| 34 STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH A LARGE, HALOED CENTER STAR; CIVIL WAR PERIOD, KANSAS STATEHOOD, 1861-1863 |
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| Web ID: | 34j-980 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 19.5" x 25.5" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 10.75" x 16.5" |
| Description: | |
| 34 star American national parade flag, printed on cotton and bearing a beautiful medallion configuration that has a large, haloed center star. This is one of the boldest wreath pattern designs of the Civil War era. Although the name of the maker of this flag is unknown, the company is known to have produced at least five other star counts with haloed center stars. Examples exist with 30, 31, 35, 36, and 42 stars. Three examples also exist, probably from different makers, that bear 13 stars. One dates to 1856 and was made for the presidential campaign of James Buchanan. Another was made for the 1860 presidential campaign of John Bell, who ran against Abraham Lincoln, as an independent, on the Constitutional Union Party ticket. Another style, printed on a wool and cotton blended fabric, dates to the 1876 centennial and all of its 13 stars have halos. Within the 34 star examples with a haloed center star there are two different sizes, of which this is the larger. The larger variety tends to be better looking and the more desirable. Further, among those I have seen over the years, all of which are extremely scarce, this is one of the two nicest examples I have encountered. Kansas was admitted into the Union as the 34th state on January 29th, 1861, about 2½ months before the Confederate assault on Fort Sumter that marked the beginning of the Civil War. The 34th star was officially added on July 4th of that year, but most flag makers would have added a 34th star with the addition of Kansas in January. The star count remained official until July 4th, 1863, and 34 star flags would have been produced until the addition of West Virginia in June of that year. It is of interest to note that a flag in this style was discovered tacked to the staff of a political campaign torch, of a type that I believe to have been carried by the Wide Awakes Republican club in one of Lincoln’s two campaigns. If carried in 1860, the star count would have been anticipatory, since Kansas had not yet been added. The addition of stars before the respective state had even been added became common place in the second half of the 19th century, but is unusual to encounter in flags with fewer than 36 stars. Because I am not of the opinion that this style of 34 star parade flag was made prior to Kansas statehood, I suspect that the flag was added to an 1864-carried torch. Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert trained staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples. The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been washed and treated for colorfastness. The exceptional half-round molding dates to the Civil War era or prior, is made of solid mahogany, and retains its original surface. The glazing is U.V. protective glass. Feel free to contact us for more details. Condition: There is minor soiling and there are some tiny stains. There are a number of pinprick-sized holes, especially along the hoist end, where the flag was once affixed to its original wooden staff. There is minor pigment loss. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use. The overall condition is excellent for the period and the flag displays beautifully. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything |
| Flag Type: | Parade flag |
| Star Count: | 34 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1861 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1863 |
| State/Affiliation: | Kansas |
| 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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