Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
Sold Flags



  37 STARS ON A LARGE SCALE SILK PARADE FLAG WITH "DANCING" OR "TUMBLING" ORIENTATION, NEBRASKA STATEHOOD, 1867-1876, THE ERA OF AMERICAN RECONSTRUCTION

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 41" x 57.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 29.75" x 46.5"
Description....:
37 STARS ON A LARGE SCALE SILK PARADE FLAG WITH "DANCING" OR "TUMBLING" ORIENTATION, NEBRASKA STATEHOOD, 1867-1876, THE ERA OF AMERICAN RECONSTRUCTION:

37 star American national parade flag, printed on silk, bound along the hoist and fly ends with treadle stitching. The stars are configured in justified lineal rows of 6-6-6-7-6-6 and are oriented such that they alternate point-up, point-down consecutively throughout the field so that they are what I have termed dancing or tumbling.

One might expect that this layout, with an extra star squeezed into in the 4th row, may have progressed from a previous arrangement of 36 stars in columns that alternated with stars point-up, point-down from one to the next across the canton, but I have never encountered a 36 star parade flag in that design in any format, size, or fabric.

The 37th state, Nebraska, joined the Union on March 1st, 1867. The 37 star flag was official from that year until 1877, although it generally fell from use in 1875 or 1876 with the impending addition of more states. The 37 star-count is quite scarce in comparison to the flags that immediately preceded and followed it. This is due primarily to the lack of major patriotic events during the period they were used, which followed the Civil War, yet preceded the 1876 anniversary of American independence, and encompassed most of Southern Reconstruction. While the 37 star flag was still official in 1876, it was well known that at least one more state would be joining the Union that year. This caused flag makers to cease production in favor of 38 and 39 star flags. It was for this reason that 37 star parade flags were seldom produced for the Centennial International Exposition, where 38, 39, and 13 star counts (the latter to commemorate the 13 original colonies) were far more prevalent.

Because most parade flags were 3 feet or smaller, this particular example is notably large is scale. Silk was the finest and most expensive fabric used in flag-making and the colors were often stunning. That is no exception in this instance. Note the vibrant shades of scarlet red and royal blue.

Mounting: The flag 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 and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. A light pressure mount was also executed for additional support. The flag was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: There is minor fabric breakdown in the last stripe along the hoist end in the last stripe. There are tiny, pinprick-sizes holes elsewhere and there is extremely minor soiling and fading. Such condition is excellent for the period in a flag of silk construction.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 37
Earliest Date of Origin: 1867
Latest Date of Origin: 1876
State/Affiliation: Nebraska
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

Views: 3219