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  EXTRAORDINARILY RARE, 1876 EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST NATIONAL FLAG OF AMERICA, THE “GRAND UNION”, MADE BY HORSTMANN BROS. & CO. OF PHILADELPHIA FOR THE CENTENNIAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 46" x 74.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 34.75" x 63"
Description....:
The “Grand Union” is the most commonly used name for the first American national flag. This was the design that was in use at the opening of the Revolutionary War, between 1775 and 1777, under the Second Continental Congress, when America was still a colony of Britain. Like the flags that represented other outposts of the British Empire, this design employs the British Union Flag (a.k.a., Union Jack) in the canton. The field, however, was distinctly different. While other examples featured a solid ground of either red, blue, or white, decorated with a seal, or some other device, that identified the respective dominion or territory, in the case of the Grand Union, the field contained 13 stripes, alternating red and white, to signify the 13 colonies.

The Grand Union went by several names. 19th century flag historians seem to have preferred the term “Continental Grand Union”, but this language is not found in 18th century documents or literature. In the period, it was simply referred to as the “Continental” or “Union” flag. Some historians have cited that the first record of its use as a national ensign, appears to have been recorded in an illustration of Philadelphia from the Delaware River, by artist George Heap, published by British engraver Gerald van der Gucht in 1754. Vexillologist Peter Ansoff successfully proved that van der Gucht contrived the image of the ships, however, by copying them from an older engraving of his that illustrated ships in Bombay India. One of these vessels flew a flag of similar design (that of the East India Company).

The first documented appearance of the Grand Union flag occurred after it was apparently raised by First Lieutenant John Paul Jones over the Continental Navy's first flagship, “Alfred.” This took place in Philadelphia on December 3rd, 1775 and was recorded in letters to Congress. Since it was critical to properly identify ships on the open seas, the initial appearance of the flag on a naval vessel is not unexpected. The need for a distinctly American signal to mark naval vessels was the precise reason why Congress would soon elect to adopt the Stars & Stripes, via the Flag Act of June 14th, 1777.

Unlike the Navy, American ground forces were not authorized to carry the national flag until well into the 19th century (artillery in 1834, infantry in 1841, and cavalry not until the second year of the Civil war, in 1862). Based on various illustrations, Washington himself may have done so, at least after such a design was selected. Whether or not his regiments displayed it, it would nonetheless have been fitting for the command. In his book "Standards and Colors of the American Revolution" (1982, University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia), author Edward Richardson states the following:

"When the fighting began in 1775, and militia units from the various colonies joined together in besieging the British garrison at Boston, Continental Congress voted to take all such troops into the services of the United Provinces of North America and appointed Washington as their Commander in Chief. There was no United Colonies flag at the time."

Washington stated in a letter that he raised the “Union flag” for the first time on January 1st, 1776, to honor the newly formed Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts. While some flag historians have argued that this would have instead referred to a British Red Ensign, Richardson states: "The Continental Union [flag] was a natural selection for the Americans in 1775. It did not signify rebellion but rather continued loyalty to the mother country." He continues to say, "It was only after the Declaration of Independence and the bitter fighting of 1776, that the British Grand Union in the canton lost favor." That said, an image of the flag appears on a scrimshaw powder horn dated December 25, 1777, illustrating Fort Schuyler, New York. So assuming that the image is accurate, the Grand Union was still in use six months after it was officially replaced by the Stars & Stripes.

Despite the importance of the Grand Union as the first American flag, few people now recognize the design. It seems clear that it was soon forgotten after the Stars & Stripes emerged and the war gained momentum. Ties to England were eventually severed and reminders of British rule were either swept under the carpet or aggressively defaced. In any event, the Grand Union never became popular to reproduce. 19th century reproductions of it are extremely scarce. I presently know of approximately fifteen or so copies to survive. Of these, two are small, printed cotton flags, made in 1876. Two or three are of press-dyed wool, and the remainder are of pieced-and-sewn construction. Most date to the last quarter of the 19th century, though one among them could be earlier.

