| RARE & BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH IMAGES OF TEDDY ROOSEVELT AND HIS GREAT WHITE FLEET, 1907-1909, EX-RICHARD PIERCE COLLECTION |
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| Web ID: | 46j-906 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 21.75" x 27.75" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 13" x 18.5" |
| Description: | |
| 46 star parade flag, printed on very fine silk, made to celebrate the launch of Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet in 1907. The Great White Fleet was a United States Navy force that completed a circumnavigation of the globe from December 16, 1907, to February 22, 1909 at Roosevelt’s bidding. It consisted of four squadrons of four battleships each, with associated escorts. Through deployment of the Great White Fleet, Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American military power. This was largely fueled by an ongoing show of force by the Japanese Royal Navy. Japanese-American relations were tense and the Pacific Fleet was rather small. Roosevelt felt that action was required. In addition to several U.S. destinations and Japan, the ports visited during the round-the-world tour included Trinidad, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippine Islands, China, Ceylon, Egypt, and Gibraltar. Superimposed on the flag image are circular medallions containing portraits of each of the 16 battleships. Their round shape makes them appear as though they are being viewed through a porthole or spyglass. Inside these are oval portraits of the four Admirals that commanded the squadrons, flanking a larger medallion picturing T.R. himself, commander-in-chief. The four admirals pictured are Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry (top left), Rear Admiral William H. Emory (top right), Rear Admiral Charles M. Thomas (bottom left), and Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans (bottom right). There were four legs of the two year tour, and having been selected by seniority, three of the four men retired during the journey. The flag itself is highly unusual. As the 20th century neared, flag ethics began to emerge that would affect the use of the Stars & Stripes for the purpose of advertising. The practice of printing candidates’ names and faces directly on the flag had been employed liberally since 1840. In the 1880's, however, booklets began to appear, issued mostly by insurance companies, patriotic organizations, and veteran’s groups, that spelled out rules thought to be prudent regarding use and display of our nation's flag. It was at this time that public sentiment began to lean toward treatment of the flag as a sacred object. Bills governing flag desecration passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 1890, and the U.S. Senate in both 1904 and 1908, but were not at the time adopted into law. By 1905, however, 34 of the 45 states had passed their own laws regarding flag use. This textile is an excellent representation of the continued use of images on the American flag, disregarding widespread departure from doing so. Examples such as this, made beyond the latter half of the 1890’s, almost never including the portraits of U.S. Presidents or other political and military figures. The 46th state, Oklahoma, joined the Union on November 16th, 1907, during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency. Roosevelt had many friends in the Oklahoma Territory from his Rough Rider days, and pushed it through to statehood. The 46 star flag became official on July 4th, 1908 and remained so until July 3rd, 1912. Many 46 star flags were made earlier, however, in great anticipation of the future addition of the state, which had previously been appointed to Native Americans. Provenance: Formerly in the collection of J. Richard Pierce, a leading collector of American parade flags. Ex-Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques. Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples. The two part frame consists of a black-painted, hand-gilded, and distressed Italian molding with a convex profile, to which a very dark brown molding, almost black, with reddish undertones and highlights, and a step-down profile, was added as a cap. The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been washed and treated for colorfastness. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass. Feel free to contact us for more details. Condition: Exceptional. There is a tiny amount of bleeding, foxing, and misprinting, but there are no serious condition issues. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything |
| Flag Type: | Parade flag |
| Star Count: | 46 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1907 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1909 |
| State/Affiliation: | Oklahoma |
| War Association: | |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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