| EXTRAORDINARILY RARE, 1876 EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST NATIONAL FLAG OF AMERICA, THE “GRAND UNION” OR “CONTINENTAL COLORS,” MADE TO CELEBRATE THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, ALMOST CERTAINLY FOR DISPLAY AT THE CENTENNIAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION IN PHILADELPHIA |
|
| Web ID: | ofj-1005 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | Approx. 52" x 84.5" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 41" x 73.5" |
| 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, white, or blue, adorned with the arms of the respective dominion or territory, in this case there were 13 stripes, alternate 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, as viewed 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 flag of similar design, which was actually that of the East India Company and not the Continental Colors. The East India Company was a large, aggressive, and politically powerful import and export firm, that, among other things, pretty much controlled the fur trade in the Americas in the 18th century. The fact that its own merchant flag was basically the same design as the Grand Union, can easily lead to confusion in the identification of early American flags in use at the same general time frame. 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. In spite of 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 a new flag was adopted and the war gained momentum. Ties to England were eventually severed, while 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 copies of the Grand Union are extremely scarce. Beyond this example, I presently know of approximately thirteen to survive in private hands. Of these, two are small, printed cotton flags, made in 1876. Three are made of press-dyed wool and date to the same time frame. The remaining eight are of pieced-and-sewn construction. All date to the late 19th century save perhaps one, that may pre-date-1876. 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. Massive in scope and lasting for six months, the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition was our nation's first World's Fair. Held in Philadelphia’s 285-acre Fairmount Park—the land acquired by the city expressly for this purpose—the event was held in honor of America’s 100th anniversary of independence. More than 225 temporary structures were erected on the 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, banners, and patriotic décor. This particular flag would have almost certainly been displayed there. The canton and stripes are made of wool bunting. The red cross of St. George, and its white fimbriation, have been pieced and joined with hand-stitching. The red cross of St. Patrick was pieced and joined into the white cross of St. Andrew by treadle stitching. Together the resulting saltire was joined with the Latin cross and into the surrounding blue field by hand-stitching. The canton was joined to the striped field with treadle stitching. The top edge and the hoist were hemmed in the same fashion. There is a plain weave cotton binding along the hoist, in the form of an open sleeve. This was hemmed by hand at the top and bottom, then bound to the body of the flag by hand-stitching. Mounting: For 25 years we have maintained our own textile conservation department, led by a master’s degree level graduate from one of the nation’s top programs. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples. The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been 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 in limited areas throughout, plus an area of modest loss along the top edge of the first red stripe, near the canton, plus modest to moderate instances in the white stripes, the most significant of which occur in the 2nd and 3rd of these. There are modest darning repairs in the 5th and 6th stripes. We placed period wool bunting of the same coloration behind these areas during the mounting process. 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. 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. |
|
| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings |
| Flag Type: | Sewn flag |
| Star Count: | |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1876 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1876 |
| State/Affiliation: | Pennsylvania |
| War Association: | 1777-1860 Pre-Civil War |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
 |
|
