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  48 STARS, WWI - WWII ERA (1917-1945), MARKED "HIGH GRADE," MADE BY THE ANNIN COMPANY OF NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 64" x 81"
Flag Size (H x L): 52" x 69"
Description....:
48 star American national flag, made in the period between WWI (U.S. involvement 1917-18) and WWII (U.S. involvement 1941-45). The 48 star flag became official in 1912 following the addition of New Mexico and Arizona. It remained so throughout WWI, WWII, and the Korean War (1950-53), until Alaska gained statehood in 1959 and the 49th star was added.

The canton and stripes are made of wool bunting and pieced with machine stitching. The stars are made of cotton and are double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) with a zigzag machine stitch. There is a heavy canvas binding with 2 brass grommets for hoisting. A maker’s tag, near the top of the binding, on the obverse (front) reads: “The Best Since 1847; High Grade; Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.; All Wool Bunting," accompanied by a logo that reads "The Name Annin Guarantees Quality."

Annin is our nation's eldest flag-maker that is still in business today. The company was founded in the 1820's on the New York waterfront, incorporated in 1847, and, though it opened a large manufacturing operation in Verona, New Jersey in 1916, maintained its head office and some production in Manhattan until 1960. While some sources that record makers of military goods lack reference to specific military contracts with Annin, their Wikipedia entry might explain why. The narrative states: "…the U.S. Signal Corps requisitioned all its wartime flags from Annin Flagmakers for the Civil War. An undated newspaper article in Annin's 1860's archives states: "Without going through forms of contract, Annin supplied the government direct." "…As the war progressed, orders came pouring in from every state and city that was loyal to the Union, so that by the beginning of 1864, there was not a single battlefield, a brigade or a division that did not use Annin flags." The company itself reports that it provided the flag that was laid over the casket of Abraham Lincoln and that it supplied the flags hung at every presidential inauguration from 1849 onward, until at least the 1980’s.

High Grade was an trademark and identified the grade of wool bunting. The flag is of exceptional quality, very heavy, and this may have been the best available grade at the time. Other brand names used included "Sterling", "Defiance", "Republic", etc..

Production of wool bunting flags fell drastically after the Second World War in favor of cotton and cotton/synthetic blends that had been developed. The latter resisted moths and, at the same time, shed water like their wool counterparts.

Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert trained 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, that has been washed and treated for colorfastness. The mount was placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. A shadow-box was created to accommodate the tassels and folds. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Feel free to contact us for more details.

Condition: Near-to-mint among its wool counterparts with only very minor soiling and loss.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 48
Earliest Date of Origin: 1917
Latest Date of Origin: 1945
State/Affiliation: Arizona
War Association: WW 1
Price: SOLD
 

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