Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  35 STARS, ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN AND WITH GREAT GRAPHIC FEATURES, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, WEST VIRGINIA STATEHOOD, 1863-1865:

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 59.75" x 101.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 49" x 90"
Description....:
35 STARS, ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN AND WITH GREAT GRAPHIC FEATURES, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, WEST VIRGINIA STATEHOOD, 1863-1865:

35 star American National flag of the Civil War period, entirely hand-sewn and with wonderful folk features that provide for great graphic appeal. West Virginia was admitted into the Union as the 35th state on June 20th, 1863, a few days before the battle of Gettysburg. The 35th star was officially added on July 4th, and the flag was used during the closing years of the war. Production would have generally ceased one year later, however, with the addition of the 36th state.

The stars are made of cotton, hand-sewn, and single-appliqued. This means that they were applied to one side of the canton, then the blue fabric was cut from behind each star, folded over, and under-hemmed, so that one star could be viewed on both sides of the flag. I always find single-appliqued stars more interesting, not only because they are evidence of a more difficult level of seam-work and stitching, but even more so because they are usually more visually intriguing. That is certainly the case here, where both the sewing itself and stretching of the fabrics over time has resulted in stars that have tremendous folk qualities. Irregular in shape, they have particularly pointy arms. Because the exposed side of the cutouts appears on the obverse of the flag, the stitching is more apparent, which emphasizes its hand-stitched construction and is and more endearing. For these reasons, this is precisely the kind of flag that appeals to connoisseurs of early American textiles.

The stripes and canton of the flag are made of wool bunting. At least two of the red stripes are pieced to conserve fabric. The canton is pieced from two lengths of blue fabric because blue wool bunting was only available in widths of eighteen inches. The rectangular patches at the top and bottom of the hoist end are probably original to the flag's construction. These are called gussets and were added for support at the points where the flag received the most stress when it was flown. There is a twill cotton sleeve which would have originally had two brass grommets for hoisting (one of which is now absent).

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% silk taffeta on every seam for support. It was then hand-sewn to a background of 100% cotton background, black in color, which was 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 mount was then placed in a deep shadow box to accommodate folding of the textile in a waving fashion in the stripe area. Mylar was placed behind the folds in a teardrop fashion to keep them stable. The molding is a black painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian example. The front is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: There are many losses and repairs throughout that add great character. 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: Sewn 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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