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  Magnificent Early 13 Star American Flag -- Hand Sewn Silk -- Very Small Size

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 26.5" x 35"
Flag Size (H x L): 16" x 26.5"
Description....:
13 star American national flag in an extremely rare small size, found in Massachusetts, entirely hand-sewn of silk taffeta. Bears an oval wreath of stars, surrounding a larger center star. This design is often referred to as the 3rd Maryland pattern. The name comes from a flag that was thought to have been present with General Daniel Morgan, carried by Color Sergeant William Batchelor of the Maryland Light Infantry at the battle of Cowpens in 1781. The Cowpens flag, which now resides at the state capital in Annapolis, was later discovered to be of Mexican War origin (1846-48) at the earliest. A similar flag in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of History & Technology was carried by the Maryland and District of Columbia Battallion of Volunteers in the Mexican War. Hand-sewn silk flags like this one are among the earliest design construction for the stars and stripes. While most union battle flags were made of hand-sewn and painted silk, few privately-used sewn flags seem to have been made of silk at or after the Civil War. This flag was discovered at a Western Massachusetts estate. It was likely home-made for a specific event and given as a presentation piece. Silk flags of this period (Civil War or shortly prior) seldom survive in such remarkable condition, and the extraordinarily small size is beyond ideal. Bible flags and souvenir flags excluded, this is one of the smallest sewn flags I have ever seen dating to the 19th century. 13 star flags have been used throughout our Nation's history for a variety of purposes. The Navy used them on small boats from 1776 until 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson wrote an executive order that terminated this historic connection to our colonial past. They were displayed in celebration of Layfayette's final visit to the U.S. in 1825-26 and were carried by soldiers during the Mexican and Civil Wars. They were also made to commemorate American independence during the Nation's Centennial in 1876, the Sesquicentennial in 1926, and on other patriotic occasions. Construction: Hand-sewn silk taffeta with a fine linen sleeve and tiny, hand-made brass grommets. The silk stars are single-appliqued. Mounting: the flag has been sewn to 100% cotton and placed in a fantastic silver gilt frame of the 1830-1860 period. spacers were used to keep the textile away from the glass, which is u.v. protective.
Collector Level:
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1848
Latest Date of Origin: 1865
State/Affiliation: Maryland
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: No
 

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