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  HOMEMADE TEXTILE WITH EMBROIDERY FEATURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PRE-1954
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HOMEMADE TEXTILE WITH EMBROIDERY FEATURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PRE-1954:

Homemade textile featuring a pieced and sewn an American flag, an embroidered eagle, and embroidered text with the Pledge of Allegiance. This is an early version, dating prior to June 14th, 1954 (Flag Day), when the words "Under God" were added by Eisenhower in the shadow of the perceived threat of communism.

I have not before encountered a handmade textile with this verbiage, which is one reason why I chose to acquire it. The graphics are pleasing. It was probably made at the end of WWI (U.S. involvement 1941-45), with the swell of associated patriotism. It was in 1945 that the Pledge of Allegiance was officially adopted by congress and officially received its title, which is included here.

Embroidered signatures along the bottom probably belong to the two persons who made it, "Joan McGinley" and "Anna Hliney [sic]," likely sisters or a mother and daughter. The second name may have been intended to read McGinley also, with the M, C, and G combined and an error in the letters that follow.

Note that the flag has only 12 stripes. This was probably a child's error. Also of interest is the fact that the canton of the flag rests on a red stripe instead of white. Among flag enthusiasts this has been termed the "blood stripe" or the "war stripe" and it has been suggested that this feature was added during wartime. From experience we know that it was sometimes also done in error, but whatever the case may be it is not the norm and is of interest to flag collectors. It was probably a mistake here, given that the number of stars that were once present--but have since fallen off--did not number 48. Like the 5 stars that appear across the patriotic shield upon the eagle's breast, they were probably made of silver foil.

The eagle grips the usual olive branch and arrows, with its head toward the olive branch. Behind and below it is a billowing streamer containing the words "equality," "liberty," and "justice."

Construction: Made of Rayon and/or silk with silk or polished cotton floss, pieced by machine and hand-embroidered.

Mounting: The flag has not yet been mounted. We employ professional staff with masters degrees in textile conservation and can attend to all of your mounting and framing needs.

Condition: Foil stars once on flag are absent. Minor foxing and staining.
   
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Earliest Date: No
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For Sale Status: Sold
Price SOLD
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