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  VINTAGE FLAG OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS, WHICH BECAME THE TEXAS STATE FLAG, MADE CIRCA 1930 – 1950’s

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 46.5" x 70"
Flag Size (H x L): 34.5" x 58.5"
Description....:
Texas State flag, made sometime in the period between the 1930’s and the 1950’s. The single star is made of cotton and is double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) with a zigzag machine stitch. The vertical bar and the two horizontal bars are pieced and joined with lineal machine stitching. There is a canvas binding along the hoist with two brass grommets, along which, near the top, on the obverse, “3 x 5” is stamped, to indicate size in feet, followed by a maker’s mark that reads: “Samson Bunting. Guaranteed Fast Colors.” I have seen this mark before, or else I may not have been able to make out the verbiage, which is very faded. While I know of American national flags to exist with the same verbiage, with 48 stars, including one that I sold many years ago, I have been unable to identify the location of manufacture or any other information about the maker. In fact, while Samson is probably the name of the manufacturer, it is possible that this was merely a brand name used by the maker to identify the grade of fabric, other materials, and construction employed.

19th century examples of the Flag of the Republic of Texas, which was to eventually become its flag as a state, are near-to-non-existent, both in both private hands and within institutional collections. Even flags of the early 20th century are surprisingly scarce.

Brief History of the Flag of the Republic of Texas / Texas State Flag:
Although its designer remains unknown, a flag in this general design was introduced to the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 28, 1838. Presented by Senator William H. Wharton, it was adopted on January 25, 1839 as the final of several national flag designs used to represent the Republic of Texas, when it was a nation unto itself. A man by the name of Dr. Charles B. Stewart is credited with the drawing, accepted by the Third Congress of the Republic, when it enacted the legislation through which the flag was officially adopted.

Use of one "Lone Star" in Texas symbolized its solidarity in declaring independence from Mexico. A single, large star appeared on what is known as the "Burnet Flag," which served as the national flag of the Republic of Texas from 1836 until 1839. It also appeared on the flags designed by Stephen F. Austin in 1835 and Lorenzo de Zavala in 1836, the latter of which was allegedly adopted in the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos. It is of interest to note that flag historians also cite the use of a single, large star decades beforehand, in The Republic of West Florida, which existed in 1810 for a period of just over two and a half months.

It is also of interest to note that during the Civil War, the State Flag of Texas was sometimes married with that of the First Confederate National Flag (a.k.a., the Stars & Bars). The latter was very similar to the flag of Texas, instead displaying a blue canton in the upper, hoist-end corner, similar to the Stars & Stripes, on which there were a number of white stars to represent the count of Confederate States at any particular time. This grew as more states were accepted to the Confederacy. The canton was paired with a field of three horizontal bars, in red-white-red. Texas patriotism during the war sometimes led to the combination of the two flags, via the use of just one lone star on a flag in the First National design. Close variants of this can also be encountered.

Although design of the Flag of the Republic of Texas remained the de facto state flag from 1879 - 1933, there was technically no official state flag during this period. This is because, in 1879, all statutes not explicitly renewed by the state were repealed under something called the "Revised Civil Statutes of 1879." Since the statutes pertaining to the flag were not among those renewed in that year, Texas was formally flagless until the passage Texas Flag Code in 1933.

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

The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been washed and treated for colorfastness. The black-painted and hand-gilded and distressed molding is Italian. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass. Feel free to contact us for more details.

Condition: There is minor to moderate soiling in the white bar, and minor soiling in the other white fabric. There are minor holes in each of the three primary fabrics. Many of my clients like vintage flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: Other
Earliest Date of Origin: 1930
Latest Date of Origin: 1959
State/Affiliation: Texas
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

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