Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  28 STARS, AN EXTREMELY RARE AND DESIRABLE STAR COUNT REFLECTING TEXAS STATEHOOD, OFFICIAL FOR ONLY ONE YEAR, 1845-46

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 58.5" x 92"
Flag Size (H x L): 46.5" x 81"
Description....:
28 STARS, AN EXTREMELY RARE AND DESIRABLE STAR COUNT REFLECTING TEXAS STATEHOOD, OFFICIAL FOR ONLY ONE YEAR, 1845-46:

American national flags with 28 stars, made at the time when Texas gained statehood, are among the most rare and desirable of the 19th century. Very few period examples exist and most major collections of early flags that have been assembled over the years have not included one.

Part of the reason why 28 star flags are so rare is that the star count was official for only one year. Texas became the 28th state on December 29th, 1845. After the Third Flag Act (1818), stars were officially added to the American flag on the 4th of July following a state's addition. This meant that the 28th star would theoretically have been added on July 4th, 1846. Because the makers of flags both private and public cared little for the acts of Congress, however, the 28th star would have been added by most makers at the time of the addition of the state. The star may perhaps have been added even shortly before, in anticipation of the event. The practice of making anticipatory flags was popular in early America, when the nation was eager for expansion.

Iowa became the 29th state just one day shy of a year following Texas' addition, on December 28th, 1846. While the 29th star was not officially added until July 4th, 1847, most flag-makers would have once again added it on or before Iowa's addition. So the production of 28 star flags had a window of approximately one year in length, which meant that it was one of the shortest lasting star counts in American history.

Another reason that 28 star flags are so scarce is that they were produced during a time before the Stars & Stripes was in widespread use. Flags made prior to the Civil War are extremely rare, comprising less than one percent of 19th century flags that exist in the 21st century. Prior to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in 1861, the Stars & Stripes was simply not used for most of the same purposes we employ it in today. Private individuals did not typically display the flag in their yards and on their porches. Parade flags didn't often fly from carriages and horses. Places of business rarely hung flags in their windows. The only consistent private use prior to 1861 seems to have accompanied political campaigning.

Even the military did not use the national flag in a manner that most people might think. Most people are surprised to learn that the infantry wasn’t authorized to carry the Stars & Stripes until the 1830’s, and even then did not often exercise the right, because it was neither required nor customary. The primary purpose before the Mexican War (1846-48) was to mark ships on the open seas. While the flag was used to mark garrisons and government buildings, the flags of ground troops were often limited to the flag of their own regiment and a federal standard.

If rarity is one driver of desirability, relevance to a significant population of capable, patriotic collectors is another. Before 1836, Mexico considered Texas part of its own territory. In that year a revolution was launched that resulted in independence. For the next nine years the Republic of Texas was a nation unto itself and selected its own president.

Texas statehood, in 1845, was immediately followed by war with Mexico, which contested its ownership. The war was short, beginning in 1846, concluding in 1847, and consummated by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2nd, 1848.

In addition to being the largest body of land among the contiguous 48 states, the circumstance of Texas having been an independent entity was unique (until Hawaii joined the Union 114 years later) and is perhaps one reason why Texas patriotism has remained so keen. It is also a state where great wealth was amassed from American capitalism in land-driven enterprises such as ranching and oil. Success in these businesses played its own role in the development of independent-minded men and women, a significant portion of whom are proud to be Texans first and Americans second. Many are fascinated with the history of the Republic, its role as part of the American South, and the combined heritage of Texas and America together.

Because few would argue that the state-associated patriotism of Texans is self-evident to the point of being legendary, the relevance of a period Texas flag in the antiques marketplace is formidable. At the same time, the number of surviving 28 star flags is tiny, certainly fewer than 10. All known examples are of pieced-and-sewn construction. While the first printed parade flags surfaced during the period when we had 26 states (1837-1844), no printed flags exist in the 28 star count.

In concise summary, this is one of the rarest 19th century flags that one may encounter.

Construction: The flag is entirely hand-sewn. Its canton and stripes are made of wool bunting, which was the fabric of choice for all nautical flags, as well as those made for extended outdoor use on garrisons and other structures. The stars of the flag are made of cotton and single-appliquéd. This means that they were applied to one side of the canton, then the fabric was cut from behind each star, folded over, and under-hemmed, so that one appliquéd star could be visible on both sides. While some flag experts have suggested that this method was a means of conserving fabric, since the maker didn’t have to sew a star to both sides, others suggest that the real purpose was to make the flag lighter in weight. I believe it may have been a function of both of these goals. I always find single-appliquéd stars more interesting, both because they are evidence of a more difficult level of seam-work and stitchery and because with two rows of stitching instead of one, they naturally appear earlier and more hand-made. This method of construction tends to be seen on earlier flags, especially those made during the Civil War era and prior.

The stars are configured in 4 rows of 7. Note how they point in various directions on their vertical axis, which adds a nice visual quality to the design. There is a coarse linen sleeve along the hoist end, through which a twisted hemp rope was threaded and affixed. The purpose of the manufacture of this particular flag may have been nautical. Open sleeves with inserted ropes were preferred by the U.S. Navy during the mid 19th century. Because the method distributed force along the length of the hoist, it was a logical choice for the open ocean, where winds were uninhibited by geographic features and man-made structures.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-sewn to 100% silk organza throughout for support. It was then hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which was washed to reduce 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 mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: There is significant loss along the fly end from obvious extended use, accompanied by a moderate tear with associated loss along the top of the canton and minor losses elsewhere, some of which are indicative of minor mothing. There are minor stains and oxidation. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use. The great rarity of this flag warrants practically any condition. The flag presents beautifully.
Collector Level: Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 28
Earliest Date of Origin: 1845
Latest Date of Origin: 1846
State/Affiliation: Texas
War Association: 1777-1860 Pre-Civil War
Price: Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281
 

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