The flag that is the subject of this narrative is press-dyed on wool bunting. There is a twill cotton binding along the hoist, applied with treadle stitching, in the form of an open sleeve. The flag is marked "Union 1776” near the top of the sleeve, on the obverse, with a black-inked stencil, followed by the intended size of "3 X 5 Ft." Although the name of the maker is not present, the distinctive style of the marks are readily identifiable to me as those of the Horstmann & Brothers Company, of Philadelphia, a major military goods manufacturer and dealer. The firm, which opened in 1816, is well known for the significant role it played in the outfitting of Civil War soldiers. Post-war, it was keenly positioned to supply flags to the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition. Massive in scope and lasting for six months, this was our nation's first World's Fair. Held in Fairmont Park, to honor of America’s 100th anniversary of independence, more than 225 temporary structures were erected on the 285 acre site, drawing 9 million visitors. The primary building was the largest in the world at the time, with a footprint of approximately 21.5 acres on the interior. Much of the structure, both inside and out, as well as the surrounding grounds, were elaborately decorated with flags and patriotic hangings.

While the design of the Grand Union may have been less than popular, World's Fairs celebrated both national history and modern accomplishments, with an eye to positive international cooperation and mutual respect. This would probably explain why a small handful of 1876-era copies have emerged.

In or around 2013, I viewed press-dyed example of the Grand Union, made by Horstmann & Co in Philadelphia, in the same scale, signed and marked 3 x 5 feet. The owner either walked it physically into my booth at the Philadelphia Antique Show, or showed me images of it (I can’t now recall which). In either case, he was unwilling to sell it or send images for my continued review. Without images to reference, I am uncertain as to whether or not the flag I saw then, and the one I am offering now, that is the subject of this narrative, are one-in-the-same. I have reason to suspect that they might be.

The second example of the Grand Union that I had ever encountered, that I was confident pre-dated 1900, bore the same construction. A 2 x 3 foot, Horstmann-made example, it turned up in the greater Philadelphia area, rolled up with a group of American and international flags of the same scale, that were certainly displayed at the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition. Among these were two Horstmann-made, press-dyed, 38 star flags of the same size, one with rows of stars and one with a circle-in-a-square design. This Grand Union was subsequently owned by collector J. Richard Pierce, and is documented on page 27 of his book, "The Stars & The Stripes: Fabric of the American Spirit" (J. Richard Pierce, LLC, 2005). I eventually re-acquired the flag, now in another private collection.

Note the extraordinary color of the blue dye, and how it contrasts with the scarlet red of the stripes. One of just three or four press-dyed, Horstmann examples, the flag that is the subject of this narrative is a remarkable survivor, with extraordinary color and texture, and a must-addition to any collection of early American examples.

Brief History of Press-Dyed Flags
Press-dyed wool flags are much more scarce than those printed on cotton and silk. First patented in 1849, the press-dying process was initially thought to be a novel idea that would improve flag-making efficiency. The reality, however, was that it was often less effective and efficient than sewing. To achieve white stars, for example, pieces of waxed fabric or paper in the shape of stars had to be cut out and carefully placed on both sides of the white wool bunting, or the fabric needed to be carefully brushed with an agent that resisted the dye. The bunting was then dyed blue, and when done properly, the appropriate areas would not absorb the dye and thus be left white. The same process was repeated to make the red stripes. Also called resist-dyeing, one can imagine why this task may have been anything but simple with 19th century technology.

In regard to wool flags, the process was primarily used during the Centennial-era by the U.S. Bunting Company of Lowell, Massachusetts, which began making press-dyed flags for the U.S. military in 1869. The U.S. Bunting Co. was one of the first flag-makers to successfully produce high quality wool bunting in the States, and while its owners worked diligently to master the press-dyeing process, it seems quite obvious today that it was actually more costly than expected, because it never become a popular method of flag production. This inexact art of reverse-dyeing would often add crude characteristics, such as stripes with irregular lines, in various widths, and stars with inconsistent shapes, in slightly varying sizes. It is likely that this resulted in lost product and wasted time from flags that had bleeding or misprint issues and were of too poor quality to sell. But within those flags that survived, today’s collectors today find the irregularities interesting, not only because they demonstrates early production methods, but also because they lends the sort of folk qualities that make early flags more interesting to look at.

Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples.

The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color, that washed and treated for colorfastness. The mount was placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas).

Condition: There is minor mothing throughout and there is a minor stain in the 3rd white stripe. There is some golden brown oxidation along the hoist binding, and minor staining, accompanied by a series of small, round, tack holes, with associated rust stains. along its entire length, where the flag was once affixed to a wooden staff. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use. The exceptional rarity of this example would well-warrants any condition.
Collector Level: Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings
Flag Type:
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 1876
Latest Date of Origin: 1876
State/Affiliation: Pennsylvania
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

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