Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  TRIANGULAR FELT SUFFRAGETTE PENNANT WITH "VOTES FOR WOMEN," AND ENDEARING WEAR FROM OBVIOUS LONG-TERM USE, 1910-20

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 16" x 30.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 7.5" x 18"
Description....:
Triangular, felt, suffragette pennant, with printed black lettering that reads: "Votes for Women." Yellow was the customary color of the suffrage movement in America, coupled with a variety of subordinate colors, primarily black on felt textiles. Violet and green were the traditional colors of the women's movement in England, though these sometimes appear in the States.

Suffragette pennants are particularly scarce and sought-after. This is nice example in a manageable size. Although this exact example is not documented in the two major references on Suffrage objects, it is similar enough to an array of known and documented examples, that exist in a variety of lettering styles, as to be an iconic representation of suffrage textiles in the most generalized sense. This is the precise image that comes to mind when I think of a Women's Suffrage pennant.

Mounting: The textile was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by masters degree trained staff. We take great care in the mounting and presentation of flags and have preserved thousands of examples.

The background is 100% hemp fabric or a hemp and cotton blend (we use these interchangeably). The mount was then placed in a modern frame with a finish that is very dark brown, nearly black, with red with a red undertone and highlights, to which a black-painted and hand-gilded Italian molding was added as a cap. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass.

Condition: There is moderate fading of the black and yellow felt, accompanied by minor soiling and scattering of tiny rust stains. There is a tack hole at the top of the hoist and a larger hole at the bottom of the hoist, with associated loss, where the pennant was once tacked to a staff or perhaps a wall. There is minor fabric loss at the tip of the fly end. Many of my clients prefer early flags and related textiles to show their age and history of use, especially when this presents in an attractive and endearing way, which is certainly the case here.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type:
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 1910
Latest Date of Origin: 1920
State/Affiliation:
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

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