. The primary use had long been more utilitarian than decorative, and flags needed to be large to be effective as signals. Private use grew with the passage of time, however, which led to the need for long-term use flags of more manageable scale. Beginning around 1890, flag-makers began to produce small flags for the first time in large quantities, namely with dimensions of 2 x 3 feet, like this example, and 2.5 x 4 feet. Applying the same logic as the U.S. Navy, they chose the 13 star count rather than the full complement of stars for sake of ease and visibility. Any flag that has previously been official remains so according to the flag acts, so 13 star flags remain official national flags of the United States of America. The 13 star count has been used throughout our nation's history for a variety of purposes. In addition to being flown by the Navy, 13 star flags were hoisted at patriotic events, including Lafayette’s visit in 1824-25, the celebration of the nation's centennial in 1876, and the sesquicentennial in 1926, as well as for annual celebrations of Independence Day. They were displayed during the Civil War, to reference past struggles for American liberty, and were used by 19th century politicians in political campaigning. The use of yachting ensigns with a wreath of 13 stars surrounding a fouled anchor, which allowed pleasure boats to bypass customs between 1848 and 1980, persists today without an official purpose. Mounting: For 25 years we have maintained our own textile conservation department, led by a master’s degree level graduate from one of the nation’s top programs. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples. The flag was mounted and framed by us in-house. It has been hand-stitched to 100% silk organza throughout (flat-lined) for support. It was then hand-stitched to a background of 100% cotton twill, black in color. The black fabric has been washed and treated for colorfastness. The black-painted and hand-gilded molding with its wide, shaped profile is Italian. The glazing is U.V. protective Plexiglas. Condition: There is minor mothing. There is a series of tiny tack holes along the hoist end, with accompanying rust stains, where the flag was once tacked to a wooden staff. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving |
| Flag Type: | Sewn flag |
| Star Count: | 13 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1895 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1926 |
| State/Affiliation: | 13 Original Colonies |
| War Association: | |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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