| ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD, WITH 13 SINGLE-APPLIQUED STARS IN A BEAUTIFUL, OVAL ARRANGEMENT OF WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE 3RD MARYLAND PATTERN, MADE SOMETIME BETWEEN THE 1850’s AND THE CIVIL WAR (1861-65) |
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| Web ID: | 13j-1673 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 58" x 81.25" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 46.5" x 69.75" |
| Description: | |
| 13 star American national flag, entirely hand-sewn throughout. Made sometime between approximately the 1850’s and the Civil War (1861-65), the stars are arranged in an oval version of what is known as the 3rd Maryland pattern and are single-appliquéd. This means that they were applied to one side of the blue fabric, which was carefully trimmed from behind, folded over and under-hemmed, so that one star could be viewed on both sides. I have always found single-appliquéd stars more interesting, not only because they are evidence of a more difficult level of seam-work and stitching, but also because they are more visually intriguing. The two visible rows of hand-stitching provide attractive visual qualities, emphasizing the stars’ hand-sewn construction. Note also how the their shape, in conjunction with the sewing, lends a wonderful degree of folk quality to the overall design. Since there was no official star configuration until the 20th century (1912 specifically, beginning with the 48 star count), the stars on 13 star flags may appear in any one of a host of configurations. On this particular example they are arranged in an oval wreath of 12 with a single center star, slightly larger than the rest. This basic configuration, whether oval or circular, has come to be known as the 3rd Maryland pattern. The name comes from a flag that resides at the Maryland State Capitol in Annapolis, long thought to have been present with General Daniel Morgan’s 3rd Maryland Regiment at the Battle of Cowpens in 1781. According to legend, the flag was supposed to have been carried by Color Sergeant William Batchelor of the Maryland Light Infantry and was donated to the state by Batchelor's descendants. The story was disproved in the 1970's, following an examination by the late flag expert Grace Rogers Cooper of the Smithsonian, who discovered that the Cowpens flag was, at the earliest, of Mexican War vintage (1846-48). Despite the lack of direct association with the reputed regiment, many flag collectors and enthusiasts embraced the name, which stuck to the design. The term actually received some legitimacy through the existence of a similar flag, in the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of History & Technology, with verified Maryland provenance. This was carried by the Maryland and District of Columbia Battalion of Volunteers during the Mexican War. This configuration is known to be a very early one, as evidenced by 18th century illustrations, and is actually a contender to have been the design present on the very first flag, of which there is, unfortunately, no descriptive record. Among surviving flags, the 3rd Maryland pattern is most often encountered in those that date to the mid-19th century, roughly within the Mexican War to Civil War time frame (1846-1865). For some reason, it seems to have been less popular during our nation's 100-year anniversary, in 1876, though some examples of that period are known. Both the canton of the flag and the stripes are made of wool bunting. This was a fabric peculiar to the making of flags and banners, not employed in the manufacture of other textiles. The rectangular patches in each corner are called gussets. These are original to the flag's construction and were added for reinforcement at the points where it was subject to the most wear. There is a twill cotton binding along the hoist. This was originally constructed in the form of an open sleeve, through which a rope would be threaded for hoisting. The brass grommets, one each at the top and bottom, appear, due to both their size and their placement, to have been inserted later—an unusual occurrence. Likely this occurred during the 19th century. The first patent for grommets was obtained by E.H. Penfield in 1848. Because Penfield’s specifications were actually recorded as an improvement to existing grommet designs, his were apparently not the first. Another patent was taken by J. Allender in 1854, and three more were recorded before 1870. While grommets obviously existed prior to the Civil War, they are practically never encountered in flag-making prior to 1861, after which time they become extremely common, present in many Civil War flags. A maker’s name was once stenciled in black pigment along the flag’s binding. This has so significantly faded as to have become illegible, in spite of extensive study and examination, by various methods. The characters consist of what is likely a name, applied in an arched format, followed by what is probably a location, configured in a linear format. Maker’s marks are extremely unusual in this period. Though three major firms began to do so, at least in some instances, between roughly 1864 - 1870’s, the presence of many unsigned flags, that I can identify to these firms, based upon various common traits, demonstrates that the use of maker’s marks was extremely inconsistent, a circumstance that persisted well into the 20th century. At just under 6 feet in length on the fly, although this may seem large in a modern context, sewn flags of the 19th century, (as opposed to printed parade flags,) were generally 8-9 feet long and larger. At this time in American history, it was important for flags to serve their intended function as signals, to be recognized at great distance. Even those flags made for decorative use tended to be far larger than their modern counterparts. Because smaller flags are easier to conserve and frame for indoor display, the size of this particular example is desirable for both collectors and one-time buyers alike, small enough to be manageable, but large enough to make prominent visual impact. 13 star flags have been flown throughout our nation’s history for a variety of purposes. They were hoisted at patriotic events, including Lafayette’s visit in 1824-25, the celebration of the centennial of American independence in 1876, and annual celebrations if Independence Day. They were displayed during the Civil War, to reference past struggles for liberty and were displayed by 19th century politicians while campaigning for the same reason. As the number of stars grew with the addition of new states, it became more and more difficult to fit their full complement on a small flag. The stars would, by necessity, have to become smaller, which made it more and more difficult to view them from a distance as individual objects. The fear was that too many of them close together would become as one white mass and distort the ability to identify American ships on the open seas. Keeping the count low allowed for better visibility. For this reason, the U.S. Navy flew 13 star flags on small boats. Some private ship owners mirrored this practice and flew 13 star flags during the same period as the Navy. Flag experts disagree about precisely when the Navy began to revert to 13 stars and other low counts. Some feel that the use of 13 star flags never stopped, which seems to be supported by depictions of ships in period artwork. This was, of course, the original number of stars on the first American national flag, by way of the First Flag Act of 1777, and equal to the number of original colonies that became states. Any American flag that has previously been official remains so according to the flag acts, so it remains perfectly acceptable to fly 13 star flags today by way of congressional law. Because any American flag that has previously been official remains so according to the flag acts, it remains perfectly acceptable to fly 13 star flags today by way of congressional law. Throughout history, and even today, they are boldly displayed at every presidential inauguration. Mounting: We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples. For 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 programs. The antique American molding dates to the period between 1840 and 1870, has inflection profile, and a paint-decorated surface with a hand-gilded inner lip. The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, that was washed and treated for colorfastness. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Condition: In addition to the significant fading of the stenciled maker’s mark, discussed above, there are two very small holes in the canton, one to the hoist-end side of the center star and one along the lower edge, plus two in the first white stripe. There are a number of tiny instances of loss elsewhere throughout, including within the cotton stars. There is a small amount of soiling along the binding. This is an exceptional state of preservation for a wool flag of the period. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use. |
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| Collector Level: | Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings |
| Flag Type: | Sewn flag |
| Star Count: | 13 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1861 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1865 |
| State/Affiliation: | 13 Original Colonies |
| 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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