Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  48 STARS ON A SMALL-SCALE FLAG OF THE MID-19TH CENTURY, SIGNED "STORM KING," CA 1920-1950's

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 35.5" x 47.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 23" x 35"
Description....:
48 star, pieced-and-sewn, American national flag in a small size among its counterparts. The stars are made of cotton and are double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) with a zigzag machine stitch. The canton and stripes of the flag are made of two-ply cotton that has been joined with machine stitching. There is a sailcloth canvas binding along the hoist, with two brass grommets, along which "2 x 3" was stamped in black ink, to indicate size in feet, along followed by the words "Storm King."

"Storm King," was a brand name used by the maker. The name appears to have first have been employed by Collegeville Flag & Banner Company of Collegeville, Pennsylvania [later known as Collegeville Flag & Manufacturing Co.], to indicate their best grade of stitched cotton flags. The term was not unique to Collegeville, however, which makes it difficult to positively attribute a flag with this marking. While it appears in Collegeville catalogues as early as the 1920's, and possibly prior, the name can also be encountered in the 1939 catalogue of "Old Glory" Flag Manufacturing Company of Chicago, to differentiate their cotton, rectangular ship and advertising flags from those that they produced in wool bunting. Presuming the terminology wasn't copyrighted, it could have become common industry language among some makers for heavier duty cotton flags with sewn elements and devices.

The 48 star flag became official in 1912, following the addition of New Mexico and Arizona. It remained so throughout WWI (U.S. involvement 1917-18), WWII (U.S. involvement 1941-45), and the Korean War (1950-53), until Alaska gained statehood in 1959 and the 49th star was added.

Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples.

The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color. The black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed molding is Italian. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass. Feel free to contact us for more details.

Condition: There is a tiny tear in the last red stripe, near the center, along the bottom edge, and there is very minor soiling, but there are no further condition issues.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 48
Earliest Date of Origin: 1925
Latest Date of Origin: 1959
State/Affiliation: Arizona
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

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