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  13 STARS IN A FLATTENED OVAL VERSION OF THE 3RD MARYLAND PATTERN, OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD (1861-65), WITH AN UNUSUAL GREEN AND BROWN HOIST, AND IN AN UNUSUALLY SMALL SIZE FOR THE 19TH CENTURY

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 48" x 79.75"
Flag Size (H x L): 37" x 69.5"
Description....:
13 STARS IN A FLATTENED OVAL VERSION OF THE 3RD MARYLAND PATTERN, OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD (1861-65), WITH AN UNUSUAL GREEN AND BROWN HOIST, AND IN AN UNUSUALLY SMALL SIZE FOR THE 19TH CENTURY:

13 star, American national flag, dating to the Civil War period (1861-65). The stars, which point in various directions on their vertical axis and vary greatly in shape, are arranged in a flattened oval wreath, with a large single canted star in the very center. This basic configuration, whether circular or oval, is commonly referred to as the 3rd Maryland pattern and is very desirable, due to both its attractiveness and the scarcity of its use. The name comes from a flag that was thought to have been present with General Daniel Morgan and the Maryland Light Infantry at the Battle of Cowpens in 1781, carried by Color Sergeant William Batchelor. But the Cowpens flag, which now resides at the Maryland State Capital in Annapolis, was later discovered by a leading expert to date to the 19th century, possibly as late as the 1840's. The name "3rd Maryland" stuck to the design, however, and is widely used today by collectors, despite the probable, inherent inaccuracy.

A similar flag resides in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of History & Technology. It was carried during the Mexican War (1846-48) by the Maryland and District of Columbia Battalion of Volunteers. So the name does have known applicability to another Maryland regiment, though much later. The "3rd Maryland pattern" is most often seen among surviving examples that date to the mid-19th century, roughly within the Mexican War to Civil War time frame (1846-1865). Though scarce in any period, the configuration also appears with some frequency in machine-sewn flags that are thought to have been made for use on private yachts in the 1890-1926 era.

This particular flag exhibits just kind of individual qualities one can expect in early American flag-making. The overall presentation of the flag is excellent. Note how the misshapen stars and the irregularity of their configuration lend strong folk qualities and visual impact. The stars are made of cotton and are single-appliqued. This means that they were applied to one side of the canton, then the blue calico fabric was cut from behind each star, folded over, and under-hemmed, so that one appliqued star could be visible on both sides of the flag. While some flag enthusiast have pointed to this construction method as a way of conserving fabric and cutting corners (not having to sew another star to the other side), others suggest that the real purpose was to make the flag lighter in weight. I believe it to be a function of all of the above and I always find single-appliqued stars more interesting for two reasons; one, because they are more visually intriguing and two, because when executed properly they serve as evidence of a more difficult level of seam-work and stitchery. Note how narrow the under-hem is around the edge of each star and the skill level required to execute the task.

The stripes of the flag are made of cotton and are joined with treadle stitching on their lateral seams, but by hand-stitching on necessary vertical seams where they are pieced below the canton. The canton is made of a blended fabric that is either comprised of cotton and wool or cotton and silk, probably the former. This substitution of this fabric for cotton in the canton is typical of homemade, Civil War period flags and seems to be a result of the scarcity of blue cotton fabric during wartime. The canton is hand-sewn to the stripe field along the fly end and is joined by treadle stitching along the bottom.

The hand-sewn, make-do sleeve of the flag is very unusual and contributes to the range of folk qualities that the flag displays. There are three different fabrics involved. The original hoist appears to be the more narrow of the two sleeves, which is made of brown cotton and is on the interior. The outer section, made of two lengths of fabric, seems to likely have been added later, maybe so that it could be wound right around the staff (instead of the staff being inserted through it). The upper portion of this sleeve is made of olive green cotton, while the lower is made of cotton sateen with a similar coloration.

This is a homemade flag and could have had several possible uses. It might have been made as a presentation flag for a Civil War soldier or an entire unit, presented as a gift when either he or the unit mustered into service. It might alternatively have been made for recruiting soldiers, or for a parade or rally, or for general patriotic purpose. Whatever the case may be, surviving examples of the 3rd Maryland pattern are few and far between and the small size of the flag is very desirable because it can be easily framed and displayed in an indoor setting.

Most 19th century flags with sewn construction are between 8 and 20 feet in length, while garrison flags often measured as much as 35 or 45 feet. Sewn flags that were less than 6 feet in length had little purpose during this period, because they were signals and needed to be seen from a great distance. The Stars & Stripes simply wasn't displayed like it is today by the general population. It was seldom made or used by private individuals before the time of the Civil War and so its customary use was primarily limited to the marking of government buildings and military units.

13 star flags have been used throughout our Nation's history for a variety of purposes. The U.S. Navy used the 13 star count on small boats, not only in the 18th century, but throughout much or all of the 19th century, particularly the second half. The practice ended in 1916 following an executive order from President Woodrow Wilson. Some private ships also used 13 star flags during the same period as the Navy, and the use of yachting ensigns with a wreath of 13 stars surrounding an anchor, which began is 1848, still persists today. Among other uses, 13 star flags were carried by soldiers during the Mexican and Civil Wars, and were used at patriotic events, including Layfayette's visit in 1825-26, the celebration of the nation's centennial of independence in 1876, and the sesquicentennial in 1926.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% silk organza on every seam and throughout the star field for support. It was then hand-sewn to a background of 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. The mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The front is u.v. protective acrylic.

Condition: There is modest staining viewable in the three white stripes below canton, along the hoist end (with much greater contrast in photos than in person), accompanied by very minor stains throughout. A length of blanket-grade, blue wool was used to strengthen and repair loss along the top edge of the canton. There are some stitched repairs at the top corner of the canton at the hoist end, and a length of blue fabric was pieced in about half way down the canton, along the hoist. There is some breakdown at the bottom of the hoist itself. All told, however, the overall condition is excellent for the period and the flag scores about an 8.5 or a 9 out of 10 when compared to other examples of the same era.
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: SOLD
 

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