| 13 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD (1861-1865), HOMEMADE AND ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN, WITH ITS CANTON RESTING ON THE WAR STRIPE, AND WITH 9 STRIPES TO REFLECT THE OMISSION OF NORTH & SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND VIRGINIA, THE 4 SLAVE STATES AMONG THE ORIGINAL 13 COLONIES THAT SECEDED FROM THE UNION |
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| Web ID: | 13j-1732 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 49" x 83.5" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 37.5" x 71.5" |
| Description: | |
| All manner of symbolism can be seen in the flags of the latter antebellum through the Civil War. Makers in the North did all sorts of things to eliminate both the Slave States and those that actually seceded. In the South, during the war, the precise opposite happened occasionally, with Southern makers removing Northern States. Due to the great liberty that Americans were afforded with flag design in general, and the lack of any sort of laws or policing with regard to flag manufacture, the creativity of flag makers both commercial and private was rampant. Driven by the issues of slavery, and of state-associated politics, as well as the fear, fervor, and patriotism generated by war, all kinds of both graphic and symbolic expression appeared in both flags and related textiles. The presence of such features resulted in what many would today argue are the most visually striking and academically intriguing flags that survive from any point in American history. This particular 13 star American national flag, made during the Civil War (1861-1865), displays several rare and beautiful aspects that are desirable in flag collecting. Note how the canton, in a beautiful shade of what is perhaps best described as being somewhere between cornflower and Prussian blue, is set within a field of just 9 stripes instead of the usual 13. The count of these reflects the exclusion South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and North Carolina from the original 13 colonies, which, in that order, voted to secede from the Union and became part of the Confederacy. Note the elongated format that results from the 9 stripe feature in this instance, which adds an interesting visual element to the flag’s design. Also notable is the wide hoist, blue in color, in the form of an open sleeve, through which a wooden staff could be passed, and the red binding along the fly, both of which are unusual and contribute substantially to its presentation. Note how the blue canton rests on a red stripe. When this condition occurs, some flag historians refer to it as the “blood” or “war” stripe, suggesting that the flag was sometimes constructed in this manner when the nation was at war. Since there were no prescribed proportions for the flag itself, or its canton, or any specified position of the canton against the striped field, until 1912, there was no right or wrong in this regard. Because the overwhelming number of surviving flags, like those of today, made inside and outside wartime, present with their canton resting on a white stripe, the rarity of the war stripe feature, as well as the emotionally compelling myth behind it, is very desirable among collectors. Interestingly enough, when present, the characteristic tends to occur most often in the homemade flags of both the Civil War and, curiously, World War I. At first glance, it appears that the maker of the flag may have intended to arrange the stars in rows of 3-2-3-2-3. The only place that this design was successfully achieved, however, occurs within the bottom two rows. Continuing upward, any semblance of a regimented pattern disintegrates into a random scatter, the result of which adds a wonderful element of folk quality to the presentation. Homemade and entirely hand-sewn throughout, with tiny stitches and great precision, the flag is constructed entirely of plain weave cotton. While a poor fabric for flags intended for long-term outdoor use, as cotton absorbs water, became heavy, and was thus subject to tearing and rot, it was nonetheless the fabric of choice for homemade flags. Unlike wool bunting, an open weave fabric used exclusively for the commercial manufacture of flags and banners, and silk, which was both delicate and costly, cotton was inexpensive and widely available. Among other purposes, flags such as this were made as gifts, to be presented to Civil War companies of soldiers. The remnants of a silk rosette, affixed by hand-stitching in the upper, hoist-end corner, tends to suggest such manufacture, perhaps by the wife or mother of a soldier or officer, or an admirer thereof. I have encountered similar elements on other homemade examples of the Civil War period, both on flags with known history to a company of soldiers, or on those suspected of such. Some of these would have actually been carried in the field, while others, such as this example, more likely to have been brought out for parades and other ceremonial function, absent of significant wear. The great care in which such flags were held by the recipient or unit, however, may disguise the incidence of battle use. At approximately 6 feet in length on the fly, although this may seem large in a modern context, sewn flags of the 19th century, (as opposed to printed parade flags,) were generally 8-9 feet long and larger. At this time in American history, it was important for flags to serve their intended function as signals, to be recognized at great distance. Even those flags made for decorative use tended to be far larger than their modern counterparts. Because smaller flags are easier to conserve and frame for indoor display, the size of this particular example is desirable for both collectors and one-time buyers alike, small enough to be manageable, but large enough to make prominent visual impact. 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 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 liberty and were displayed 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. Mounting: We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples. For 25 years we have maintained a specialized department for this purpose, with exceptional, trained staff. The black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed molding is Italian. The background fabric is 100% cotton, black in color, that was washed and treated for colorfastness. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Condition: Check back or inquire for a full report. |
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| Collector Level: | Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings |
| Flag Type: | Sewn flag |
| Star Count: | 13 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1861 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1865 |
| State/Affiliation: | 13 Original Colonies |
| War Association: | 1861-1865 Civil War |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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