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  13 STARS IN THE EXTREMELY RARE PATTERN NAMED AFTER JOHN TRUMBULL, CIVIL WAR ERA

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 55" x 75"
Flag Size (H x L): [please call if needed]
Description....:
CIVIL WAR ERA, 13 STAR FLAG IN THE EXTREMELY RARE PATTERN NAMED AFTER ARTIST JOHN TRUMBULL, GEORGE WASHINGTON'S AIDE-DE-CAMP:

Only a tiny number of early 13 star flags exist in the square medallion configuration that has become known as the "Trumbull" pattern, named after the revolutionary war officer, John Trumbull, who served as George Washington's aide-de-camp before becoming an accomplished painter of portraits, landscapes, and historical American scenes. This beautiful and very rare star arrangement is comprised of a single, center star, surrounded by a box of 12 stars that runs the perimeter of the canton. A small handful of tiny, four-inch-long, printed parade flags are known in this style, but I have seen fewer than five, full-size examples in the Trumbull design, with traditional pieced-and-sewn construction.

Flags with this star pattern acquired the Trumbull name because they appear in at least three of his works, including The Battle of Princeton (June, 1777), The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York (October, 1777) and one of the two versions of The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia, (October 1781). None of these views were sketched or painted in first person, so it is uncertain whether the designs of the American flags in these particular paintings bore any direct relationship to flags that were actually present at each engagement. Trumbull, however, was known for his great attention to detail. In his landmark book, "Standards and Colors of the American Revolution", noted flag historian Edward Richardson describes Trumbull as "meticulous to the accuracy of uniforms and accoutrements" and concludes that "the flags depicted in [his] paintings should be considered as accurate versions of the time". There is some question of Trumbull's flag illustrations, however, because he painted the flag differently in different renditions of the same scene. For example, his depiction of the Stars & Stripes in a 1787 version of the Cornwallis surrender shows a different pattern than the one in a copy done about three years later. But whatever the truth may be, the square medallion found in some of Trumbull's paintings has permanently associated his name with this exceedingly scarce configuration.

This particular flag has great visual characteristics. Note how the stars have unusually pointy arms and that the box they form is rather lopsided within the beautiful, royal blue canton. Also note that the flag has exaggerated length, a trait seen in some of the most spectacular, homemade, Civil War flags. This narrow, long format allowed the flag to be folded back-and-forth in two, three-dimensional ripples, to create a interesting display of more manageable size.

The flag is made entirely of cotton. The stars are hand-sewn and double-appliqued, which means that they were applied to both sides of the royal blue canton. The stripes are joined with treadle-stitching and there is a cotton rope inside the sleeve at the hoist end, which is bound in the same fashion. Cotton flags with sewn construction were, for all practical purposes, not produced by commercial flag-makers in the 19th century Cotton absorbs water and is a poor choice of fabric for extended outdoor use, but homemade flags were often made of cotton, beginning in the mid-19th century, because it was readily available, inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to sew. It was the poor man's fabric and a clear, low-cost alternative to wool and silk, the primary fabrics used in naval and infantry flags (respectfully).

The purpose of this flag was most likely for some patriotic purpose, such as use during the recruitment of volunteers during the Civil War (1861-65), or to promote a political campaign. It was most certainly flown outdoors, at least for a period long enough to develop the lateral tears that are present in the canton, one of which has a very fine, stitched repair.

13 star flags have been used throughout our Nation's history for a variety of purposes. The U.S. Navy used the 13 star count on small boats, not only in the 18th century, but throughout much or all of the 19th century, particularly the second half. The practice ended in 1916 following an executive order from President Woodrow Wilson. Some private ships also used 13 star flags during the same period as the Navy, and the use of yachting ensigns with a wreath of 13 stars surrounding an anchor, which began in 1848, still persists today. Among other uses, 13 star flags were carried by soldiers during the Mexican and Civil Wars and displayed at patriotic events, including Lafayette's visit in 1825-26, the celebration of the Nation's Centennial in 1876, and the Sesquicentennial in 1926.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, 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. The flag was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. A shadowbox was created to accommodate the silk ties, which were mounted in a 3-D folded format. The front is u.v. protective plexiglas.

Condition: There are several lateral tears in the canton, from obvious use, with minor associated fabric loss. The stripes are in outstanding condition with only the tiniest amount of fraying at the top and bottom of the fly end. This is an outstanding state of preservation for a flag of the period. Many collectors prefer their flags to show their age.
Collector Level: Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1861
Latest Date of Origin: 1865
State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: Sold
 

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