Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  36 STARS, EXCEPTIONALLY RARE with STARS ARRANGED TO FORM THE WORD ?FREE"

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 19.25" x 24.75"
Flag Size (H x L): 12.5" x 17"
Description....:
36 STARS, PRO-UNION SENTIMENTS / ANTI-SLAVERY, EXCEPTIONALLY RARE with STARS ARRANGED TO FORM THE WORD ?FREE?: In all of flag collecting, one of the most rare and sought-after designs is this one, in which the stars are arranged to form the word ?FREE?. It could be argued that there is no better star pattern than this one; no flag which so captures the spirit of the anti-slavery movement and the original purpose of this great nation, to be free of religious persecution, British rule, and other condemnations. Compounding the visual nature of the flags design is the fact that only three styles of flags are known that have words or numbers spelled out in the stars. There are actually two versions of the FREE flag, obviously made by the same manufacturer. These include the one pictured above, which has 36 stars, and another in the same size that has 35 stars. The 35 star variety lacks the odd star outside the main pattern. Of the remaining two, one is a printed example measuring about four feet in length. Made for the U.S. Centennial of Independence, its stars are arranged in the dates ?1776 / 1876?. The remaining configuration was produced for the Chicago World?s Fair, also known as the Columbian Exposition, which commemorated the 400-year anniversary of Christopher Columbus?s 1492 landing. In this flag, which is of sewn construction and roughly ten feet in length, the stars spell ?U.S.?. Of the three verbiage star designs, the U.S. variety is the rarest. Only two are currently known to exist, both of which I have had the great privilege to own. The FREE flags are only slightly less rare. Of these, including both 35 and 36 star varieties, probably fewer than ten are known. I have never had the privilege to own one before I bought this flag. The 36th state, Nevada, gained statehood during the civil war, on October 31st, 1864. Makers of parade flags would have added a star to their flags at this time, but the 36 star flag did not become official until July 4th, 1865, after the war?s end. It was replaced by the 37 star flag in 1867. The purpose of both FREE-style flags may have been for use during Lincoln?s 1864 campaign. The great focus of the war, itself, limited the opportunity for Lincoln?s to campaign for re-election. For this reason, 1864 Lincoln & Johnson campaign flags are much scarcer than those made for the 1860 Lincoln & Hamlin campaign. None-the-less, a 35-star FREE flag is known with the words ?Lincoln & Johnson? overprinted in the stripes. It is safe to assume that the 36 style FREE flags were also used at Lincoln rallies as November approached. Westward expansion was a very popular goal and attractive to voters in the 19th century, and Nevada was added just eight days prior to the election. Lincoln rushed Nevada statehood despite its tiny population, to help ensure both his reelection and Republican control in congress. Nevada's silver mine-based economy tied it to the more industrialized Union and it was viewed as politically reliable. Mounting: the flag has been stitched to 100% cotton twill, black in color. The cotton has been washed to remove excess dye, and an acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye. The mount is backed with archival materials and placed in a veneered maple frame of the highest quality, with an unusually deep bevel, that dates to the period between 1830 and 1860. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is u.v. protective. Condition: There is some dye loss in the stripes and fading in the canton. There is a vertical tear next to the canton on the lower fly end, plus minor separations where the hoist end was attached to its staff. There is also a bit of rust from the tacks that once held the flag to the staff. The overall condition is very good, however, and the great rarity and desirability of this example warrants practically any condition.
Collector Level:
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 36
Earliest Date of Origin: 1864
Latest Date of Origin: 1864
State/Affiliation: Nevada
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: No
 

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