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  13 STARS IN A 3-2-3-2-3 PATTERN ON AN ANTIQUE, U.S. NAVY SMALL BOAT ENSIGN, MADE AT THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, SIGNED & DATED 1912

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 91.5" x 53"
Flag Size (H x L): 79.25" x 40.5"
Description....:
13 star American national flag of the type used by the U.S. Navy on small boats around the turn-of-the 19th to the 20th century. These flags were flown at the stern, from a gaff, or from the yard-arm on a larger vessel, or as the primary flag on a skiff or other small craft that carried sailors back and forth to shore.

The U.S. Navy flew 13 star flags, not only in the Revolutionary and early Federal periods, following the First Flag Act of 1777, but throughout much or all of the 19th century, particularly the second half. As the total number of states increased, and subsequently the number of stars on our nations flag, the Navy often maintained the lower count on smaller flags, to ensure that the stars themselves would be easier to discern at a distance. Flag experts disagree about precisely when the Navy began to employ this practice, on what they referred to as “small boat ensigns.” Some feel that the use of 13 star flags never stopped, which seems to be supported by depictions of ships in period artwork. Less consistent prior to the Civil War, and more so afterwards, the tradition continued until 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson wrote an Executive Order that ended the Navy’s use of 13 stars, in favor of small flags in the full star count. According to flag expert Grace Rogers Cooper, of the Smithsonian, old traditions die hard, and Wilson’s order did not completely dispel the presence of 13 star flags on U.S. Navy craft. While I don’t doubt this to be the case, over the years I have, thus far, personally discovered just one exception.

This particular flag is signed along the hoist on the reverse by way of a black-inked stencil that reads: “U.S. Ensign No. 6 New York Navy Yard February 1912.” Established in 1801, the Brooklyn Navy Yard remained a key seat of Navy operations until 1966, at which point it was decommissioned and sold to the city. As a rule, the Navy made its own flags at various locations. In addition to New York, principal sites of manufacture included the Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, the Norfolk navy Yard, Virginia, Mare Island, California, and Cavite in the Philippines. With but a few notable exceptions, such flags went unmarked until the 1880's and after, and some made after that time were likewise not marked.

During the period in which this flag was made, the size of such signals varied between 1.31 feet on the hoist x 2.5 on the fly, and 3.52 feet on the hoist x 6.67 on the fly. This particular example represents the largest variety dictated by U.S. Navy regulations between 1899 and 1914. The stars are made of cotton and are double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) with a zigzag machine stitch. Note how these are exceptionally large, relative to the size of the canton, when compared to most other flags throughout American history. Also note how the stars were positioned so that those in the first row are oriented with one point up, followed by the second row, with one point oriented down, alternating throughout the pattern. I have always liked this feature, which adds a strong visual element to a flag that already displays ample graphic impact. The canton and stripes are made of wool bunting that has been joined with a lineal machine stitch. There is a coarse linen binding along the hoist with 2 patent-dated brass grommets, each of which reads: “Pat’d Aug. 26, 1884, No. 0”. The presence of this dating is a very nice feature. Grommets on other types of flags are never so specifically marked. In addition to the NY markings, another black stencil, oriented upside down with respect to the remainder, reads “NH.” This designation has yet to be identified.

In most cases the 3-2-3-2-3 design can also be viewed as a diamond of stars, with a star in each corner and a star in the very center. It is of interest to note that the pattern can also be interpreted as a combination of the cross of St. Andrew and the cross of St. George, which some feel could have been the configuration on the very first American flag, possibly representing a link between this star pattern and the British Union Jack. The arrangement is often attributed--albeit erroneously, in my opinion--to New Jersey Senator Francis Hopkinson, a member of the Second Continental Congress and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Hopkinson is credited with having played the most significant role of any person in the design of the American flag, but his original drawings have not survived. Further, while he is known to have depicted arrangements of 13 stars on other objects, such as various seals and colonial currencies, his renderings on other devices are inconsistent.

Any American flag that has previously been official, remains so according to the flag acts, so it remains perfectly acceptable to fly 13 star flags today by way of congressional law. In addition to their use on U.S. Navy ships, some private ships flew 13 star examples throughout the 19th century. Beginning around 1890, commercial makers began to produce small flags for the first time in significant quantity. When they did, they chose the 13 star count, mirroring Navy practice. This continued into at least the first three decades of the 20th century. The use of yachting ensigns with a wreath of 13 stars, surrounding a fouled anchor, allowed pleasure boats to bypass customs between 1848-1980. Though they no longer serve this function, their use persists widely today in the boating community, without an official purpose.

Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples.

The background fabric is 100% cotton twill, black in color. The mount was placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass. Feel free to contact us for more details.

Condition: There is very minor mothing throughout. There is a small perpendicular tear in the 4th red stripe, extending slightly into the white stripe below it, and a small lateral tear in the same stripe. There is very minor foxing and staining. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1912
Latest Date of Origin: 1912
State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

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