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  36 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG OF THE CIVIL WAR ERA, IN AN ESPECIALLY LARGE SCALE AND WITH ENDEARING WEAR, 1864-67, NEVADA STATEHOOD

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 55" x 40"
Flag Size (H x L): 43" x 28"
Description....:
36 star American national flag of the Civil War era, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. 36 star American national flag of the Civil War era, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. The 36th state, Nevada, entered the Union during the Civil War on October 31st, 1864. The last Confederate general surrendered on May 26th, 1865. The 36 star flag became official on July 4th of that year, but makers of printed flags would have begun adding a 36th star to their flags in 1864, even before the addition of the new state occurred.

Lincoln pushed Nevada through to statehood on October 31st, 1864, during the Civil War, and just 8 days before the November election. The territory’s wealth in silver was attractive to a nation struggling with the debts of war and so increased support for the Republican ticket. While the 36th star wasn't officially added until July 4th of the following year, the makers of printed flags are known to have begun adding the 36th star as early as July of 1864, several months before the addition of Nevada actually occurred. This was a common practice during the late 19th century and is reflective of both the nation's desire for Westward Expansion and the hope of flag-makers to bring new star counts to market before their competitors. The 36 star flag was officially replaced by the 37 star flag in 1867, following the addition of Nebraska.

Parade flags generally measured three feet or less on the fly. At 43" on the fly, this is a particularly large example. Before 1890, flags with pieced-and-sewn construction were typically 8 feet long and larger. Even infantry battle flags were 6 x 6.5 feet. Because printed parade flags as large as this one are scarce in this period, and sewn flags were seldom ever this small, and because the size is relatively ideal, manageable but large enough to make a bold statement, this is a nice example for a person desiring to have a flag of such size of the Civil War era.

Parade flags were generally meant for one day's use at a parade, political event, or rally of some nature, but this flag was obviously flown for an longer period. The degree of fading and soiling throughout, accompanied by various tears and losses, provide for an endearing appearance that some flag buyers actually prefer.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton twill, black in color, that was 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. The mount was placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The glazing is U.V. protective Plexiglas.

Condition: There is moderate to significant fading throughout, accompanied by some pigment loss along the fly end. There are a number of rust stains near the hoist end, the darkest of which are located within the canton. There is minor to modest oxidation throughout. There are tack holes along the hoist, accompanied by a small tear at the top corner, where the flag was once affixed to a wooden staff. There are moderate tears with associated loss in the 1st, 5th, and 6th white stripes and the 7th red stripe, towards and adjacent to the fly end, accompanied by small holes in 2nd and 3rd white stripes, beyond the canton, and in the 6th white stripe, below the canton. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade 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
 

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