Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  20 STAR AMERICAN NATIONAL FLAG OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD PROBABLY MADE WITH CONFEDERATE SYMPATHIES, 1863-1865

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 45" x 50"
Flag Size (H x L): 33.25" x 38"
Description....:
20 STAR AMERICAN NATIONAL FLAG OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD PROBABLY MADE WITH CONFEDERATE SYMPATHIES, 1863-1865:

Found in Pittsburgh, this dynamic and most unusual example of a Civil War-era, Stars & Stripes flag was probably made with sympathies for the Southern cause. Key among its Confederate associations are two features, one of which can be found in the stars the other in the stripes. First note that there are only 11 stripes. This was the number of states that officially seceded from the Union by the end of May, 1861, and it remained the official total throughout the balance of the war. Then note that the number of large stars totals 16. This equals the number of officially seceded states plus the 5 border states which, while not having officially left the Union, were strong in their support for the South.

Many Stars & Stripes pattern flags are known which contain various features that could have marked places where Southerners might find sanctuary or preferential treatment within the borders of non-slave states. All flags of this type are highly desired, because as subtle adaptations of the Stars & Stripes, collectors displaying such flags in their collections can show American patriotism, Civil War history, southern patriotism (if they so choose), flag history, and, quite often, folk art, all within one early textile.

A less obvious Confederate feature is present in the four small stars that were strategically placed between the first and second and the third and fourth rows. These allow the Cross of St. Andrew (Southern Cross) to be drawn in the star design. Because these additional 4 stars increase the total count to 20, it could be argued that the 4 small stars are somewhat difficult to explain. I would, however, suggest otherwise. I believe that the 4 stars could serve a vital purpose in a flag that was flown in Union state like Pennsylvania at this highly volatile time in our nation's history, by allowing the owner, if questioned, to demonstrate that this was actually a pro-Union flag. Here's how that would work. Nearby West Virginia gained statehood in 1863, during the war, when it broke off from Virginia and became a Free State. This brought the total number of states (both Union and Confederate) to 35. It also brought the number of Confederate Border States to 5, as despite their non-slave status, the residents of West Virginia largely supported the South. Nevada then gained statehood in 1864, just before Lincoln's second election, bringing the grand total to 36. Lincoln pleaded with the nation to leave the stars representing the Southern states on the flag, because his goal was to keep the Union together. Further, the federal government did not recognize the Confederate States as actually having left the Union. Few things prevented private individuals, however, from doing what they wished when they designed a homemade flag. So some pro-Union activists removed the stars corresponding to Southern states. These are called Southern-exclusionary flags and their number of stars could vary based upon the number of states that the maker of the flag felt was loyal to the South versus the North. Here the total count of 36, less the Southern count of 16 (11 official + 5 border states) equals 20, so the owner of this flag, with 16 large stars and four small ones, could play both sides of the fence.

A clever and curious design in all respects, this particular flag bears several other great features that are desired amount collectors. These include its small size, hand-sewn construction, and general overall presentation.

Today, in the 21st century, flags with pieced and sewn construction that measure five feet long or shorter are commonplace. Prior to the 1890's, however, sewn flags of this size are considered extraordinarily small. Parade flags (also called hand-wavers), were printed on cloth or paper. These generally measured three feet long or smaller and were made for short-term use at parades, reunions, and rallies. Their sewn counterparts, however, made for long-term outdoor use, were typically between seven and thirty-five feet in length, sometimes even larger. This is because the purpose of flags in the 19th century and prior was primarily as signals that needed to be seen from a distance to be effective. This changed as we moved into the 20th century. As time passed their use became more and more decorative, for the general display of patriotism. In the 19th century, even those flags made for decorative purpose were often large by today's standards, so the average 19th century sewn flag can be cumbersome to frame and display in an indoor setting. This is why many collectors prefer printed parade flags and smaller sewn flags, such as this one, the size of which is ideal for a balance of visual impact and versatility.

The flag is entirely hand-sewn and made of cotton, which was the fabric of choice in homemade examples. The stars are double-appliqued, which means that they are sewn to both sides of the blue canton. This has the faded and attractive, blue-green hue of well-worn, indigo denim. The hoist end of the stripes is bound with white cotton and the canton is rolled on itself and hemmed. Stitched along the edge are five sets of cotton ties.

Perhaps the best feature of the design can be found in the small, four-pointed stars, which exist in stark contrast to the larger, five-pointed stars. There was no official design for the stars on the American national flag until 1912, so there was no correct way to position the stars on their vertical axis, or to position them with respect to one-another, or to dictate their specific shape and number of points. For this reason, just about anything can be seen, but five-pointed stars, all appearing in the same size, is far-and-away the most common condition. The presence of stars in two purposefully distinctive sizes is very rare on flags with sewn construction that have row patterns of some nature, like this one. Flags where the number of points varies from one star to the next are even rarer. Combine these two characteristics and you can almost be assured of a unique and dynamic example. Such is the case with this extraordinary Civil War flag.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% silk organza on every seam and throughout the star field for support. It was then sewn to a background of 100% cotton twill, black in color, which has been washed to reduce excess dye. And 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 plexiglas.

Condition: There is minor fading throughout and minor, accompanied by some foxing and staining. The fly end has been turned back and hemmed. The flag was longer in length originally, though how long is difficult to determine. Some homemade flags of this period were near-to-square in their proportions, likely because infantry battle flags of the period typically measured 6 feet by 6.5 feet and so were also nearly square. There were no official proportions for the American national flag until 1912.
Collector Level: Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 20
Earliest Date of Origin: 1863
Latest Date of Origin: 1865
State/Affiliation: Pennsylvania
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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