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  35 POINTY, WHIMSICAL STARS ON A FLAG WITH AN ESPECIALLY ELONGATED PROFILE, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, 1863-65, WEST VIRGINIA STATEHOOD

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L):
Flag Size (H x L): 49" x 113"
Description....:
35 POINTY, WHIMSICAL STARS ON A FLAG WITH AN ESPECIALLY ELONGATED PROFILE, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, 1863-65, WEST VIRGINIA STATEHOOD:

35 star American national flag of the Civil War period, with strong colors and great graphics provided for by its exaggerated features. These include a field of unusually pointy, especially whimsical stars, placed in haphazard rows across the Navy blue canton. Some of these actually overlap not only the stitching of the hems on all four sides, but actually fall into the white stripe below the union. This means that the stars were sewn onto the flag after the canton was joined to the stripes, a condition that is most unusual, especially in a commercially-produced flag of such a large size. It is much easier to applique the stars to the canton when it is separate from the rest of the flag, because the fabric is a lot smaller and easier to manage.

The fact that the stars point in every which direction on their vertical axis adds a great deal to their appearance. When viewed in combination with their interesting shapes, the overall effect is striking.

Another visual attribute that contributes to the flag's presentation lies in its elongated format. 4 x 9.5 feet is the specified size of a U.S. Army, Civil War recruiting flag. I have owned 34 star examples with the same dimensions, at least two of which were signed by a New York maker who is documented to have produced recruitment flags under military contract. Due to its strong folk qualities, this example, with 35 stars, is far more graphically intriguing than its known 34-star counterparts. None of these flags survive in great numbers; they are extremely scarce.

Long, skinny flags like this one were particularly practical for extended use, because the fly end could be trimmed and hemmed many times to repair wind damage. Replacement wasn't as easy once a ship was at sea, for example, where the wind was also more fierce without natural barriers. The long profile also resulted in a flag that could be viewed at a greater distance without consuming a lot of vertical space.

This particular flag was found in the attic of a New Hampshire home.

West Virginia was admitted into the Union as the 35th state on June 20th, 1863, a few days before the battle of Gettysburg. The 35th star was officially added on July 4th of that year and the flag technically remained official during the closing of the war. Production would have generally ceased, however, just one year later, with the addition of the 36th state.

Construction: The stars are hand-sewn, made of cotton, and double-appliqued. This means that they were applied to both sides of the canton. The stripes and canton of the flag are made of wool bunting that has been joined with treadle stitching. There is a heavy cotton binding along the hoist with three brass grommets. The canton was pieced in 2 sections, due to the fact that wool bunting was only available in widths of 18 inches. Two of the stripes were pieced in order to make the best use of available fabric.

Mounting: The flag has not yet been mounted. We employ a full time conservation staff and can attend to all of your mounting and framing needs.

Condition: There are a couple of very tiny holes, and there is minor foxing and staining, but the overall condition is extraordinary for a wool flag of this period.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 35
Earliest Date of Origin: 1863
Latest Date of Origin: 1865
State/Affiliation: West Virginia
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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