Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  13 STARS, U.S. NAVY SMALL BOAT ENSIGN, MARE ISLAND, CALIFORNIA, 1915

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 77" x 45"
Flag Size (H x L): 67" x 35"
Description....:
13 STARS, U.S. NAVY SMALL BOAT ENSIGN, MARE ISLAND, CALIFORNIA, 1915:

13 star American U.S. Navy small boat ensign. Printed along the reverse of the sleeve are the words "U.S. Boat Flag No. 10 Mare Island April 1915". Mare Island is Uncle Sam's principal seat of Pacific Coast defense and home to the Pacific Fleet. It is one of the U.S. Navy's primary bases for general seafaring and war operations, and is located on the western edge of the City of Vallejo, in Southwestern Solano County, in Northern California.

The flag's 1915 date is of particular interest because the Navy used 13 star flags on small boats, not only in the Colonial period but throughout most of the 19th century. The practice was less consistent prior to the Civil War, but more consistent afterwards and wasn't finally terminated until Woodrow Wilson passed an executive order in 1916, just one year after this particular flag was produced. The 13 star count was preferred in early America because ship captains were concerned that the flag should be very recognizable on the open seas. As the number of states grew Naval officers feared that increasing the number of stars on the flag might cause a foreign ship to miss-identify an American vessel. As time passed this became less and less necessary but the tradition of using 13 star flags on small boats persisted.

Naval Ensigns in this style, with overly large stars, fell into use around 1890. This 1915 example, while the latest I have ever seen, is interesting because of its proximity to President Wilson's 1916 order that terminated the Navy's use of 13 star flags. So this is one of those rare instances where a flag of later date is actually more interesting than some of its earlier counterparts. In addition, Mare Island-made 13 star flags are exceptionally rare, especially when compared to their Navy Yard, New York counterparts. I have owned many New York examples but have seen only two 13 star flags with a mare Island stamp, of which this is one. The other was sold at Sotheby's in 2002.

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 patent-dated brass grommets. Each grommet reads: "Pat'd Aug. 26, 1884, No. 0". The presence of this dating is a very nice feature and demonstrates how the Navy stockpiled supplies.

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 mounted in its correct vertical position, with its canton in the upper left. It has been stitched to 100% silk on every seam for additional support and for masking purposes. Cotton was placed behind the white stripes, both for masking purposes and to preserve color intensity. The flag was then stitched to its background of black wool with a twill weave. The background fabric was washed to remove excess day. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye, and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. The flag 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 and staining throughout but there are no significant condition issues.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1915
Latest Date of Origin: 1915
State/Affiliation: California
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

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