| RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL 1976 BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION FLAG WITH 56 STARS, DESIGNED BY HENRY FREDETTE OF LEOMINSTER, MASSACHUSETTS, COPYRIGHTED IN 1974 |
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| Web ID: | ofj-962 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | Approx. 45.5" x 71" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 33.5" x 59.25" |
| Description: | |
| This spectacular 1976 variation of the Stars & Stripes was designed by vexillologist Henry A. Fredette (Aug. 31st, 1920 – Feb. 17th, 2018) of Massachusetts, who copyrighted it in 1974. Much more reminiscent of 19th century flag design than late 20th century, this Bicentennial celebration flag features a wreath of 13 large stars for the 13 original colonies, encircling 56 small stars arranged in a unique double-Great Star (one star-shaped profile inside another—something I have not before encountered), with a star between each arm and one in the very center. The count above 50 reflects the hopeful addition of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and The District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) as states. An open wreath of 13 large stars surrounds the central design, in celebration of the original 13 colonies. Note the interesting uneven star placement, with the stars furthest to the left and right crowding the two above, and a wide gap at the base. Bracketing the wreath are arched presentations of the numerical dates “1776” and “1976,” on the hoist end, and “Bi-Centennial” on the fly. The reason this flag is so interesting is a factor of both how unusual it is and how rare, in addition to having great graphics and being in a very bold but manageable size. At the time of the 1876 centennial of American independence there was all manner of creativity in the manufacture of flags to celebrate the event. Before 1912 there was no official star configuration for the American flag, nor official shades of red and blue, or any specific number of points that the stars had to have, or official proportions, or placement of the blue canton within the striped field. Because there were no restrictions with regard to the use of text or images on the flag, all manner of additional graphics were permissible. Americans utilized this liberty with regard to flag-making to create artistic expressions of patriotism. In 1912, all of the above changed via an Executive Order of President Howard Taft. This laid out all aspects previously unspecified, at least with regard to flags made for use by the “Department of the Government,” meaning those made for government and military use. Flags made for use by the general public could theoretically have appeared in any shape or form, uninhibited by the restrictions. The result of Taft’s order was pretty much universal, however, affecting the design of most all flags thereafter. There are exceptions, but by and large, flag design was fairly generic thereafter, at least to the average eye. The United States Flag Code, adopted in 1923, laid out suggestions for proper etiquette and use of the Stars & Stripes. Amended occasionally, this still exists, though there is no true enforcement of the code. Cases have been brought in federal court, but no judgments have been executed as a result. Still, in the era between 1912 and 1976, very little is seen with any sort of graphics that made some American flags so spectacularly graphic and visually during the 19th century and prior than they are today. In 1976 one may see copies of the Bennington flag, long thought to be our nation’s earliest surviving example (the date disproved at about the same time by Grace Rogers Cooper of the Smithsonian), as well as copies of the Betsy Ross design. Nothing, however, that I know of exists with graphics that even come close to approaching those of Henry Fredette’s 1974-copyrighted, double Great Star, with 56 + 13 stars. Just two copies are known to presently exist, of which this is one. WWII veteran Henry Fredette, a member of the Third Photo Mapping Squadron and the First Photo Charting Group, is described in his obituary as well-read and an accomplished businessman. A Real Estate Developer, he was a collector of antiques, a student of history and politics, and served as a delegate to the 1972 Republican National Convention. He also served as Chair of the Fitchburg Bi-Centennial and is noted has having designed commemorative flags, not only for the nation’s bicentennial, but many other purposes. Among these are a 1975 Fort Ticonderoga bicentennial design, an American Revolution bicentennial design with a map of New England, 6 stars for the 6 New England States, and a minuteman (copyrighted 1972), a red, white and blue standard commemorating the 1987 bicentennial of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, a 1990 Lebanon hostage flag, and a Desert Storm flag. Construction: The flag is constructed of cotton. The stars and text are printed. The stripes are individually pieced and sewn by machine. There is a twill cotton binding along the hoist, with two brass grommets. Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed by us in-house. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples. For 25 years we have maintained our own textile conservation department, led by a master’s degree level graduate from one of the nation’s top programs. The black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed molding is Italian. The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been washed and treated for colorfastness. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Feel free to contact us for more details. Condition: There is minor to modest fading and there are a few extremely minor stains, but there are no serious condition issues. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings |
| Flag Type: | Sewn flag |
| Star Count: | Other |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1974 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1976 |
| State/Affiliation: | Massachusetts |
| War Association: | |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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