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  15 STARS, MADE EITHER TO CELEBRATE KENTUCKY STATEHOOD OR TO GLORIFY THE SOUTH, 1861-1865, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, EXTREMELY RARE

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 10.5" x 13.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 5.5" x 7.75"
Description....:
15 STARS, MADE EITHER TO CELEBRATE KENTUCKY STATEHOOD OR TO GLORIFY THE SOUTH, 1861-1865, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, EXTREMELY RARE:

15 star American parade flag with 13 stripes, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. The stars are arranged in a medallion configuration that consists of a large center star, surrounded by 10 stars, with a flanking star in each corner of the blue canton. The stars have a somewhat bulbous and irregular profile, which lends a nice level of folk quality to the overall design.

A small group of 15 star parade flags of a very similar nature was found with a group of 35 star parade flags (ca 1863-1865). Both were obviously made at the same time by the same flag-maker and so the date of manufacture of the 15 star flags could be logically dated to the Civil War period.

This particular flag in question, although slightly different in style, is nearly identical in size and color, and was manufactured in the same general period, but perhaps by a different manufacturer.

The 15 stars serve one of two potential purposes. One possibility is that they represent the number of state that the maker felt were allied with the South. There were 15 Slave States.

The other possibility is that they were made to glorify Kentucky, the citizens of which were involved in a dilemma regarding their allegiance. Men from Kentucky served on both sides of the battle field. White the state attempted to maintain neutrality, the invasion by Confederate troops prompted them to call upon Union forces to drive out the Confederate Army. On November 20th 1861, while in a state of unrest, the people of Kentucky formed a group styling itself as a "Convention of the people of Kentucky". With 200 participants representing 65 counties, the group voted in favor of secession and the Confederate States of America formally admitted Kentucky as the 13th state on December 10th, 1861. Because this vote wasn't ratified by the state legislature, as was the case in the first 11 Confederate States, Kentucky is considered a Border State. A different although similar situation occurred in Missouri, which was also formally admitted by Jefferson Davis, yet remained a Border State in the eyes of the Union, since the official government of the state did not vote.

The group of similar 15 star flags and 35 star flags referenced above turned up at a yard sale in Ohio, which shares its southern border with Kentucky. Because 15 star parade flags in this form are so rare, and because this group was founded so near to the state in question, it is logical to suggest that the flags may have been intended for use by Kentucky residents, whether in their own state, or possibly in a nearby metropolis, such as Cincinnati, or elsewhere. It is interesting to note that the 35 star variety is practically as rare, with fewer than fifteen known examples. West Virginia became the 35th state when it broke off from Virginia during the Civil War in 1863. It also borders both Ohio and Kentucky, which draws another possible parallel to the flags' regional use. This is unusual, as flags with 35 stars were in used nation-wide among union supporters, just as 50 star flags are in use today across the country and around the world and bear no relevance to the 50th state (Hawaii). While it may be simply coincidental that the flags were found in close proximity to Kentucky and West Virginia, it does raise suspicion that there might be some reason for flags in these two star counts having been found together. They do, after all, relate to very important times in their respective political histories.

Surviving 15 star flags that date to the 19th century are rare. The fact that so few exist raises their interest among collectors who wish to own a flag in that star count, irrespective of the precise period of its manufacture, and the speculation of the reason behind the use of that count is certainly compelling.

Mounting: The American ripple profile molding has a gilded liner and dates to the period between 1830 and 1860. The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which has been 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. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass.

Condition: There is minor staining, foxing and dye loss in the body of the flag, accompanied by moderate staining and very minor fraying along in the hoist area.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 15
Earliest Date of Origin: 1861
Latest Date of Origin: 1865
State/Affiliation: Kentucky
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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