Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
Sold Flags



  36 STARS, A UNION INFANTRY BATTLE FLAG, ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN, MADE OF SILK, WITH SINGLE-APPLIQUED STARS, NEVADA STATEHOOD, 1864-67

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L):
Flag Size (H x L): 72" x 76"
Description....:
36 STARS, A UNION INFANTRY BATTLE FLAG, ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN, MADE OF SILK, WITH SINGLE-APPLIQUED STARS, NEVADA STATEHOOD, 1864-67:

36 Star American National flag of the Civil War era, mad of silk and entirely hand sewn. This extraordinary and unusual example is a Union infantry battle colors. It is extraordinary because the sewing in this flag is equal to the finest I have ever seen in flag making and the colors are very bold. It is unusual for a host of reasons. One is the application of the stars, which are typically painted on Civil War battle flags in the 34-star or 35-star count, yet are hand-sewn on this flag. The stars are single-appliqued, which means that they were applied to one side of the canton only, then cut-outs were made behind each star and the surrounding fabric was under-hemmed, so that each star was visible on both sides of the royal blue canton. The silk construction and fine sewing are rare in 36 star flags and the blue silk sleeve along the hoist is also unusual.

For all practical purposes, Battle flag made an issued during the Civil War did not have 36 stars. This is because there was plenty of stock of 34 and 35 star flags made in the opening years of the war to adequately equip Union troops. But there are known exceptions. The 36th state, Nevada, entered the Union during the Civil War on October 31st, 1864. The last Confederate general surrendered on May 26th, 1865. The 36 star flag became official on July 4th of that year, but some flag-makers would have begun adding a 36th star to their flags in 1864, even before the addition of the new state occurred. I have seen dated examples as early as July 4th, 1864. Lincoln pushed Nevada through just 8 days before the November election to increase his support. While the population of the state was quite small, it was a free state and its political alignment was generally Republican. The 36 star flag was replaced by the 37 star flag in 1867, with the addition of Nebraska.

A great flag for any advanced collector.

Mounting: The flag is not currently mounted. For an additional cost it can be stitched to 100% cotton or linen, and mounted over an acid free strainer. It could also be framed behind U.V. protective acrylic, either with a traditional molding, or in a museum display box.

Condition: Absolutely remarkable for a silk flag of this age, with only minor staining. There are some vertical splits in the stripe field, accompanied by a number of very tiny holes.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 36
Earliest Date of Origin: 1864
Latest Date of Origin: 1867
State/Affiliation: Nevada
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

Views: 5775