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): 19" x 15.75
Flag Size (H x L): 10.5" x 7.25"
Description....:
29 STARS, IOWA STATEHOOD, PRE-CIVIL WAR, 1846-1848, MEDALLION CONFIGURATION:

29 Star American National Parade Flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. There is a double wreath pattern with a large center star and four flanking corner stars. This is one of my favorite early parade examples because of the thin, whimsical arms of its stars, the generally crude printing, and its pre-Civil War date.

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 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 even then bothered to carry the National Flag.

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

Mounting: The black painted frame has a beautiful profile and great surface. It dates to the period between 1830 and 1850. The flag has been placed in its correct vertical position, with its canton in the upper left. It has been stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, The black fabric 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 were used to keep the textile away from the glass, which is u.v. protective.

Condition: There are minor holes in the upper fly end corner but there are no significant condition issues.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
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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