Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  35 STARS ON ONE SIDE AND 36 ON THE OTHER, ARRANGED IN A RARE RANDOM SCATTER WITH NO PARTICULAR PATTERN, ON A CIVIL WAR PERIOD FLAG WITH GREAT FOLK QUALITIES; REPRESENTS THE ADDITION OF BOTH WEST VIRGINIA AND NEVADA, 1863-1865

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Unframed
Flag Size (H x L): 57.5" x 85.5"
Description....:
35 STARS ON ONE SIDE AND 36 ON THE OTHER, ARRANGED IN A RARE RANDOM SCATTER WITH NO PARTICULAR PATTERN, ON A CIVIL WAR PERIOD FLAG WITH GREAT FOLK QUALITIES; REPRESENTS THE ADDITION OF BOTH WEST VIRGINIA AND NEVADA, 1863-1865

In the world of antique American flags there are nearly countless star patterns. Because there was no official configuration until 1912, their design before that time was left to the whims of the maker. Most structured their stars in lineal rows or columns. A smaller number of flag-makers chose medallion designs that employ two or three consecutive wreaths. Typically these have a star in the very center and one in each corner, outside the circular rings. Substantially further down the rarity scale is the "Great Star" pattern, in which the smaller stars are arranged in the profile of one large star. This pattern is highly coveted and visually powerful, but there are rarer configurations still. Among these are circles within squares, pentagons, ovals, diamonds, starbursts, shields and snowflakes. Then there are flags where the stars actually spell something with alphabetic or numeric characters.

While it is not uncommon for 19th century flags to have stars that are seemingly random in their vertical orientation, spun in various directions on their individual axis (one point up, two points up, canted to the left or right, etc.), it is, however, very rare for them to not be arranged as a group in any particular pattern. Such is the case on this flag, which bears an unusual combination of 35 stars on the obverse (front) and 36 on the reverse, lacking any apparent order.

The random star placement is interesting reasons beyond rarity. The most obvious of these is the whimsical presentation that results. This lends the flag an early appearance, congruent with its Civil War period date, yet at the same time bears the visual qualities of modern art. I personally love random pattern flags because they are simultaneously so unique and attractive.

The most unusual thing about the flag past the configuration of its stars is their number. While it could be the case that one star was removed, it seems more likely that there was never a 36th star on the obverse side of the canton. There is no evidence of a star having formerly been appliquéd in the bottom fly-end corner, in the open area where the white stitching appears from the 36th star present on the reverse. There is no fading around a star-shaped profile, no loose threads, and no holes from threads previously removed.

While stars were sometimes removed as souvenirs by officers and soldiers following wartime use, I’ve seldom encountered evidence souveniring, despite having seen, examined and handled thousands of 19th century flags. Many fragments are sold in the antiques marketplace as having been the result of souveniring from one important flag or another, but I give little credence to them and never buy them. Unless the original flag that they were taken from survives and is accessible for comparison and/or necessary scientific analysis, there is actual way to prove origin.

It seems more likely that the maker of this flag constructed it while there were officially 35 stars (between July 4th, 1863 and July 3rd, 1865, before the 36th star was added for Nevada. While exceedingly rare, other flags are known with different star counts on the obverse and reverse. Two Civil War use examples are known with 34 stars on one side and 13 stars on the other, apparently to represent the 13 original colonies, referencing a previous conflict over American liberties. Most flag-makers didn’t pursue consecutive numbers, such as 35 and 36 stars, on one flag. One notable example, however, sold at Sotheby’s in 2002, bore 39 stars on one side and 40 on the other. I was in possession of this flag for some time and can attest that the disparate star count appeared by all means legitimate.

West Virginia broke off from Virginia on June 20th of that year and the 35 star flag became official on July 4th, just one day following the Battle of Gettysburg. Although 35 remained the official star count until July 3rd, 1865, following the war’s end, most flag making--especially that which was not under military contract--would have included a 36th star upon the addition of Nevada on October 31st, 1864. This means that 35 star flags were realistically produced for less than a year-and-a-half. The 36 star flag became official on July 4th, 1865 and remained so until July 3rd, 1867.

This is a homemade flag. The stars are made of cotton, hand-sewn and double-appliquéd (applied to both sides). The stripes are made of cotton bunting, joined with treadle stitching. The canton is made of a blended cotton fabric that appears to have some wool content. This is typical of homemade cotton flags produced during the Civil War, when there seems to have been a scarcity of plain blue cotton fabric. There is a cotton binding along the hoist, applied with treadle stitching.

Note how the canton is slightly taller than it is in length, which mimics many Civil War battle flags. Also note how the canton isn't set precisely on top a stripe, as was customary, but protrudes into the 3rd one from the top. Features such as these, which make early flags very different in appearance from modern ones, lend further interest to collectors.

Mounting: The flag has not yet been mounted. We employ professional staff with masters degrees in textile conservation and can attend to all of your mounting and framing needs.
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:
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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