| ANTIQUE AMERICAN PRIVATE YACHT FLAG / ENSIGN, WITH 13 STARS & A CANTED ANCHOR, MADE BY WM. H. HORSTMANN CO., PHILADELPHIA, circa 1893 – 1920’s |
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| Web ID: | 13j-1310 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 59" x 42.5" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 47.75" x 31.5" |
| Description: | |
| The medallion configuration, 13-star, 13-stripe flag, with a canted center anchor was adopted in 1848, following an act of Congress that made it the official signal for U.S. pleasure sailing vessels. The need for such a signal arose with the popularity of boating as a pastime for well-to-do Americans, and as a competitive sport, in addition to its longstanding utilitarian role as a vehicle of trade. In early America, all boats were subject to customs searches at every port. Without modern income tax, the federal government derived its revenues mostly from tariffs, so an accounting of foreign goods on ships was a critical venture. As yachting for pleasure became more prevalent, however, more and more time was spent searching boats that had no such inventory, wasting time for both customs officials and wealthy ship owners. John Cox Stevens (1775 - 1857), one of the most important members of New York society, was responsible for bringing the private yacht flag to fruition. Stevens was the paternal grandson of John Stevens Jr., New Jersey delegate to the Second Continental Congress, and son of Revolutionary War officer, Colonel John Stevens, who pioneered the development of steamboats and purchased what would eventually become the City of Hoboken. Among other ventures, John Cox Stevens served as president of the Jockey Club (United Kingdom), was a founding member and 2nd president of New York's Union Club (est. 1836), and founding Commandant of the New York Yacht Club (elected 1844/est. 1845). He was part of the syndicate that own the yacht "America," which, in 1851, won the trophy that would eventually be named in its honor, the America's Cup. In 1847, Stevens approached the secretary of the treasury and suggested that something be done to streamline the customs process for non-trade vessels. In 1848, legislation passed Congress requiring registration of these boats, which could then fly the “American Yachting Signal” to bypass customs. This remained on the books until the 1980’s. Though the 1848 legislation was revoked, use of flags in this design, flown for decorative function, continues to this day. This particular example was made by Horstmann in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of our nation’s earliest flag-makers and a major Civil War military outfitter. The stars and anchor are made of cotton and are double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) with a zigzag, machine stitch. The canton and the stripes of the flag are made of wool bunting that has been pieced and joined by machine stitching. There is a twill-woven cotton binding along the hoist, applied with machine stitching, with two brass grommets. A black stencil along the binding, on the reverse, near the bottom, reads: “Wm. H. Horstmann Company. Phila.” William H. Horstmann (1785-1850) was the founder of what would become a major military outfitter in both Philadelphia and New York City. A solider and fourth generation passementier (textile weaver), Horstmann emigrated to the United States from Cassel, Germany in 1816, settling in the Germantown area of Philadelphia, where there was a significant concentration of textile manufacturing. There he married the daughter of the most successful lace manufacturing firm, then began his own business in coach lace and military goods at the corner of 59 North 3rd Street. Horstmann imported looms from Germany and elsewhere, maintaining regular trade with his family in Europe. The company grew exponentially in size and had many addresses over its years of operation. In 1828, the William H. Horstmann Military Store opened. In 1843 it became William H. Horstmann & Sons Military Store, and in 1859 it was taken over by sons, Sigmund H. and William J., who operated the business as Horstmann Bros. & Co. in both New York and Philadelphia.. From 1845-1849 it operated in NYC as Horstmann Sons & Drucker, then Horstmann Sons & Allien. The firm manufactured its own goods, including flags, swords, drums, insignia, and many other items, and subcontracted for the manufacture of these objects as well, depending on financial sensibility. There were other investors and partners along the way, such as William S. Hassall and George Evans, who broke off and began their own large and successful firm. The New York branch changed its name in 1877 to that of a Horstmann partner, H.V. Allien. The Philadelphia location changed its name to Wm. H. Horstmann Co. in 1893, operating as such until 1940. Both the Philadelphia and New York branches filed for bankruptcy and closed in 1948. Because of its Philadelphia location, Horstmann was in a unique position to supply flags and banners to the 1876 Centennial International Exposition, our nation’s first World’s Fair and the nucleus of the celebration of our 100-year anniversary of independence. The firm thus served an integral role in decorating the enormous, six-month long event. Although I have encountered a couple of examples, the Horstmann name is extremely unusual to encounter on surviving flags made for maritime use on yachts, such as this one, which bears the “Wm. H. Horstmann” stamp and thus dates to sometime in or after 1893. I expect that this particular flag was made sometime between that year and 1910. 13 star flags have been flown throughout our nation’s history for a variety of purposes. In addition to their use on private yachts, they were hoisted at patriotic events, including Lafayette’s final visit in 1824-25, 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 while 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. Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own textile conservation department, which is led by expert trained staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples. The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% silk organza on every seam and throughout the star field for support. The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been washed and treated for color fastness. The mount was placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed, Italian molding. The glazing is U.V. Protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Condition: Full Report to Follow. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts |
| Flag Type: | Sewn flag |
| Star Count: | 13 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1893 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1920's |
| State/Affiliation: | Pennsylvania |
| War Association: | |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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