| 39 STARS ON A HOMEMADE, ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH AN EXTREMELY RARE COMBINATION OF JUSTIFIED COLUMNS AND A HUGE, HALOED CENTER STAR, INFUSED AMONG THEM, WITH EXTRAORDINARY COLORS, EXCEPTIONAL VISUAL IMPACT, AND ITS CANTON RESTING ON THE WAR STRIPE; AN UNOFFICIAL STAR COUNT, REFLECT THE ANTICIPATED ARRIVAL OF COLORADO AND THE DAKOTA TERRITORY; LIKELY MADE FOR THE 1876 CENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE |
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| Web ID: | 39j-825 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | If framed unfurled - approx. 76" x 124" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 63.5" x 111" |
| Description: | |
| Rare, homemade, antique American flag with 39 stars and an array of extraordinary features. Chief among these is an enormous, central star, embedded into what are effectively lineal columns of smaller ones. While large stars are often included in medallion star configurations, popular during the mid-19th century, comprised of a big star surrounded by multiple wreaths, it is very rare for a lineal pattern of any sort to contain such an element, and this isn’t a common star, but rather one that consists of a blue core, with a bold halo about its perimeter. Haloed center stars are seen on occasion in printed parade flags, where the feature is as graphically desirable as it is unusual. Almost no flags with sewn construction, however, meaning those with individually pieced and sewn stripes and individually appliqued stars, share this dynamic feature. The effect is especially bold here, by way of the star’s huge size, with respect to those around it, as well as its slightly skewed orientation, and the uneven width of the white profile. Note also the how the striking, royal blue color of the canton contrasts beautifully with the deep, saturated, scarlet red of the stripes. The narrow width of the latter, when compared to their white counterparts, contributes yet another visually arresting element to the overall design, compounding the degree to which all of the above make for such a wonderful example of American folk art in 19th century flag-making. Another contributing element lies in the fact that the canton rests on a red stripe. When this scarce condition occurs, some flag historians refer to it as resting on the “blood stripe” or the “war stripe”, suggesting that the flag was constructed in this fashion when the nation was at war. Because there was no official specification for the placement of the canton against the striped field of the American flag until 1912 (along with no official proportions, shades of red and blue, star configuration, shape of the stars, etc.), there was simply no official standard. Though the Navy was known to have employed the war stripe element in at least some of the flags it produced at the Norfolk Navy Yard during the mid-19th century—intentional or not—in the overwhelming majority of others that one may encounter, both in illustrations and in actual, surviving flags, the canton rests on white. Whatever the case may be with regard to the purpose of such an element, factual or myth, the war stripe feature is coveted by collectors and often provides a distinctively different graphic element. The count of 39 was an anticipatory one, employed with hope and/or speculation that additional Western territories would soon gain statehood. Though various flags, in other star counts, were made with the same intent, most keenly during the latter half of the 19th century, those with 39 stars were produced at two times in American history. The first of these occurred in or around 1876, in preparation for America's 100-year anniversary of independence. At this time there were officially 37 stars, and 37 states, though some makers felt that two new ones were soon-to-be-added. The other occurred 13 years later, in 1889, when we officially had 38 stars, though some flag-makers felt that yet another was coming. Neither of these events occurred as the makers of 39 flags intended. In 1876, only one state entered, Colorado, on August 1st of that year, taking the count to 38, which—by way of the 3rd Flag Act (passed 1818)—became official on July 4th, 1777. In 1889, the Dakota Territory, long speculated to enter as one state, entered as two separate states on November 2nd, increasing the count from 38 to 40. As a result, the 39 star count was never accurate for so much a day. In spite of above, small flags with 39 stars, printed on cotton or silk, made to be hand-waved at parades and political events, were produced in great quantity. 39 star flags with sewn construction, however, remain rare. Though some commercially-made examples of 39 star sewn flags are known, most of the 15 or so examples that have surfaced are homemade. Even fewer among these are those with dynamic star patterns and/or that generate significant visual interest. Within that group, the flag that is the subject of this narrative is certainly a winning contender, if not decidedly the best among them. Theoretically, this flag may have been produced in either of the two periods in which the 39 star count was pursued. While the manner of construction and fabrics can be seen in either period, and the lineal-stitch, treadle-sewn stars are more suggestive of 1889, a lengthy examination of the body of surviving material across flag in the 37-45 star counts, swings the pendulum strongly toward 1876 manufacture, when extraordinary designs such as this one, many of them unique, appeared in patriotic response to the auspicious national event. Treadle-sewn stars can be encountered as early as the Civil War (1861-65) and become more prevalent in the 38 star era. Flags with dynamic star patterns, especially popular during and prior to the centennial, become very scarce to extremely rare afterwards. While there was no official star pattern until 1912, and the design was left to the liberties of the maker beforehand, creativity and a fondness for artistic measure, as it pertained to the American flag, waned significantly many years prior. Construction: The stripes and stars of the flag are made of cotton that has been pieced and hemmed by treadle stitching. The stars are made of cotton and are double-appliquéd (applied to both sides), also with treadle stitching. There is a twill cotton binding along the hoist, treadle-sewn, in the form of an open sleeve, through with a length of braided cotton rope was passed. The top and bottom of the sleeve were bound by hand-stitching. Mounting: The flag has not yet been mounted. For nearly 20 years we have operated a textile conservation business where expert staff conserve, restore, mount and frame early flags and other related material. Having mounted and framed literally thousands of flags-- more than anyone worldwide--we can attend to all of your needs in this regard. Feel free to inquire. Condition: There is minor foxing and staining throughout, accompanied by an L-shaped tear with associated fabric loss in the upper, fly end corner of the top red stripe. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings |
| Flag Type: | Sewn flag |
| Star Count: | 39 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1876 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1876 |
| State/Affiliation: | South Dakota |
| War Association: | 1866-1890 Indian Wars |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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