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  13 STARS, A US NAVY SMALL BOAT ENSIGN, MARKED NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, 1903

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 76" x 46"
Flag Size (H x L): 65" x 35.24"
Description....:
13 STARS, A US NAVY SMALL BOAT ENSIGN, MARKED NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, 1903:

13 star American national flag of the type used by the U.S. Navy on small boats around the turn-of-the-century. The reverse side of the coarse linen sleeve is stamped in black ink with the following text:

"U.S. Ensign No. 7, Navy Yard New York, Jan. 1903, c.9151".

Although typical for this particular style Navy flag, the stars are unusually large when compared to those on other stars & stripes, a trait that adds considerably to the visual quality of the design. This lent aid in identification from a distance on the open seas. 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.

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. The New York Navy Yard purchased bunting and made their own flags.

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, some private ships also used 13 star flags during the same period. In fact, the use of yachting ensigns with a wreath of 13 stars surrounding an anchor, which began in 1848, still persists today. Among other uses, 13 star flags were displayed in celebration of Lafayette's final visit to the U.S. in 1825-26, carried by soldiers during both the Mexican and Civil Wars, and were made for the celebration of the Nation's centennial of independence in 1876, the sesquicentennial in 1926, and other patriotic occasions.

Mounting: The flag has been stitched to 100% silk organza on every seam for support. The flag was then stitched to its background of 100% cotton twill, black in color, which was washed to reduce excess dye. And acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye 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 acrylic.

Condition: There is minor staining and mothing, but the flags survives in nothing short of an excellent state of preservation for a wool flag of the period.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1903
Latest Date of Origin: 1903
State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies
War Association:
Price: Please email or call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281
 

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