Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
Sold Flags



  22 STARS, AN EXTRAORDINARY SOUTHERN-EXCLUSIONARY FLAG OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD, 1863-65

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 48" x 70.75"
Flag Size (H x L): 34" x 57.25"
Description....:
22 STARS, AN EXTRAORDINARY SOUTHERN-EXCLUSIONARY FLAG OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD, 1863-65:

Entirely hand-sewn American National Flag of the Civil War period with a southern-exclusionary count of just 22 stars. President Abraham Lincoln fervently urged the American people not to remove the stars from the flag that represented the states that were succeeding from the Union. Lincoln felt strongly that there was great need to demonstrate that he had not written off those Americans living in the South who did not support the ideals of Jefferson Davis and the Confederacy. He also thought there was great need to show both the Nation and the world that we were still a unified body and that he would do everything in his power to ensure victory. Despite Lincoln's pleas, however, some anti-Southern patriots did as they wished in regards to the number of stars on the Stars & Stripes, removing those that represented Confederate states.

The 22 stars on this particular flag would have been intended to represent the 35 total states during the closing years of the war (1863-56), less the 11 that officially seceded, less the two Border States whose populations voted for secession, but which did not officially secede from the Union.

Note in particular the whimsical, lineal arrangement of the stars, which point in various directions on their vertical axis. While some flags were made by more than one person and thus had stars that look visually different from one-another, it appears likely that the first row of these stars was replaced at some time during its course of use, as the corresponding portion of the canton that contains that row appears to be a replacement. The difference in the color of the fabric may not have been nearly as prominent at the time of the flag's making or alteration. While some dyes are more subject to fading from exposure than others, some can simply be fugitive, which means that the color fades even if it isn't exposed to ultravilotet rays, water, or any other degenerative source. Clearly these are two different dye lots, and even two different weaves, so the color difference isn't unexpected. In this particular case it adds an interesting, primitive feature to a flag that already has great visual appeal.

Today, in the 21st century, flags with pieced and sewn construction that measure five feet long or shorter are commonplace. Prior to the 1890's, however, sewn flags of this size are considered extraordinarily small. Parade flags (also called hand-wavers), were printed on cloth or paper. These generally measured three feet long or smaller and were made for short-term use at parades, reunions, and rallies. Their sewn counterparts, however, made for long-term outdoor use, were typically between seven and thirty-five feet in length, sometimes even larger. This is because the purpose of flags in the 19th century and prior was primarily as signals that needed to be seen from a distance to be effective. This changed as we moved into the 20th century. As time passed their use became more and more decorative, for the general display of patriotism. In the 19th century, even those flags made for decorative purpose were often large by today's standards, so the average 19th century sewn flag can be cumbersome to frame and display in an indoor setting. This is why many collectors prefer printed parade flags and smaller sewn flags, such as this one, the size of which is ideal for a balance of visual impact and versatility.

The stars of the flag are made of cotton, are hand-sewn and single-appliqued. This means that they were applied to one side of the canton, then the blue calico fabric was cut from behind each star, folded over, and under-hemmed, so that one appliqued star could be visible on both sides of the flag. While some persons have pointed to this as a means of conserving fabric and cutting corners (not having to sew another star to the other side), others suggest that the real purpose was to make the flag lighter in weight. I believe it to be both a function of all of the above and I always find single-appliqued stars more interesting, sometimes because they are more visually intriguing and always because, when executed properly, they are firm evidence of an even more difficult level of seam-work and stitching. The visual expectation is certainly the case here.

The stripes and canton are made of lightweight cotton that has been joined with treadle stitching. While a poor fabric for flag-making, because it absorbs water, cotton was nonetheless the fabric of choice for most homemade flags, like this one, as wool bunting wasn't widely available in general stores and silk was too costly.

There is a cotton sleeve along the hoist end, on which the name "T. Wentworth" was written with a dip pen. This would indicate the name of a former owner. During the 19th century it was very common to mark a flag with one's name to indicate ownership.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% silk organza on every seam and throughout the star field for support. It was then sewn to a background of 100% cotton twill, black in color, which has been 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 then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The front is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: See paragraph III (above) for a discussion of the period replacement in the canton. There are also various tears and minor losses. Fabric of similar coloration was placed behind the flag for masking purposes. There is moderate foxing and staining throughout.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 22
Earliest Date of Origin: 1863
Latest Date of Origin: 1865
State/Affiliation: Other
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: sold
 

Views: 4657