Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  13 UNUSUALLY POINTY STARS in an ELONGATED VERSION of the 3-2-3-2-3 CONFIGURATION

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 44.25" x 69.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 33.25" x 58.5"
Description....:
13 UNUSUALLY POINTY STARS IN AN ELONGATED VERSION OF THE 3-2-3-2-3 CONFIGURATION, LAST QUARTER 19TH CENTURY:

13 star American national flag, probably made in the last decade of the 19th century as a private yachting ensign. In 1848, the New York Yacht Club helped bring about legislation that allowed pleasure boats to bypass customs by flying 13 star flags with an anchor in the center of a circle of stars. This flag design is still in use today, though it does not carry the same legal tender. In the 1890's, some pleasure boat captains began to fly 13 star flags without an anchor, in a variety of star configurations. This practice continued into the 1920's and then apparently fell from popularity. Though made for nautical use, some of these same flags could also be spotted on land for general patriotic purpose, such as display Independence Day and at the celebration of the sesquicentennial, our nation's 150-year anniversary, in 1926.

Note how the stars on this particular example are rather pointy, with arms slightly bent at the tips. This gives the flag an uncommonly strong folk quality when compared to most other 13 star flags in the 3-2-3-2-3 pattern. Also unusual is the elongated format of the star configuration. Note how the rows are tightly placed, vertically, so that they actually overlap.

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 center. It might also be interpreted as a combination of the crosses of St. Andrew and St. George, which some experts feel could have been the design of the very first American flag, serving as a link between this star pattern and the British Union Jack.

The size of this particular example is noticeably larger than most 13 star private yachting ensigns. Most commercially-made private yacht flags were small, measuring roughly 2' x 3'. Some were a bit larger, measuring 2.5' x 4', but 5' examples, like this one, occasionally surface. While large in respect to other yacht ensigns, these were collectively among the smallest of all flags with sewn construction that were made during the 19th century. Flags with sewn construction were typically between 8 and 45 feet in length, which makes surviving, 19th century examples impractical for indoor display. Flags measuring between 3 and 5 feet in length are much easier to frame and hang in an indoor setting.

13 star flags have been used throughout our Nation's history for a variety of purposes. In addition to their use on private yachts, the U.S. Navy used the 13 star count on small boats, both in the 18th century and throughout most or all of the 19th century, particularly the second half. The practice ended in 1916 following an executive order of President Woodrow Wilson. Among other uses, 13 star flags were carried by soldiers during the Mexican and Civil Wars, and were used at patriotic events, including Lafayette's visit in 1825-26, the celebration of the nation's centennial of independence in 1876, and the sesquicentennial in 1926.

Construction: The stripes and canton of the flag are made of wool bunting and pieced with machine-stitching. The stars are made of cotton and double-appliqued (applied to both sides of the flag) with a lineal machine stitch. This is most common in flags made in the short period between 1890 and 1895. Before this the stars were commonly hand-sewn, and afterwards they were predominantly applied with a zigzag machine stitch. There is a canvas sleeve with two brass grommets, along which the number "5" is stenciled to indicate 5 feet.

Mounting: The flag has been stitched to 100% silk organza on every seam and throughout the star field. The flag was then hand-sewn to background of 100% cotton twill, black in color, which has been washed to remove excess dye. 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 and hand-gilded, contemporary Italian molding. The front is U.V. protective acrylic.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1876
Latest Date of Origin: 1900
State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

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