| ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH 30 STARS, THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE IN THIS SIMPLE BUT EXTRAORDINARY STYLE, PRE-CIVIL WAR, OFFICIAL FOR JUST TWO YEARS, REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF WISCONSIN AS THE 30th STATE, 1848-1850; ILLUSTRATED IN “THE STARS & THE STRIPES, FABRIC OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT” BY J. RICHARD PIERCE |
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| Web ID: | 30-002 |
| Available: | On Hold |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 32.25" x 43.75" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 21" x 32.25" |
| Description: | |
| 30 star American national parade flag, block-printed on fine cotton, possibly with some flax content. The only known example in this style, its stars are arranged in 5 neatly justified rows of 6, each with a single point directed upward. Though not dynamically configured and seemingly innocuous by description—traits I would not ordinarily be drawn to—from the moment I first picked up this exemplary flag, more than 20 years ago, I have remained unwaveringly enamored, not only of its unique status among identified examples in this rare star count, in which only three variations of printed parade flags have thus-far been discovered, but even more so of how beautiful and visually peculiar this flag is among the precious, surviving examples of the pre-Civil War era. Chief among the factors contributing to why this flag is so special are traces of the lustrous, glazed surface of the white fabric throughout, on which it was printed with beautiful matte shades of Prussian blue and tomato red. Also of great interest are the flag’s very unusual margins. Though the original amount of white fabric present above and below this flag cannot be known, presumably separating it from others on the original bolt, the amount of open area to the left and right, between the printed region and the selvedge edges, is extraordinary. Although this circumstance, with so much open space, is rarely ever encountered in parade flags of any period, it is keenly notable here, especially given the flag’s early date, when waste of this nature would have routinely been avoided, especially when the fly end could be bound by hand-stitching, as-is the case here. The presence of this feature may in itself be testament to an extremely small run of production, the printer having made do with whatever fabric was available, perhaps too meet a deadline for a buyer who commissioned them, or in the face of availability of fabric in the correct scale, maybe in some far-flung location. Even if the extra fabric had no foreseeable use in the near future, in almost all instances the extra would have been saved by aligning the fly end close to the selvedge and trimming along the hoist, with a small allowance for hemming. Whatever the case may be, the margins are far greater than I have ever seen, though at the same time surprisingly attractive, particularly with the knowledge of both historical context and just how unordinary it is, compounded by the fact that this is, presently, the only one known. Further evidence of this having been the work of someone who may not have regularly made few flags is evident around the perimeter of the blue pigment, including the interior of the stars, where oil or some other binder seeped into the cotton and caused a taupe-colored halo. Regular use of this pigment by a printer seems unlikely. Wisconsin joined the Union as the 30th state on May 29th, 1848, and the 30th star was officially added on July 4th of that year. Although this remained the official count until July 3rd, 1851, flags in this star count would not have produced following the addition of California on September 9th, 1850. Flag-makers, both commercial and otherwise, paid little heed to official star counts, instead selecting what was practical. Sometimes a star might even be added before a new state came in, in hopeful anticipation. This meant that the 30 star flag had a realistic window of production of just over two years. Flags made prior to the Civil War (1861-1865) are extremely rare, comprising less than one percent of 19th century flags that have survived into the 21st century. Prior to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, the Stars & Stripes was simply not used for most of the same purposes that we employ it in today. Private individuals did not typically display the flag in their yards and on their porches. Parade flags didn't often fly from carriages and horses. Places of business rarely hung flags in their windows. Private use of the national flag rose swiftly during the patriotism that accompanied the Civil War, then exploded in 1876 during the centennial of American independence. 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, with a design peculiar unto itself, and perhaps a standard that featured the numeric designation on a painted or embroidered streamer, on a solid buff yellow or blue ground. Most people are surprised to learn that ground forces were not authorized to carry the Stars & Stripes until well into the 19th century. It was first assigned to artillery regiments in 1834. Infantry was afforded the privilege in 1841, just prior to the Mexican War (1846-1848), while cavalry regiments were not authorized until 1862, the second year of the Civil War. The first printed parade flags appeared between 1837 and 1845. The earliest display either 26 stars, to reflect the addition Michigan as the 26th state, or 13 stars, paying homage to the original 13 colonies and the birth of our nation. Made just shortly thereafter, this particular example falls among the earliest of all known printed flags. Prior to 1861, the only regular non-military use of the flag seems to have been for political campaigning. The first parade flags that are datable to a specific year—adorned with corresponding text and/or images for the purpose of advertising—appeared in 1840, produced for the successful presidential campaign of Whig Party nominee William Henry Harrison. In spite of not bearing names, slogans, portraits, or some other political text or imagery, the most likely intent of this 30 star parade flag would have likewise been for display at a political parade or rally. The most likely year of production would be 1848, when Whigs Zachary Taylor & Millard Fillmore defeated Democrats Lewis Cass & William Orlando Butler, as well as the independent, Free Soil Party ticket of former President Martin Van Buren and Charles Francis Adams, Sr. Provenance: Sold by Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques in or around 2004 to collector Richard Pierce. This exact flag is documented on page 15 of "The Stars & The Stripes: Fabric of the American Spirit" by J. Richard Pierce (2005), which serves as the best available reference for parade flags specifically. Mounting: For more than 25 years we have maintained a specialized department for this purpose. Our lead conservator holds a master's degree in textile conservation from one of the nation’s top university programs. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples. The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been washed and treated for colorfastness. The mount was placed in a deep, cove-shaped molding with a very dark brown surface, nearly black, and a rope-style inner lip, to which a flat profile molding, with a finish like old gun metal, was added as a liner. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Feel free to contact us for more details. Condition: There is minor to modest water staining in limited areas minor misprinting along the hoist end of the canton. There is some age toning throughout. Overall exceptional for the period, especially given its rarity. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings |
| Flag Type: | Parade flag |
| Star Count: | 30 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1848 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1850 |
| State/Affiliation: | Wisconsin |
| War Association: | 1777-1860 Pre-Civil War |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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