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  13 STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION ON A LARGE SCALE PARADE FLAG MADE FOR THE 1876 CENTENNIAL

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 16.5" x 13"
Flag Size (H x L): 5.5" x 9.5"
Description....:
13 STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION ON A LARGE SCALE PARADE FLAG MADE FOR THE 1876 CENTENNIAL:

13 star American national parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton, made for the 1876 celebration of our nation’s 100-year anniversary of independence. The stars are arranged in a medallion that consists of a large center star, surrounded by a wreath of eight stars, with a flanking star in each corner of the navy blue canton.

While the size might seem small, this is actually one of the larger varieties of centennial parade flags with 13 stars, almost all of which are tiny when compared to most that bear the full star count during the same period. Generally speaking, the larger examples are more scarce and the greater impact that they present over their smaller counterparts makes them more desirable.

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 1825-26, the celebration of the nation's centennial in 1876, and the Sesquicentennial in 1926. They were displayed during the Civil War, to reference past struggles for American liberty and victory over oppression, and were used by 19th century politicians in political campaigning for the same reason. The U.S. Navy used the 13 star count on small boats until 1916, because it was easier to discern fewer stars at a distance on a small flag. Commercial flag-makers mirrored this practice and some private ships flew 13 star flags during the same period as the Navy. The use of yachting ensigns with a wreath of 13 stars surrounding an fouled anchor, which allowed pleasure boats to bypass customs between 1848 and 1980, persists today without an official purpose.

Mounting: The paint-decorated molding dates to the period between 1870 and 1890. It has an ebonized lip around the perimeter, followed by a brown surface with black sponging, followed by a solid brown and another ebonized stripe, ending with a gold lip. The flag has been placed in its correct vertical position, with its canton in the upper left. It has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which was washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye, which was heat-treated for the same purpose. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass.

Condition: There is a small tear in the canton that runs through the tip of one star. There is some misprinting of blue along the leading edge and in the 4th red stripe. There are some pencil marks in the last three stripes. There is minor soiling and fraying.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1876
Latest Date of Origin: 1876
State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies
War Association: 1866-1890 Indian Wars
Price: SOLD
 

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