Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  33 STARS, MEDALLION CONFIGURATION, PRE-CIVIL WAR THROUGH WAR PERIOD, 1859-1861

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 14.75" x 12.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 8.75" x 6"
Description....:
33 STARS, MEDALLION CONFIGURATION, PRE-CIVIL WAR THROUGH WAR PERIOD, 1859-1861:

33 star American national parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. The stars are arranged in a double wreath pattern with a large center star and 4 flanking corner stars. Note how the arms of the stars have an exaggerated length and thus bear a very interesting folk quality. This is one of my favorite early parade examples because of the great visual impact in its design.

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's are considerably more rare than 34 and 35 star examples.

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. Prior to the Centennial of our Independence, the Stars & Stripes 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 horse-drawn carriages. 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 some 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 1837. Even then it was neither required nor customary. It was not until the Civil War took place that most U.S. ground forces carried the National Flag.

Mounting: The black painted frame, which has excellent, early surface, dates to the period between 1830 and 1860 and retains its original brass ring with a hand-made screw. The flag has been placed in its correct vertical position, with its canton it the upper left. It was then hand-stitched to 100% cotton rat mat. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is u.v. protective.

Condition: There is moderate foxing, especially along the hoist end and scattered throughout the last third of the flag toward the hoist. The colors are particularly strong, however, the flag presents well. This is a very desirable variety due to age, wartime association, size, and graphics.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade 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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