| 1860 ABRAHAM LINCOLN CAMPAIGN PARADE FLAG WITH 33 STARS IN A PENTAGON MEDALLION AND AN INTRIGUING ABBREVIATION OF HIS NAME, ATTRIBUTED TO H.C. HOWARD OF PHILADELPHIA |
|
| Web ID: | 33j-853 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 23" x 29" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 11.5" x 17" |
| Description: | |
| 33 star American parade flag with the 1860 Republican ticket printed in blue along the stripes: “For President, Abram Lincoln. For Vice President, Hannibal Hamlin.” There has been much speculation on the variation of Lincoln’s first name on campaign objects. Roger Fischer, scholar of campaign material culture, suggests that objects made for “Abram” Lincoln were manufactured early in 1860, before many easterners discovered the relatively unknown Republican candidate’s true name. It has also been suggested that Abram was a nickname, given to him by close friends, but Daniel Weinberg, longtime Lincoln scholar and owner of the Abraham Lincoln Bookstore, relates that this isn't true, and friends simply called him "Lincoln". Perhaps the makers simply shortened the name to save space. In any event, the use of "Abram" is an interesting peculiarity. The stars of the flag are arranged in a very interesting medallion pattern that is loosely based on a pentagon with various stars outside it. The design is related to a handful of others that I have termed "pentagon" or "heart" medallions. The basic profile of these star patterns consists of a pentagon-shaped outline. In some cases the pentagon is more distinct than in others. In this flag it is a bit less obvious. Some of the variants contain a "Great Star" pattern, a large star made out of smaller stars, hidden in the middle, like this example, where it can be seen in the 10 stars that surround the large center star. In some cases the pentagon begins at the top but the overall pattern morphs into a shield. One might suggest that the stars of this flag form a shield, though the shape isn't as distinct as it is on other flags. Whatever the case may be regarding the symbolism in the canton, the star design is both beautiful and intriguing. Prolific flag-maker H.C. Howard of Philadelphia is known to have produced designs that used both the shortened version of Lincoln's name and unusual star patterns with pentagon arrangements. This particular parade flag was at one time sewn into a quilt that consisted of many rare political flags. Many years ago these were deconstructed and the flags were individually sold because of their significant value. Evidence of the original stitching that joined the flag within the quilt is present along the top and bottom edges. Oregon joined the Union as the 33rd state on February 14th, Valentine’s Day, 1859. Per the Third Flag Act (1818), stars were officially added to the flag from whatever states had come in during the previous “flag year.” For this reason, the 33 star flag became official on July 4th of that year and remained until July 3rd, 1861. This was the official count when Fort Sumter was fired upon on April 12th, 1861. This event marked the opening of the Civil War and a 33 star flag was flying at Ft. Sumter during the attack. Because Kansas had joined the Union as the 34th state on January 29th, 1861, flag makers knew that the addition of the 34th star was inevitable. Neither the makers of flags at home or commercially seem to have cared what was official, preferring what was practical. For this reason, 33 star flags were not produced in great quantity for the war, which would last until 1865, and the 33 can be considered to be more of a pre-Civil war flag than a war-period one, which explains why 33 star examples are far and away more rare than their 34 and 35 star counterparts. Across antique American flags that date to the 19th century and prior, very few exist that pre-date the Civil War (1861-65). I often cite the percentage at around 1 – 1.5 percent. Prior to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, the Stars & Stripes was simply not used for most of the same purposes that we employ it in today. Private individuals did not typically display the flag in their yards and on their porches. Parade flags didn't often fly from carriages or the hands of parade-goers. Places of business rarely hung them in their windows. Private use of the national flag rose swiftly during the patriotism that accompanied the Civil War, then exploded in 1876. Even the military did not use the flag in a manner that most people might think. The primary purpose before the Civil War was to mark ships on the open seas. While flags were used to mark garrisons and government buildings, those of ground troops were often limited to the flag of their own regiment, with a design peculiar unto itself, plus flank markers bearing the unit’s numeric / alphabetic designations (usually on a buff yellow or blue ground), and perhaps a federal standard (also blue or buff yellow) bearing the arms of the United States. Most people are surprised to learn that ground forces were not authorized to carry the Stars & Stripes until it was assigned to artillery regiments in 1834. Infantry was afforded the privilege in 1841, just prior to the Mexican War (1846-1848), while cavalry regiments were not issued their iconic, swallowtail, Stars & Stripes format guidons until the second year of the Civil War, in 1862, and even then were not formally authorized to carry the national flag until long afterward, in the 1890’s. It is of interest to note that Lincoln was hardly the favorite at the beginning of the campaign, winning the Republican nomination from the 3rd ticket. He then defeated John Bell (Constitution Party), John Breckinridge (Southern Democrat), and Stephen Douglas (Northern Democrat), to become the Republican party’s first president. Lincoln was elected with a mere thirty-nine percent of the vote and carried no state south of the Mason-Dixon line. Hannibal Hamlin, our nation’s first Republican vice president, was born in Maine in 1809. He was an attorney who, in his political career prior to the White House, served as Chairman of the Maine State House of Representatives, as a U.S. Congressman and Senator, and as Governor of the State of Maine. He was a Democrat until 1856, but was an opponent to slavery. He did not run with Lincoln in the second campaign in 1864, but did return to the U.S. Senate from 1869-1881 and served as Minister to Spain from 1881-82. Mounting: The exceptional, gilded American molding dates to the period between 1820 and 1850. To this a modern molding was added as a cap, with a rippled profile and a black surface with gold highlights. The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton twill, black in color. The black fabric was 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. Spacers keep the glazing away from the textile, which is U.V. protective glass. Condition: There is minor fading of the red-orange stripes, but the overall condition is excellent. |
|
| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings |
| Flag Type: | Parade flag |
| Star Count: | 33 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1860 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1860 |
| 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 |
 |
|
