Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
Sold Flags



  48 STARS in the WHIPPLE PATTERN, SILK, 1909-1912, RARE AND HIGHLY DESIRED

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 24.5" x 34"
Flag Size (H x L): 15" x 24"
Description....:
48 STARS in the WHIPPLE PATTERN, SILK, 1909-1912, A RARE AND HIGHLY DESIRED EXAMPLE:

Many people are not aware that for the first 135-year existence of the Stars & Stripes, there was no official way to configure its stars. It was not until 1912 that an official design was adopted, following an executive order of President Taft. Sometime beforehand, around 1909, it became clear that such a circumstance might occur. Two more stars would be added for the remaining Western Territories that had not yet become states (New Mexico and Arizona), and the flag would again change. At this time, Philadelphian by the name of Wayne Whipple, who had written a book on the American flag in 1904, decided that he wanted to be the man who designed it.

Many designs were probably brought forth, but it is not clear if a list of them survives. Possibly they were lost, forgotten, or simply never recorded. But Wayne Whipple was one person among the interested artists who would proceed to solidify his name in history, designing and contracting flags to be made in what is now known as the "Whipple" pattern. He distributed these small parade flags liberally in pursuit of his goal, which were printed on cotton or silk, taking them to rallies and mailing them to influential parties with many letters of solicitation. Surviving examples, however, are extremely scarce.

The star configuration Whipple devised includes 13 stars in the center for the 13 original colonies, arranged in a 6-pointed Great Star or Star of David pattern. According to Whipple, this had no religious connotations, but instead was simply a logical way to display 13 stars in a star-shaped formation. Surrounding the Great Star is a wreath of 25 stars the represent the number of additional states that had joined the Union by the time of the nation's 100-year anniversary in 1876. And around this is a wreath of 10 stars, widely spaced. Stars could be easily added to the outer wreath without changing the basic design, which was why Whipple felt that it would be not only beautiful, but functional.

There is to date only one known example of a Whipple pattern flag with sewn construction, which was presented to President Taft by Whipple in 1913, then returned to Whipple and descended through the Whipple family. All the rest are printed parade flags (and tapered pennants). According to personal letters that were written by Whipple, along with correspondence between Whipple, the White House, and the War Department, Presidents Roosevelt and Taft both approved of and endorsed Whipple's design. Whipple was actually friends with both men yet campaigned with Roosevelt in 1912. When it came to the final selection of an official configuration, however, the War Department's recommendations drove Taft to select the rectilinear pattern of 6 rows of 8 stars.

The most beautiful of the Whipple parade flags are the silk examples, which are the largest and generally retain the strongest color among surviving examples. This flag is no exception, with its vivid royal blue and scarlet red.

Mounting: The flag has been stitched to 100% cotton, black in color. The background fabric has been 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 flag was then 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 is minor splitting in the silk, accompanied by very light soiling. This is excellent when compared to other examples of the period with silk construction, especially in consideration of the great scarcity of the particular pattern.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 48
Earliest Date of Origin: 1909
Latest Date of Origin: 1912
State/Affiliation: Arizona
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

Views: 3020