Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  7 STARS IN A RARE HEXAGON MEDALLION, REFLECTS THE THE FIRST 7 STATES TO APPROVE THE PROVISIONAL CONFEDERATE CONSTITUTION, IN THE INITIAL WAVE OF SECESSION; THE 7TH OF THESE WAS TEXAS; A WAR-PERIOD EXAMPLE, CIRCA 1861

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 13.5" x 9.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 2.25" x 3.75" on 8" staff
Description....:
7 star American parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton and affixed to its original wooden staff, made to commemorate the first wave of Confederate States that seceded from the Union on February 4th, 1861. Texas was the 7th of these, which also included, in order, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana.

While Northern children waved their 13 star flags, some of their Southern counterparts waved 7, 8, & 9 star flags as a subtle means of displaying their Confederate loyalties. This example is unusual among 7 star parade flags because it dates to the Civil War period (1861-1865), while most 7-star examples are post-war.

One of the more interesting features is in the configuration of stars. Note how this is similar to traditional, round medallion designs, but in this case the edges are flattened into a hexagon. Note how the stars, themselves, are rather crude and interesting, and that they are all oriented upside-down in their vertical alignment throughout, with two points up instead of one. There were no regulations concerning this on the American national flag until 1912, so flag-makers could do whatever they wished. Likely the designer of this flag did not feel that any star position was “right-side-up”. Whatever the case may be, the circumstance is interesting, because the resulting graphics are more unusual to the eye.

Mounting: The gold-painted American molding dates to the period between 1810 and 1840. To this a rippled profile molding, black with silver highlights, was added as a cap. The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been washed and treated for colorfastness. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is U.V. protective.

Condition: There is minor to modest foxing and staining, accompanied by an area along the hoist with some red pigment and some fabric loss. The flag presents beautifully. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 07
Earliest Date of Origin: 1861
Latest Date of Origin: 1861
State/Affiliation: The Confederacy
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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