| ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG / BANNER WITH A STANDING PORTRAIT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON & HIS HORSE, “BLUESKIN” SET WITHIN AN OVAL WINDOW, ON A GROUND OF RED & WHITE STRIPES, MADE FOR THE 1876 CENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE |
|
| Web ID: | pat-839 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | Approx. 35.5" x 28" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 24.5" x 17.5" |
| Description: | |
| Patriotic American parade flag / banner, printed on plain weave cotton, made to celebrate the 100th anniversary of American independence in 1876. In spite of its vertical orientation, this striking example was intended to be tacked to a wooden staff, along what would appear to be its top edge, to be waved as if it were a traditional, horizonal, Stars & Stripes format parade flag. With strong colors and endearing folk quality, the image of Washington is a take on the view painted by the artist John Trumbull, that depicted his likeness before the battle of Trenton. The engraver of this rendering (unknown) illustrates commanding general with a letter of correspondence in his hand that reads: Washington Victory is Ours Paul Jones The inclusion of Washington’s horse is of notable interest. This is “Blueskin,” one of two that most often accompanied him throughout the war, the other being “Nelson”. Above the general hangs the cracked Liberty Bell. All of this is framed within an oval window, framed by 39 white stars on a blue band, inside a red & blue sawtooth border. Above and below the center medallion are federal shields with 13 stars, on the waists of which are the words: “Shield of U.S. America”. Though there were 37 states coming into the year 1876, and an official count of 37 stars, and though Colorado joined the Union as the 38th state on August 1st of that year, some flag-makers thought that the Dakota Territory was likewise soon-to-be added (as a single state), adding a 39th star, in advance of its arrival, in hopeful anticipation. While the Dakotas would not join for another 13 years, numerous flags and patriotic objects were produced for our nation’s important birthday, with various representations of 39 stars. The banner is certainly one of the most beautiful and graphic of all printed centennial textiles of this nature. Sometimes examples of it can be encountered in centennial quilts, pieced alongside other banners, kerchiefs, parade flags, and/or other centennial fabrics. Because it appears in quilts accompanied by textiles known to have been made and used at the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, specifically—our nation’s first World’s Fair, that served as the nucleus of the national celebration—this type of flag was undoubtedly displayed and distributed at that event. Though the name of the maker remains unknown, the same design was employed as a template for flags used in the 1880 presidential election, created for both the successful campaign of Republican Candidate James Garfield, and that of his Democrat opponent, Winfield Scott Hancock. In each case, bust portraits of the men were substituted for the image of Washington and his horse. An example of the Washington parade flag / banner resides in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s Division of Political History, documented as item 376 in “Threads of History, Americana Recorded on Cloth, 1775 - the Present” by Herbert Ridgeway Collins (1979, Smithsonian Press), p. 188. Collins formerly served as the Smithsonian’s curator of Political History. His book is considered the Bible of political flags, kerchiefs, and related textiles. 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 exceptional, gilded molding has an early American profile. To this a black-painted, shadowbox molding, with a bowed profile and a textured surface, was added as a cap. The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color, which has been washed and treated for colorfastness. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Condition: Absolutely exceptional among known examples. There are tack holes along the hoist (top) edge, where the flag was once affixed to its original wooden staff, and there is extremely minor foxing and staining, almost not worth mention. |
|
| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything |
| Flag Type: | Parade flag |
| Star Count: | 39 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1876 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1876 |
| State/Affiliation: | Pennsylvania |
| War Association: | |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
 |
|
