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  ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH 13 STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION, CHROMATIC BLUE & ORANGE , A RARE EXAMPLE, OPENING YEARS OF THE CIVIL WAR (1861-63)

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 9.75" x 11.75"
Flag Size (H x L): 6.25" x 4"
Description....:
13 STARS IN A WREATH CONFIGURATION, CHROMATIC BLUE AND ORANGE , A RARE EXAMPLE THAT DATES TO THE OPENING YEARS OF THE CIVIL WAR (1861-63):

The vast majority of 13 star parade flags made during the 19th century date to the 1876 celebration of our nation's centennial of independence, but this rare flag is one of the few and scarce examples that is known to have been made in the patriotism that rekindled during the Civil War. Because I have previously found this particular variety with 34 star parade flags that were, without doubt, printed by the same maker, on the same fabric and with the same dyes, I can specifically date this style to the opening two years of the war (1861-1863), before West Virginia broke off of Virginia and entered the Union as the 35th state.

Among known 13 star parade flags, this is an unusual variation for a couple of reasons. One is the coloration of the canton and stripes, which appear in vibrant, chromatic shades of blue and sunfire red. Another is the small size of the stars in respect to the size of the canton. And yet another is the fact that all of the stars are the same size, because most designs have a large center star.

13 star flags have been used throughout our nation's history for a variety of purposes. Among other uses, 13 star flags were carried by soldiers during the Mexican and Civil Wars and displayed at patriotic events, including Lafayette's visit in 1825-26, the celebration of the Nation's centennial in 1876, and the Sesquicentennial in 1926. The U.S. Navy used the 13 star count on small boats, not only in the 18th century, but throughout much or all of the 19th century, particularly the second half. The practice ended in 1916 following an executive order from President Woodrow Wilson. Some private ships used 13 star flags during the same period as the Navy, and the use of yachting ensigns with a wreath of 13 stars surrounding an anchor, which served as an official signal for bypassing customs between 1848 and 1980, persists today without an official purpose.

Mounting: The beveled profile frame retains its original black paint and gilded liner and dates to second quarter of the 19th century (1825-1850). The flag has been stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which 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. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass.

Condition: Excellent.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1861
Latest Date of Origin: 1863
State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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