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  33 STAR AMERICAN FLAG PEN WIPE, MADE EITHER JUST PRIOR TO THE CIVIL WAR (1859-60) OR IN ITS OPENING YEAR (1861)

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 8.5" x 8
Flag Size (H x L): 2" x 3.25" on 3.75" pencil staff
Description....:
33 STAR AMERICAN FLAG PEN WIPE, MADE EITHER JUST PRIOR TO THE CIVIL WAR (1859-60) OR IN ITS OPENING YEAR (1861):

33-star American national flag penwipe, executed in needlepoint from wool yarn, with crimp-cut, felt pages behind that are bound with hand-stitching.

Penwipes were used to clean the tip of a dip pen during use, but decorative examples, like this one, probably seldom saw ink. They were produced as whimsys, for gift-giving purposes, and became treasured keepsakes. Civil War era examples, like this one, were probably made for a soldier and possibly carried off to war in remembrance of the loved one who made it.

The most unique thing about this particular flag penwipe is the fact that some of the felt was extended on the hoist end to make a sleeve, so that it could be wrapped around a mechanical pencil to serve as a staff. The pencil is period to the textile and its inclusion is unique in my experience. It elevates both the graphics and its intellectual interest.

The 33rd state, Oregon, entered the Union on February 14th, 1859. The 33 star flag was official from 1859-1861, and was thus still the official flag when Ft. Sumter was fired upon, on April 12th of that year. This event marked the beginning of the Civil War and a 33 star flag was flying at Ft. Sumter during the attack. Because the 34th state, Kansas, had already acquired statehood on January 29th, 1861, flag makers knew that the 34 star flag would soon become official. For this reason, 33 star flags were not produced in great quantity for the war, which would last until 1865, and the 33 can be considered to be more of a pre-Civil War flag than a war-period flag. 33 star flags are quite rare; far more so than their 34- and 35-star counterparts.

The star configuration is very unusual, with a vertically centered column of 3 stars, flanked on either side by 3 columns of 5 stars. I have not before seen this particular pattern. In fact, this is the only example that I have ever encountered with 33 stars among early American penwipes.

Mounting: The black-painted molding dates to the first half of the 19th century and has excellent, early surface. The textile and pencil have been hand stitched to 100% hemp fabric. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is U.V. protective.

Condition: There are no significant condition issues.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 33
Earliest Date of Origin: 1859
Latest Date of Origin: 1861
State/Affiliation: Oregon
War Association: 1777-1860 Pre-Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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