Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  29 STARS, IOWA STATEHOOD, PRE-CIVIL WAR, 1846-1848, MEDALLION CONFIGURATION

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 13.5" x 15.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 10.5" x 7"
Description....:
29 STARS, IOWA STATEHOOD, PRE-CIVIL WAR, 1846-1848, MEDALLION CONFIGURATION:

29 star American National parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. The stars are arranged in a medallion pattern that consists of a large center star, surrounded by two wreaths of smaller stars, with a third, in-between size star placed in each corner of the blue canton. This is one of my favorite parade flag examples, not only because of the thin, whimsical arms often seen on many of the stars, but also because of the wide variation present in their crude profiles. Note the center star in this example is particularly misshapen. These things add great character to the overall design.

The 29th state, Iowa, entered the Union on December 28th, 1846. The 29 star flag was official from 1846-1848.

Flags made prior to the Civil War are extremely rare, comprising less than one percent of 19th century flags that exist in the 21st century. This is because prior to the Centennial, our flag was simply not used for most of the same purposes we employ it in today. Private individuals did not typically display the flag in their yards and on their porches. Parade flags did not often fly from carriages and horses. Places of business rarely hung flags in their windows. Some of these uses for started to take place during the patriotism that surrounded the Civil War, but civilian use of the flag was not wide spread until 1876.

Even the military did not use the flag in a manner that most people might think. The primary purpose before the Civil War was to mark ships on the open seas. While the flag was generally used to mark garrisons, the flags of ground troops were often limited to the flag of their own regiment and a federal standard. Most people would be surprised to learn that the infantry wasn't authorized to carry the Stars & Stripes until the 1830's, and even then did not often exercise the right because it was neither required nor customary. It was not until the Civil War took place that most U.S. ground forces bothered to carry the National flag.

Mounting: The figured, exotic wood frame dates to the period between 1830 and 1850. The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% hemp fabric. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is U.V. protective.

Condition: There is minor foxing and staining throughout, accompanied by minor fabric loss along the hoist, where the flag was affixed to its original staff. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 29
Earliest Date of Origin: 1846
Latest Date of Origin: 1848
State/Affiliation: Iowa
War Association: 1777-1860 Pre-Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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