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  THE FIRST NATIONAL FLAG OF AMERICA: THE "GRAND UNION", ONE OF ONLY THREE KNOWN 19TH CENTURY EXAMPLES WITH SEWN CONSTRUCTION, FOUND IN GREATER PHILADELPHIA, MADE IN 1876 FOR THE CENTENNIAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 50.5" x 85.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 38" x 73"
Description....:
THE FIRST NATIONAL FLAG OF AMERICA: THE "GRAND UNION":
ONE OF ONLY THREE KNOWN 19TH CENTURY EXAMPLES WITH SEWN CONSTRUCTION, FOUND IN GREATER PHILADELPHIA, MADE IN 1876 FOR THE CENTENNIAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION:

The "Grand Union" is the most commonly used name today for the first national flag of the United States. This was the design that was in use when America was still a colony of Britain. Like other outposts of the British Empire, this flag employs the Union Jack image in the canton, accompanied by a field that somehow reflects the respective colony; in this case, 13 red and white stripes.

The Grand Union went by many names. 19th century flag historians seem to have preferred the term "Continental Grand Union", but this language is not found in 18th century documents or literature. In the period, it was simply referred to as the "Continental" or "Union" flag (or colors). The first record of its use as a national ensign appears to be in an illustration of Philadelphia from the Delaware River by George Heap, which was published by British engraver G. Vandergucht in 1754. The image showed a heavily gunned ship flying a large Grand Union off the stern, with 9 instead of 13 stripes, accompanied by a small Union Jack flown off the bow and what appears to be a British commissioning pennant at the top mast. While the British East Indies Company used an almost identical flag as its commercial ensign during the same century, the ship in Heap's view on Philadelphia is clearly a Naval gun ship. It seems likely that an American-based, British Naval vessel may have flown the design as the national colors.*

Because the Stars & Stripes wasn't officially created until the Flag Act was passed by the Second Continental Congress on June 14th, 1777, the Grand Union was still in use during the opening years of the Revolutionary War (1775-1777). If Washington carried a national flag on the battlefield or hung one from his quarters, this would have been it. In fact, he stated in a letter that he raised the "Union flag" for the first time on January 1st, 1776, to honor the newly formed Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts. John Paul Jones had hoisted one over the ship "Alfred" December 3rd, 1775, and a host of other illustrations show the flag in use on Continental ships during the war's opening years. Such a flag is also shown on land in places such as Fort Schuyler, New York.

Despite the importance of this flag in American history, few people now recognize the design. One reason might be found in the simple fact that the design was hardly popular after the Stars & Stripes emerged and the war gained momentum. Ties to England were severed and reminders of British rule were shunned. Because of these facts, the Grand Union never became popular to reproduce. 19th century reproductions, such as the one in question, are practically unknown. Fewer than ten are known to exist that date to the 19th century. I can think of six, three of which I either own or have previously sold. Of these, half are printed flags that date to the 1876 centennial. Only three are pieced-and-sewn examples. This flag is one of those three.

The flag was found in the possession of a family from Philadelphia. Because the city played host to the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition, a 6-month long, World's Fair event held in conjunction with the nation's 100-year anniversary of independence, and because the flag dates to the 1876 era, it is logical to assume that this flag was made for that event. While the design was less than popular, these fairs celebrated both national history and modern accomplishments, with an eye to positive international cooperation and mutual respect. This would probably explain why one of the Grand Union parade flags I have seen is stitched into a Centennial celebration quilt, and another was found with a group of press-dyed wool, international flags that were signed by Horstmann Brothers & Co., a major Philadelphia military supply house, which supplied many flags and banners for the 1876 World's Fair.

The canton of the flag is made of wool bunting that was pieced by hand-stitching. This was joined by hand to the wool bunting stripes, which were pieced with a treadle machine. This construction is typical of the 1876 era and this particular wool is indicative of the same period. The extra pieces of fabric at the top and bottom corners of the hoist are original to its construction. These are called gussets and were included for support at two of the flag's weakest points. The heavy cotton sleeve along the hoist is unusually wide. This would have allowed for a wooden staff to be passed straight through and the tiny holes and surrounding spots of rust at the top, bottom, and center are evidence of the upholstery tacks that were used to affix the flag in place.

Note the elongated proportions of the flag, as well as its deep, appealing colors. When these two things are added to the bold design of the Grand Union itself, the result is a 19th century textile with not only great importance and rarity, but with striking visual imagery.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% silk organza for support on every horizontal seam within the field, as well as in the canton as needed for support. The flag was then hand-stitched to a background of 100% cotton, black in color, which 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. The mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The front is u.v. protective acrylic.

Condition: There is minor, scattered mothing throughout, but there are no serious condition issues. The flag's presentation is nothing short of striking and its great rarity among known examples would warrant any condition.

*Information in this paragraph was taken from "Standards & Colors of the American Revolution" by Edward C. Richardson (1982, University of Pennsylvania Press and the Pennsylvania Society of the Revolution and its Color Guard).
Collector Level: Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 1876
Latest Date of Origin: 1876
State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies
War Association: 1777-1860 Pre-Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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