Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
Sold Flags



  13 STARS, AN EXTRAORDINARILY SMALL U.S. NAVY SMALL BOAT ENSIGN, THE ONLY ONE I'VE EVER SEEN IN THIS SIZE, MARKED NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, 1904

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 42" x 27.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 31" x 16.25"
Description....:
13 STARS, AN EXTRAORDINARILY SMALL U.S. NAVY SMALL BOAT ENSIGN, THE ONLY ONE I'VE EVER SEEN IN THIS SIZE, MARKED NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, 1904:

13 star American national flag of the type used by the U.S. Navy on small boats around the turn-of-the-century. I have owned many of these flags, made by the Navy at the Navy Yard in New York or Mare Island, California (the latter being far more rare), but I have never owned one in such a tiny size. Measuring just 2.5 feet in length, the flag is about half the size of the smallest I currently knew to exist. Interestingly enough, the 4.5 feet and 5.5 foot versions were among the smallest of all flags in production at the time. Only 13 star private yachting ensigns (usually 3 or 4 feet in length) were smaller. Flags with sewn stars measuring less than 5 feet in length were practically unheard of until the 1920's.

During the 19th century, the typical sewn flag measured between 8 and 45 feet in length. This is because flags needed to be seen from a great distance to be effective in their use as signals, while today's flags primarily serve a decorative purpose. Collectors prefer smaller flags because they are easier to frame and display indoors, but 3 to 5 foot versions fall between rare and scarce and a 2.5 foot example, like this one, is simply extraordinary.

The reverse side of the coarse linen sleeve is stamped with the words "U.S. Ensign No. 10, N.Y.N.Y. [Navy Yard, New York] June 1904, c.11903". The flag is entirely machine-sewn, constructed of wool bunting with cotton muslin stars that are double-appliqued with a zigzag stitch. There is a linen sleeve with two brass grommets. Each grommet 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.

The stars are arranged in the 3-2-3-2-3 configuration, which is the most common design in 19th century flags with 13 stars. This creates a secondary pattern that forms a diamond of stars with a star in each corner. It also mimics the St. Andrews and St. Georges crosses found on the British Union Jack.

13 star flags have been used throughout our Nation's history for a variety of purposes. In addition to their use on small Navy boats, they were displayed in celebration of Lafayette's final visit to the U.S. in 1825-26, carried by soldiers during the Mexican and Civil Wars, and made to commemorate American independence during the Nation's Centennial in 1876, the Sesquicentennial in 1926, and other patriotic occasions.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which was washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. The mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The front is u.v. protective plexiglas.

Condition: There is very minor mothing, but the flag is in extraordinary condition for a wool flag of the period, especially one so scarce.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1904
Latest Date of Origin: 1904
State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

Views: 3296