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  A WHIMSICAL ARRANGEMENT OF 37 STARS, POINTING IN VARIOUS DIRECTIONS, ON A FLAG WITH SMALLER THAN USUAL DIMENSIONS FOR THE PERIOD, 1867-1876, NEBRASKA STATEHOOD

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 57" x 78"
Flag Size (H x L): 47" x 68"
Description....:
A WHIMSICAL ARRANGEMENT OF 37 STARS, POINTING IN VARIOUS DIRECTIONS, ON A FLAG WITH SMALLER THAN USUAL DIMENSIONS FOR THE PERIOD, 1867-1876, NEBRASKA STATEHOOD:

37 star American National flag with strong graphic features and in a relatively small size for the mid-19th century. Note how the maker of the flag began to lay out the stars in lineal rows or columns, but that the pattern digressed into a haphazard jumble in the lower, fly-end quadrant. By the third row the stars were already significantly out of line and their vertical position, as well as their proximity to one-another, varies throughout the canton. Note also how some of the arms of the stars are bent in a whimsical manner, so that they resemble starfish.

The canton and stripes of the flag are made of wool bunting and are hand-sewn. The stars are made of cotton and are double-appliqued (applied to both sides) with treadle stitching. This combination of hand and treadle stitching is usually reversed. Stars are seldom sewn by machine until the last decade of the 19th century, because of the skill necessary to applique stars while pumping the treadle and turning the fabric. To do this required a tremendous amount of coordination and was extraordinarily difficult before the aid of electricity. Stripes, on the other hand, were commonly pieced by treadle machine during the Civil War (1861-65); but here they are hand-sewn. There is a cotton binding along the hoist with 3 brass grommets, the topmost of which retains an early cotton rope tie. The binding was applied by hand and finished with treadle stitching.

The top and bottom of the flag have been bound with red wool tape. This appears to have been done at the same time that a piece of similarly colored wool was used to make a repair to the fly end of the 6th red stripe. The binding is unusual and provides a nice visual element to an already interesting flag.

The name "Wm. S. Baker." is written with a dip pen near the center of the hoist, accompanied by the date "1873". This represents the name of a former owner. At the top of the hoist, "4th. July. 1876." is written in the same type of ink, to indicate that the flag was flown on the 100th anniversary of our nation's independence.

The 37th state, Nebraska, joined the Union in 1867, shortly following Lincoln's death and the close of the Civil War. It was the primary flag flown during Reconstruction of the South and was used through approximately half the Indian Wars period, but the lack of major patriotic events during this era and the surplus of Civil War period flags led to much lower production. For this reason, 37 star flags are quite scarce compared with the Civil War period flags that preceded them and the flags made for the 1876 centennial.

Despite the fact that the 37 star flag remained official until 1877, flag-makers generally produced 38 star flags for the 100-year anniversary of our nation's independence, along with 13 star flags to commemorate the original colonies. By 1876 it was well known that at least one new state, Colorado, would soon join the Union. That circumstance caused flag-makers to cease production of flags with 37 stars in favor of 38. It had been nine years since a new star was added, so flag-makers were anxious to add a star and give the American people a reason to buy new flags. Some produced 39 star flags in anticipation that two new states would soon join the Union instead of just one. Both these and the 38 star flags made during that year were unofficial, of course, but there were no flag police, so speculation led the way to new flags with the hope to increase sales.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which has been washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye, which was heat-treated for the same purpose. The mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The front is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: There is minor mothing throught, accompanied by some staining along the hoist, where the hand-written name and dates have bled slightly. As previously noted, the top and bottom have been bound in a red wool tape and there is a replacement at the end of the 6th red stripe.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 37
Earliest Date of Origin: 1867
Latest Date of Origin: 1876
State/Affiliation: Nebraska
War Association: 1866-1890 Indian Wars
Price: SOLD
 

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