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  HOMEMADE FLAG WITH 13 STARS ARRANGED IN THE CIRCULAR WREATH PATTERN OFTEN ATTRIBUTED TO BETSY ROSS, WITH ENDEARING WEAR, AND WITH ITS CANTON RESTING ON THE WAR STRIPE, CA 1890-1920's

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L):
Flag Size (H x L): 24.75" x 42.5"
Description....:
HOMEMADE FLAG WITH 13 STARS ARRANGED IN THE CIRCULAR WREATH PATTERN OFTEN ATTRIBUTED TO BETSY ROSS, WITH ENDEARING WEAR, AND WITH ITS CANTON RESTING ON THE WAR STRIPE, CA 1890-1920's: 13 star American national flag, made sometime between the 1890's and the 1920's, with its stars arranged in the circular wreath pattern that is often attributed to Betsy Ross. Homemade and entirely hand-sewn, that flag has both endearing and desirable features. Note how the stars vary in shape from one to the next, with some arms being longer and some shorter, some with straight lines and some arched, so that they take on the sort of crude folk qualities that are desired by collectors. Note also how the canton rests the canton rests on a red stripe. Some flag historians refer to this as the “blood stripe” or the “war stripe”, suggesting the flag was sometimes constructed in this manner when the nation was at war. There is evidence that the Navy used this design feature on at least some of its flags made during the mid-19th century, however, and sometimes the placement was surely by accident. Curiously, when it does occur in wartime flags, it most often is present among those made during the Civil War (1861-65) and in the era surrounding WWI (U.S. involvement 1917-18). Whatever the case may be, this is a scarce feature that is extremely desirable. Conservatively this flag was made sometime between the late 1890's and the sesquicentennial of American independence in 1926. Probably it was made toward the earlier end of that spectrum, between the late 1890's and 1910, though the patriotism of WWI is a possible motive of manufacture. The flag is one-sided, which is typical of homemade flags in the Betsy Ross design that appear from this period. In this instance, the blue canton, now a shade of faded to indigo, was applied to a rectangular field made entirely of the red and white stripes, so that there are stripes on the reverse throughout. This is not unusual. The purpose of "Betsy Ross pattern" flags with this manner of construction was probably for a parade, a theatrical production, or for school child use in some fashion. Homemade flags were typically constructed of cotton because it was less expensive than some other fabrics and readily available. The stars of this example are made of cotton, hand-sewn, and appliquéd in a traditional fashion with their edges turned under and employing rather fine stitchery. The stripes, also cotton, were pieced and joined by hand-stitching with crudely exposed seams on the reverse. It is distinctly possible that the flag was made by a child, or by a child and her mother. Families were large and it seems to have been common for multiple members to partake in the construction of a homemade flag, as evidenced by different skill levels often present within one example. Because America had become much more highly industrialized by the 1890's, most flags made in and after this decade were produced in commercial settings. Because very few flags of this period were homemade, those that are have great appreciation among flag enthusiasts and collectors. Because the sewing machine was mass-marketed by Singer 35-55 years previous, even fewer were entirely hand-sewn. The tiny size of the flag among pieced-and-sewn examples is an important quality. Most collectors prefer those that can be easily framed and displayed. At the same time, many enjoy flags that are ample enough in scale to make a significant statement. This flag is rather ideal in both regards, which adds to its desirability. The red stripes have faded to an attractive shade of salmon that contrasts nicely with the canton. In early flags, it can often be the case that some condition issues actually add to their presentation. Natural occurring fading, oxidation and staining, even when significant, can add the sort of endearing qualities that can have simultaneously artistic merit, albeit unintentional. These traits can lend considerably to a flag's visual qualities and thus its value to a collector. Some Notes on the Betsy Ross Pattern: While we are taught in grammar school that this was what our first flag looked like, there is no hard evidence to prove the claim and the hypothesis of Betsy Ross having designed the first flag is widely accepted as myth among historians. Of the very few Colonial examples that exist, none have survived with this star configuration. Further, while thousands of 13 star flags were made during the during the 19th century, for all manner of patriotic and utilitarian purpose, almost none have survived with this pattern that date prior to the late 1890's. Research conducted by the National Museum of American History notes that the story of Betsy Ross making the very first American flag for General George Washington entered into American consciousness about the time of the 1876 centennial of American independence and the planning of its celebrations. The tale was immensely popular among an American public eager for stories about the revolution and its heroes. The first written documentation of Betsy Ross's involvement with the first flag appeared in a paper written for the Pennsylvania Historical Society by her grandson, William Canby, in 1870. At this time Canby made no mention of how the flag was designed, save for the fact that it had 5-pointed stars per his grandmother's suggestion. Though on rare occasion circles of 13 stars appear in early American imagery, the pattern is basically not encountered on actual flags until the period between approximately 1898 to 1913, when Betsy Ross' granddaughter (Rachel Albright) and great-granddaughter (Sarah M. Wilson) operated a cottage industry in the East Wing of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, making hand-sewn flags for tourists. Rachael and Sarah proudly proclaimed that their flags, which had a circle of 13 stars, replicated the original, which they likewise reported was designed and made by their mother. Sadly, neither Canby's nor Albright and Wilson's claims are supported by facts. Nothing, for example, appears in the records of the Continental Congress, or in the writings and journals of George Washington. Because the first American national flag does not survive and no period accounts of it exist, no one actually knows what its star configuration looked like, but it is widely thought that it did not have a circle of 13 stars. In fact, the Betsy Ross pattern didn't become common until the mid-20th century. By the 1976 Bicentennial it was produced in great quantity and today remains the most recognizable style. The longstanding popularity of the myth solidified into legend and flags in the Betsy Ross pattern are always popular. 13 star flags have been continuously produced throughout our nation's history for purposes both patriotic and utilitarian. This was the original number of stars on the American flag, representing the original 13 colonies, so it was appropriate for any flag made in conjunction with celebrations of American independence. 13 star flags were hoisted at patriotic events, including Lafayette’s visit in 1825-26, 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. 13 star flags were flown by American ships both private and federal. The U.S. Navy used 13 stars on the ensigns made for small boats, because they wished the stars to be easily discerned at a distance. As the number of stars grew with the addition of new states, it became more and more difficult to fit stars on a small flag so that they may be viewed from afar as individual objects. Because any star count that has previously been official remains so today according to the Congressional flag acts, all 13 star flags in an otherwise appropriate design remain official flags of the United States. Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. Condition: There is significant fading of both the blue canton and the red stripes. There is minor to moderate water staining throughout and there are splatters of staining adjacent to the canton toward the fly end, in the 7th through the 10th stripes and in the 1st through the 4th stripes, in the upper fly end quadrant, adjacent to the fly. There are spots of dark staining in the 7th stripe, next to the canton, and the last stripe near the fly end. There is some bleeding of the blue dye from the canton into the 1st 2nd, and 4th stripes, adjacent to it and the 9th, 12th, and 13th stripes, below it. There is a tack hole with associated rust staining in the extreme upper corner of the hoist end. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1890
Latest Date of Origin: 1926
State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies
War Association: WW 1
Price: SOLD
 

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