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  ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH 13 STARS IN THE BETSY ROSS PATTERN, A HOMEMADE, MAKE-DO EXAMPLE OF THE 1926-1945 ERA

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 40" x 59"
Flag Size (H x L): 29.25" x 49"
Description....:
13 STARS IN THE BETSY ROSS PATTERN, A VINTAGE, HOMEMADE, MAKE-DO FLAG OF THE 1926-1945 PERIOD:

This 13 star American national flag was fabricated by a person who wished to have something in the original star count for a patriotic celebration. This is what is known in the world of rural American antiques a "make-do", which is something produced by the modification of one object into another for practical use. In this case, the maker took a flag with either 46 or (more likely) 48 stars, removed the sleeve, and replaced the blue fabric. On the new length of cotton, he or she hand-appliqued 13 stars in what is commonly known as the "Betsy Ross" pattern. Note how the wreath is not precisely symmetrical, which adds a primitive visual quality to its appearance.

The flag was altered sometime during the period between the 1926 sesquicentennial of American independence (our nation's 150th anniversary) and WWII (U.S. involvement 1941-45). It may have been made during the patriotism surrounding one of these two events, or a 4th of July celebration or some other purpose, such as a school theatrical production.

Due to the popularity of Betsy Ross, flags in this star pattern are always desired. The stars are hand-sewn and double-appliqued, which means that they are applied to both sides. Because few flags have homemade features during this period, those that do have greater appreciation. The original flag had a printed field of stripes. The canton would have been printed separately and sewn to the field. There is a cotton binding along the hoist and tack holes along this provide evidence that it was tacked to a staff.

While we are taught in grammar school that this was what our first flag looked like, there is no hard evidence to prove the claim, which is widely accepted as myth among flag enthusiasts. Of the very few Colonial examples that exist, none have survived with this star configuration. Further, while thousands of 13 star flags were made during the during the 19th century, for all manner of patriotic and utilitarian purpose, almost none have survived with this pattern that date prior to the late 1890's.

Research conducted by the National Museum of American History notes that the story of Betsy Ross making the very first American flag for General George Washington entered into American consciousness about the time of the 1876 centennial celebrations. The tale was immensely popular among an American public eager for stories about the revolution and its heroes. The first written documentation of it appeared in a paper written for the Pennsylvania Historical Society by her grandson, William Canby, just shortly beforehand in 1870. At this time Canby made no mention of how the flag was designed, save for the fact that it had 5-pointed stars per his grandmother's suggestion.

Though on rare occasion circles of 13 stars appear in early American imagery, the pattern basically does not appear on actual flags until the period between approximately 1898 to 1913, when Betsy Ross' granddaughter (Rachel Albright) and great grand daughter (Sarah M. Wilson) operated a cottage industry in the East Wing of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, making hand-sewn flags for tourists. Rachael and Sarah proudly proclaimed that their flags, which had a circle of 13 stars, replicated the original, which they likewise reported was designed and made by their mother. Sadly, neither Canby's nor Albright and Wilson's claims are supported by facts.

Because the first American national flag does not survive and no period accounts of it exist, no one actually knows what its star configuration looked like, but it is widely accepted among flag enthusiasts that it did not have a circle of 13 stars. In fact, the Betsy Ross pattern didn't become became common until the mid 20th century. By the 1976 Bicentennial it was produced in great quantity and today remains the most recognizable style. The longstanding popularity of the myth solidified into legend.

13 star flags have been continuously produced throughout our nation's history for purposes both patriotic and utilitarian. This was the original number of stars on the American flag, representing the 13 colonies, so it was appropriate for any flag made in conjunction with celebrations of American independence. 13 star flags were displayed at patriotic events, such as Lafayette's final visit in 1825-26, the nation's centennial anniversary in 1876, and celebrations of Independence Day. They were used by presidential candidates when campaigning for office and were carried by soldiers during the Mexican and Civil Wars to draw a parallel between the current and previous struggles for freedom.

13 star flags were flown by American ships both private and federal. The U.S. Navy used 13 stars on the ensigns made for small boats, because they wished the stars to be easily discerned at a distance. As the number of stars grew with the addition of new states, it became more and more difficult to fit stars on a small flag and it became more difficult to view them from afar as individual objects. Because any star count that has previously been official remains so today according to the Congressional flag acts, all 13 star flags in an otherwise appropriate design remain official flags of the United States.

Mounting: The flag has been stitched to 100% silk organza throughout for support. It was then hand-sewn to background of 100% cotton twill, 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. The flag was then placed in a black-painted and hand-gilded, contemporary Italian molding. The front is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: There is a V-shaped tear in the approximate center of the top two stripes and there is a lateral tear near the fly end of the last stripe. There are a small number of very tiny holes. There is minor breakdown in the extreme, top, hoist-end corner of the canton and tears with associated loss at the top and bottom of the hoist binding. There is minor foxing and staining throughout and there is moderate fading of the blue canton, accompanied by streaks of more significant vertical fading from it having hung on a staff. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1926
Latest Date of Origin: 1945
State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies
War Association: WW 2
Price: SOLD
 

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