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  33 STARS IN A "GREAT STAR" PATTERN ON A SILK FLAG MADE FOR THE 1864 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND ANDREW JOHNSON, ONE OF TWO KNOWN EXAMPLES IN THIS RARE STYLE

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 14.5" x 17.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 8" x 11.25"
Description....:
33 STARS IN A "GREAT STAR" PATTERN ON A SILK FLAG MADE FOR THE 1864 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND ANDREW JOHNSON, ONE OF TWO KNOWN EXAMPLES IN THIS RARE STYLE:

33 star parade flag, printed on silk, used in the 1864 presidential campaign of Abraham Lincoln & Andrew Johnson. Silk was a popular fabric in campaign parade flags of 1840 and 1844, but isn't seen afterwards through the 1850's and does not appear in any other recorded examples from any candidates in 1860 or 1864. This is presently one of only two Lincoln flags known in silk. The other is in the same style. The two flags came from a private household and are thus the only two known of their kind. Silk parade flags regained popularity in the campaigns of Ulysses S. Grant and Horatio Seymour in 1868.

The candidates' names are overprinted in black in the stripe field in a whimsical 19th century style of lettering that is shadowed to the lower right. Note the period at the end of Johnson's name. Peculiar methods of punctuation are common in 19th century advertising.

The stars are configured in what is known as the "Great Star" pattern: a large star made out of smaller stars. Because there was no official configuration until 1912, the star pattern was left up to the devices of the flag-maker. Great Star configurations take many forms. This particular one is comprised of a star-shaped perimeter, surrounding a wreath of 7 stars that encircles a single star in the very center. This variety is interesting because when star-shaped or circular designs appear in printed flags, they are almost always flanked stars in each corner of the blue canton, outside the principle pattern. Sometimes simplicity is better and there is something to be said about the strong graphics of the one big star against the blue ground, unencumbered by smaller stars around it.

Among flag collectors, the Great Star configuration is perhaps the most coveted geometric pattern. It seems to have came about shortly before 1818, when Congressman Peter Wendover of New York requested that Captain Samuel Reid, a War of 1812 Naval hero, help to create a new design that would become the third official format of the Stars & Stripes. The primary concern of ship captains was that the signal remained easily recognized on the open seas. Reid's concept of placing all the stars in a star-shaped pattern would have kept the constellation in roughly the same format as the number of states grew and more stars were added, in a distinct design that could be quickly identified through a spyglass. Though his proposal was rejected by President Monroe due to the increased cost of arranging the stars in this manner, the Great Star was produced by anyone willing to make it. Its rarity today, along with its beauty, has driven its desirability among collectors.

While all Lincoln-related parade flags are highly sought after, and are collectively the most valuable of all printed flags known to exist, those made for the 1864 campaign of Lincoln & Johnson are of particular interest. Because Johnson became president following Lincoln's assassination, these flags have the advantage of featuring the names of two American presidents instead of one. Johnson also saw the nation through the beginning of Reconstruction and played a more significant role in American history than Hannibal Hamlin. In addition, flags from the 1864 campaign are more scarce. Although Lincoln felt unlikely to be re-elected in the early part of 1864, as the year proceeded there were significant Union victories and the success of the incumbent president was solidified. In addition, less time and resources were available during wartime to focus on campaign accessories. In fact, it is interesting to note that of those Lincoln-Johnson flags that do exist, some were actually recycled from the 1860 campaigns of his opponents by way of applying Lincoln's name over top on a length of cloth or paper. Such frivolity was not seen in 1860. So assuming all other factors are equal (graphics, text, size, etc.), the presence of the Johnson name is superior to Hamlin.

The 33 star flag was official between the years of 1859 and 1861. Political flags often do not have star counts that reflect the date in which the candidate ran for office, so it is in no way unusual to find a 33 star flag used in an 1864 campaign. In fact, a 33 star flag in this same style, in a larger size but certainly made by the same manufacturer, survives from the 1868 campaign if Ulysses S. Grant. It is likely that most campaign flags were special-ordered. Probably the purchaser of the flag liked the star pattern and chose it from what the flag manufacturer had in stock. Either the flags had been leftover from an earlier time, or a pre-existing print block was used to make flags to the buyer's specifications for size and design.

Mounting: The gilded American molding dates to the period between 1830 and 1860. This is a sandwich mount between U.V. protective acrylic and 100% cotton, black in color, 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.

Condition: There is very minor foxing and staining. There is minor to moderate breakdown of the silk fabric in various areas. A layer of fabric was placed between the flag and the black background, both for masking purposes and to act as a barrier. Small portions of this were professionally painted and colored to mask minor losses in the lettering and the red stripes. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use. The colors are strong and attractive and the flag presents beautifully. Its rarity would warrant most any condition.
Collector Level: Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 33
Earliest Date of Origin: 1864
Latest Date of Origin: 1864
State/Affiliation: Oregon
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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