Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
Sold Flags



  34 STARS, 1863-65, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, RARE GREAT STAR PATTERN WITH HUGE CORNER STARS, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, KANSAS STATEHOOD

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 23.25" x 28.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 14.25" x 20"
Description....:
34 STARS, 1863-65, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, RARE GREAT STAR PATTERN WITH HUGE CORNER STARS, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, KANSAS STATEHOOD: 34 star American National parade flag of the Civil War period, printed on silk, with an extremely rare and desirable version of what is known as the “Great Star” pattern (one large star made out of stars). This particular variety is one that I have seldom encountered. In fact, I have never before encountered one in this size, which is larger than other examples in either this or similar styles. This center of this particular Great Star pattern is comprised of a pentagon of 5 stars, around which 25 more trace the perimeter of the five-armed star form. But what really sets this flag apart from other rare Civil War period parade flags with Great Star patterns is the huge size of the flanking stars in each corner of the aqua blue canton. These add serious visual impact to the flag’s design. Among flag collectors, the Great Star configuration is the Rolls Royce of all 19th century geometric patterns. It probably came about shortly before 1818, when Congressman Peter Wendover of New York requested that Captain Samuel Reid, a War of 1812 Naval hero, help to create a new design that would become the third official format of the Stars & Stripes. The primary concern of ship captains was that the signal remained easily recognized on the open seas. Reid’s concept of placing all the stars in a star-shaped pattern would have kept the constellation in roughly the same format as the number of states grew and more stars were added, in a distinct design that could be quickly identified through a spyglass. Though his proposal was rejected by President Monroe, due to the increased cost of arranging the stars in this manner, the Great Star was produced by anyone willing to make it. Its rarity today, along with its beauty, has driven its desirability among collectors. Kansas was admitted into the Union as the 34th state on January 29th, 1861, about 2 ½ months before the Confederate assault on Fort Sumter that marked the beginning of the Civil War. The 34th star was officially added on July 4th of that year, but most flag makers would have added a 34th star with the addition of Kansas in January. The star count remained official until July 4th, 1863, and 34 star flags would have been produced until the addition of West Virginia in June of that year. Construction: This printed silk flag is unusual because of the hand-sewn, cotton hoist. This was used as reinforcement of the fabric when it was attached to a wooden staff. Despite their fragility, silk parade flags were typically tacked directly to their staffs. Mounting: The substantial, water-gilded molding has a raised, convex center and dates to the period between 1830 and 1860. This is a pressure mount between 100% cotton and u.v. protective acrylic. The background fabric 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 same purpose. Condition: There is significant separation between the sleeve and the hoist end of the body of the flag. There is minor to moderate fabric breakdown throughout with some associated loss, but the colors are strong and the rarity and desirability of great star designs warrants almost any condition. 100% natural fabric of similar coloration was placed behind the flag during the mounting process. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 34
Earliest Date of Origin: 1861
Latest Date of Origin: 1863
State/Affiliation: Kansas
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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