Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  35 STARS, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, WEST VIRGINIA STATEHOOD, 1863-1865, MEDALLION CONFIGURATION, A VERY RARE VARIETY

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 12.5" x 14.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 6.5" x 8.5"
Description....:
35 WHIMSICALLY SHAPED STARS IN A DOUBLE-WREATH PATTERN, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, 1863-65, WEST VIRGINIA STATEHOOD, A VERY RARE VARIETY:

35 star American national parade flag of the Civil War period, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. Bears a beautiful medallion star configuration, consisting of a double-wreath with one big star in the center and four flanking stars, one in each corner. The stars of this particular variety have unusually elongated arms, which adds a nice degree of folk quality to the design. Traits like this add visual impact and are much desired by collectors.

Though the name of the company that made this flag remains unknown, I have identified between three and four other star counts that were almost certainly produced by the same maker. Parade flags that have stars with the same, unusual shape also exist with star counts of 29 and 33 stars. There are also 13 star flags and 7 star, Confederate sympathizer flags that appear in the same era and are likely from the same manufacturer. Of the five different star counts, it is interesting to note that the 35 star examples are by far the most rare. I know of fewer than 5 of them to exist, while the other examples all exist in much greater quantity. The 35 star examples I have seen are slightly more square in shape, and their large center stars are proportionally larger than those in their 13, 29, and 33 star counterparts.

West Virginia was admitted into the Union as the 35th State on June 20th, 1863, and this flag was used during the closing years of the Civil War. Although 35 was the official star count until July 4th, 1865, most flag makers would have added a 36th star after the addition of Nevada on October 31st, 1864. This means that 35 star flags were realistically produced for less than a year and a half. They are significantly more scarce than 34 and 36 star examples, which also makes them more interesting to collectors.

Mounting: The flag has been stitched to 100% cotton rag mat and placed in a paint-decorated and gilded molding that dates to the period between 1840 and 1870. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is u.v. protective.

Condition: There are vertical tears and tiny perforated holes along the hoist end, which resulted from two rows of treadle stitching that once held the flag to a wooden staff. An old, hand-stitched mend is present at the bottom of this area. There are also minor stains and foxing. Many collectors actually prefer early flags to show their age and history of use. Further, this is a rare example, which warrants most condition issues.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 35
Earliest Date of Origin: 1863
Latest Date of Origin: 1865
State/Affiliation: West Virginia
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: Sold
 

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