Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  48 STARS CONFIGURED INTO THE LETTERS "U.S.A.", COPYWRITTEN IN 1916 BY C.A. HARTMAN, ONE OF ONLY THREE KNOWN SURVIVING EXAMPLES AND ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING DESIGNS KNOWN TO EXIST IN EARLY FLAGS

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 53" x 77"
Flag Size (H x L): 42" x 66"
Description....:
48 STARS CONFIGURED INTO THE LETTERS "U.S.A.", COPYRIGHTED IN 1916 BY C.A. HARTMAN, ONE OF ONLY THREE KNOWN SURVIVING EXAMPLES AND ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING DESIGNS KNOWN TO EXIST IN EARLY FLAGS:

48 star American National flag; one of only three known examples where the stars are carefully configured into the letters "USA", flanked above and below by widely spaced rows of 4 stars, and with a single star as a period after the letter "A" . Note how the cross bar of the "A" is pitched at an angle, which adds a further degree of whimsy to this wonderful design.

The other two known examples of this flag were known in the collecting world prior to this one. This is the most interesting of the group, because it is the only one that was marked, probably by the designer, with his name, copyright, and date. Written along the hoist in blue ink is the following text:

"Copyrighted 1916. By G A Hartman"

The discovery of this information was significant because the lack of a known date left a wide window in terms of possible manufacture. The 48 star flag became official in 1912 and remained so until the addition of the 49th state in 1959. The date of 1916 places the copyright immediately prior to U.S. involvement in WWI (1917-18).

Only four designs are known to exist among early flags in which the stars are oriented into letters or numeric characters. The striking impact of the pattern places it firmly among the best of all known examples. None of the flags in this format have yet been documented in any text.

The stars of the flag are made of cotton and are double-appliqued (applied to both sides) to the canton with a zigzag machine stitch. The canton and the red stripes are constructed of lightweight cotton bunting, while the white stripes are constructed of a looser weave cotton. These elements are joined with a lineal machine stitch. There is a heavy cotton, twill-woven binding along the hoist, with two white metal grommets.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% silk organza for support throughout. It was then hand-stitched to a background of black cotton twill, 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 front is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: There is minor staining.
Collector Level: Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 48
Earliest Date of Origin: 1916
Latest Date of Origin: 1916
State/Affiliation: Arizona
War Association: WW 1
Price: SOLD
 

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