| EXCEPTIONAL 36 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG OF THE CIVIL WAR ERA, WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY STAR CONFIGURATION, UNIQUE TO THIS EXAMPLE, AND THE EXTREMELY RARE PRESENCE OF A MATCHING 6 STAR NARROW PENNANT; REFLECTS THE PERIOD WHEN NEVADA WAS THE MOST RECENT STATE TO JOIN THE UNION, 1864-1867; EXHIBITED JUNE – SEPT., 2021 AT THE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, PHILADELPHIA |
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| Web ID: | 36j-934 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 84" x 115.25" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | flag - 65" x 102", pennant - 3.5" x 112" |
| Description: | |
| 36 star antique American flag of the Civil War era, with a matching 6-star narrow pennant, likely made for the commissioning ceremony for the ship for which both were created. Both the flag and pennant – practically never found together as a surviving pair – are made of merino wool and beautifully constructed. This is definitely an unusual fabric choice for maritime use, the clothing grade fabric indicative of ceremonial use in a nautical application. Likely commissioned by a wealthy individual for either the launch of a U.S. Navy vessel, for which they were the monetary sponsor, or for a personal yacht. Expertly constructed by a professional flag-maker and entirely hand-sewn throughout, the stars are made of cotton and are double- appliquéd (applied to both sides). The flag bears a golden brown, hemp or flax binding along the hoist, with two whip-stitched grommets, one each at the extreme top and bottom, while the pennant has a wedge shaped binding and, though similar in color, made of twill-woven cotton, also with a hand-sewn grommet. The stars of the flag are arranged in a configuration that falls among the best that one may encounter in 19th century examples. This consists of a widely spaced, double-wreath style medallion. Like many circular patterns, the design consists of a single center star, surrounded by consecutive rings, with flanking stars in each corner. This flag is particularly unusual, due to the fact that the inner wreath displays just 5 stars, tightly grouped about the center star, with a wreath of 18 much further beyond. And while most circular arrangements include just one star in each corner, this one instead exhibits groups of 3. The resulting graphics are not unlike an exploding firework, with an impressive visual impact. In this sense, the star pattern is similar to others that I have loosely termed “starburst medallions.” Though I have usually applied this label to flags that have outward-stretching rows of stars, emanating from the center of the pattern, the overall presentation here bears notable similarities. Found in Massachusetts, I expect that the flag was most likely made there. It seems extremely likely that the cluster of 6 stars in the center, and the count of 6 stars on the accompanying pennant, bore some importance to the owner who commissioned them. Massachusetts does happen to be the 6th state to ratify the Constitution, though whether or not this bears any relevance remains unknown. Commission pennants are the distinguishing mark of a commissioned U.S. Navy ship. Termed “narrow pennants” by the U.S. Navy in mid-19th century regulations, and flown at the topmast, this would be the first thing one would see coming over the horizon and identified the particular vessel as a warship. A ship became commissioned when the pennant was hoisted. Flown during both times of peace and war, the only time it is not flown, by a U.S. Navy vessel, is if a flag officer or civilian official was aboard and replaced it with their own flag. Owners of private ships often mimicked the use of Navy signals. Some seafaring men would have, of course, served in the Navy prior to being civilian ship captains or officers, some traditions over to non-military use. Use of similar signals was particularly prevalent in yachting, which gained great popularity in America in the mid-19th century. Other vessels flew a plethora of flags for purely stylistic reasons, either on a regular basis or while the boat was dressed for special occasion. Hudson River steamers regularly flew narrow pennants of this nature, as evidenced by period photography as well as the paintings of artists such as John and James Bard. The count of 18 stars in the outer ring may also be of significance. If so, and if the count of 6 likewise bears meaning, this may explain why trios of stars are displayed in each corner as opposed to just one. 18 was the official number of stars on the American national flag that represented the count Free States at the opening of the Civil War, in April of 1861, and was the number of states at the time of Lincoln’s election, in November of 1860. 36 reflects the nation’s total following the addition of Nevada, near the war’s end, and the number present at the time of Lincoln’s assassination. Though the reasons for the use of these particular counts has not yet been revealed with certainty, there is a great deal of symbolism in the flags of this period. Due to its wealth in silver and increased support of the Republican, anti-slavery ticket, Lincoln pushed Nevada through to become the 36th state on Halloween, October 31st, 1864, just 8 days before the November election. It was followed by Nebraska on March 1st, 1867. After the 3rd Flag Act, of 1818, stars were officially added on Independence Day for all states that entered over the previous year. Though the 36th star was therefore not officially added until July 4th, 1865, after the close of the Civil War, few seem to have cared, or perhaps even knew, what was official, and almost all makers of flags, both public and private, including those producing for the American military, added stars as soon as a new state was in. Sometimes the count was even increased well beforehand, in hopeful anticipation of a new state or states, or else simply for practical purposes. Though Kansas had been admitted as the 34th state, for example, on January 29th, 1861, when Confederates attacked Ft. Sumter, on April 12th, there were officially 33 stars on the flag. Though the count would not officially increase to 34 until July 4th, almost all flags produced for regiments in the Civil War’s opening year bore 34 stars. To do otherwise would have theoretically meant that all flags made between April and July would have be subsequently updated, which was impractical. As soon as a state was in, if not before, its star was added. In summary, this is a tremendous pair of Civil War era flags, off-the-charts rare to encounter in this combination, and with the national flag displaying one of the most incredible star configurations that one could wish for. Without doubt, in my long experience with early flags, this is among my personal favorites of anything I have ever owned. Provenance: Exhibited from June 12th – September 6th, 2021 at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, in an exhibit entitled “Flags & Founding Documents.” The flag portion of this, curated by Jeff Bridgman, featured 43 flags that span American history as we progressed from 13 to 50 stars, with a particular focus on not only flags that display the anticipated and/or actual addition of states, but the subtraction of both Union and Slave States during the Antebellum and the Civil War periods. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings |
| Flag Type: | Sewn flag |
| Star Count: | 36 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1864 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1867 |
| State/Affiliation: | Nevada |
| War Association: | 1861-1865 Civil War |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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