Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  13 HAND-SEWN STARS IN A CIRCULAR VERSION OF THE 3RD MARYLAND PATTERN, MADE DURING THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD OR IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER, IN A GREAT SMALL SCALE AMONG ITS COUNTERPARTS OF THE PERIOD WITH PIECED-AND-SEWN CONSTRUCTION

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 38" x 48"
Flag Size (H x L): 25.75" x 36"
Description....:
13 star flags have been flown throughout our nation’s history for a variety of purposes. They were hoisted at patriotic events, including Lafayette’s final visit in 1824-25, the celebration of the centennial of American independence in 1876, and the sesquicentennial in 1926. They were displayed during the Civil War, to reference past struggles for American liberty and victory over oppression, and were used by 19th century politicians while campaigning for the same reason.

As the number of stars grew with the addition of new states, it became more and more difficult to fit their full complement on a small flag. The stars would, by necessity, have to become smaller, which made it more and more difficult to view them from a distance as individual objects. The fear was that too many of them close together would become as one white mass and distort the ability to identify American ships on the open seas. Keeping the count low allowed for better visibility. For this reason the U.S. Navy flew 13 star flags on small boats. Some private ship owners mirrored this practice and flew 13 star flags during the same period as the Navy.

Flag experts disagree about precisely when the Navy began to revert to 13 stars and other low counts. Some feel that the use of 13 star flags never stopped, which seems to be supported by depictions of ships in period artwork. This was, of course, the original number of stars on the first American national flag, by way of the First Flag Act of 1777, and equal to the number of original colonies that became states. Any American flag that has previously been official remains so according to the flag acts, so it remains perfectly acceptable to fly 13 star flags today by way of congressional law.

Since there was no official star configuration until the 20th century (1912 specifically, beginning with the 48 star count), the stars on 13 star flags may appear in any one of a host of configurations. Some of these are more rare and desirable than others. The stars of this particular flag are arranged in a circular wreath of 12 with a single star in the center. This basic configuration, whether oval or circular, has come to be known as the "3rd Maryland Pattern" and the design is very desirable due to both its visual attractiveness and the scarcity of its use.

The name comes from a flag that resides at the Maryland State Capitol in Annapolis, long thought to have been present with General Daniel Morgan at the Battle of Cowpens in 1781. According to legend, the flag was supposed to have been carried by Color Sergeant William Batchelor of the Maryland Light Infantry and was donated to the State of Maryland by Batchelor's descendants. The story was disproved in the 1970's, however, following an examination by the late flag expert Grace Rogers Cooper of the Smithsonian. She discovered that the Cowpens flag was, at the earliest, of Mexican War vintage (1846-48).

  Despite the lack of direct association with the reputed regiment, many flag collectors and enthusiasts embraced the name "3rd Maryland" and it stuck to the design. The term actually received some legitimacy through the existence of a similar flag, in the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of History & Technology, with verified Maryland provenance. This was carried by the Maryland and District of Columbia Battalion of Volunteers during the Mexican War. While the configuration is known to be an early one, as evidenced by 18th century illustrations, this star pattern is most often encountered among surviving flags that date to the mid-19th century, roughly within the Mexican War to Civil War time frame (1846-1865). For some reason it seems to have not been quite as popular during our nation's 100-year anniversary, in 1876, but some examples of this era are known. It was also revived in small scale, commercially-produced flags during the 1890-1920's time frame.

Made sometime during the Civil War (1861-65) and the 1876 centennial of American independence, the stars of this particular flag are arranged in a circular version of the 3rd Maryland pattern. The stars are made of cotton, hand-sewn, and double-appliquéd (applied to both sides). The canton and stripes are made of wool. There is a twill cotton binding along the hoist with two brass grommets, along which “2 x 3” and “U.S.” were crudely penciled to indicate size and national designation. The canton, stripes, and binding were joined with treadle stitching.

The profile of the flag is a bit more square than usual, which I always find especially attractive. Of further consideration is the extremely small size of the flag when compared to others of this period, which adds considerable appeal. During the 19th century, printed parade flags (sometimes called hand-wavers) were generally three feet long or smaller, but flags with pieced-and-sewn construction were generally 8 feet long and larger. Prior to 1890, a flag that was 6-feet in length on the fly was considered small. This is because flags needed to be seen from a distance to be effective in their purpose as signals, while today their use is more often decorative and the general display of patriotism. The smaller flags with sewn construction are during this era, the more unusual they are. At just over 2 feet by 3 feet, this flag is especially desirable. Because the average 19th century sewn flag can be cumbersome to frame and display in an indoor setting, many collectors covet small sewn flags, like this one.

Due to a combination of its star pattern, the tiny scale, hand-sewn stars, nice proportions, great colors, and a Civil War – Centennial era date, this is a beautiful example among 13 star flags of the 19th century.

Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert 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. The mount was placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass. Feel free to inquire for more details.

Condition: There is minor mothing throughout the striped field, accompanied by areas of more significant loss along the hoist binding and a modest hole near the end of the last red stripe. Fabric of similar coloration was placed behind the flag in a couple of areas during the mounting process, including the canton and the beginning of the last stripe, near the hoist. There are a couple of tiny holes in the canton. There is minor bleaching and bleeding of the red stripes and a moderate area of bleeding near the end of the 4th red stripe. There is minor to moderate foxing ad staining in the white cotton stars and hoist binding. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age gracefully.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1861
Latest Date of Origin: 1876
State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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