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  13 LARGE STARS IN THE 4-5-4 PATTERN ON A BEAUTIFULLY GRAPHIC FLAG MADE BETWEEN 1864 AND THE 1876 CENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, A U.S. NAVY SMALL BOAT ENSIGN

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 58.75" x 80.75"
Flag Size (H x L): 47.5" x 69.75"
Description....:
13 LARGE STARS IN THE 4-5-4 PATTERN ON A BEAUTIFULLY GRAPHIC FLAG MADE BETWEEN 1864 AND THE 1876 CENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, A U.S. NAVY SMALL BOAT ENSIGN:

13 star American national flag with some beautifully graphic features in its especially bold stars that have a large, bulging profile. This is a U.S. Navy small boat ensign, made either at the tail end of the Civil War between 1864 and 1865, or in the period during Reconstruction of the South, 1865-1876. The latter was an era of scarce military production, but a small handful of examples are known that share this flag's uncommon construction elements.

The large cotton stars are appliqued to the obverse of the canton with a treadle machine, but the under-hemming of the single-applique work on the reverse was accomplished by hand. The stripes and stars are made of wool bunting, joined by treadle-stitching. There is a treadle-sewn sleeve along the hoist, made of fine cotton, through which braided cotton twine was threaded and stitched into place, with loops at the top and bottom so that it could be affixed to a rope for hoisting.

I used to presume this variety to be post-war, until I stumbled upon a flag that appears identical to this one in an 1890's image of Civil War veterans on Nantucket Island. Men belonging to this particular veteran's Grand Army of the Republic) post were certainly sailors and the flags held in group photos of this period were almost invariably ones that the respective unit had carried (or in this case flown) during the war. While Civil War period U.S. Navy flags are almost always hand-sewn, the construction elements of this flag are often seen on 36 and 37 star flags, made in the 1864-1876 era. When this fact is combined with the presence of the same flag in a group image of Civil War veteran sailors, wartime production is not only possible but likely. Post-war production was limited because there was so much existing stock left over from the war itself.

Small boat ensigns were flown at the stern, from a gaff, or from the yard-arm on a larger vessel, or as the primary flag on a skiff or other small craft that carried sailors back and forth to shore.

The 4-5-4 lineal configuration is both scarcer and more appealing than rows of stars in counts of 3-2-3-2-3, and is generally seen on flags made during the Civil War period and prior. On rare occasion it can be seen on flags like this one, made at the end of the war or just following it. For some reason the 4-5-4 pattern was not popular during the celebration of our nation's 100-year anniversary of independence in 1876, or thereafter, so it is both desired and more interesting than some other 13 star designs. It is sometimes seen in the 1890's on small-scale 13 star flags produced by commercial makers, but these are scarce. There was no official star pattern for the 13 star flag set forth in the flag act of June 14th, 1777, and because the original does not survive, nor are descriptions of it recorded in public documents or private journals, no one actually knows what the very first one looked like. Due to its apparent popularity in early America, however, as evidenced by both drawings and surviving 19th century examples, more than one flag expert has hedged that lineal rows of 4-5-4 was probably the original configuration.

Adding considerably to the appeal of this flag is its relatively small size when compared to others made during the 19th century. In modern times, this flag would be considered quite large, but prior to the 1890's however, it is small when compared to its counterparts with sewn construction. Printed parade flags (sometimes called hand-wavers) were generally three feet long or smaller, but flags with sewn construction were generally eight feet long and larger. This is because flags needed to be seen from a distance to be effective in their purpose as signals, while today their use is more often decorative and 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, like this one.

In summary, this is a beautifully graphic and interesting 13 star flag of the Civil War era, in a bold yet manageable size.

Some facts about 13 star Flags: 13 star flags have been used throughout our Nation's history for a variety of purposes. The U.S. Navy flew the 13 star count on small boats, not only in the 18th century, but throughout much or all of the 19th century, particularly the second half. On small flags in particular, the ability discern individual stars was of concern to ship captains. Keeping the count at 13 maintained better visibility and consistency. The practice theoretically ended in 1916 following an executive order from then-President Woodrow Wilson, though old military traditions die hard and according to at least one expert, Wilson's order did not completely dispel the presence of 13 star flags on U.S. Navy craft.

Some private ships flew 13 star flags during the same period as the Navy, and the use of yachting ensigns with a wreath of 13 stars surrounding an anchor, which began in 1848, still persists today. Among other uses, 13 star flags were carried by soldiers during the Mexican and Civil Wars and displayed at various patriotic events, including Lafayette's final visit to the U.S. in 1825-26, the celebration of the Nation's centennial of independence in 1876, and the sesquicentennial in 1926.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% silk organza on every seam and throughout the star field. The flag was then hand-stitched to a background of 100% cotton, black in color, which was washed to remove 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 glazing is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: There is an especially minor amount of foxing and staining and there is minor mothing throughout, accompanied by limited areas with moderate mothing within the first three white stripes. Fabric of similar coloration was placed behind the flag during the mounting process to mask losses. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1865
Latest Date of Origin: 1876
State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies
War Association: 1866-1890 Indian Wars
Price: SOLD
 

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