| 48 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG OF THE 1912-1918 ERA, LIKELY A U.S. NAVY SMALL BOAT ENSIGN, PRODUCED FOR U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN WWI (1917-18); THE EARLIEST IDENTIFIED EXAMPLE OF ANY KIND FROM PROMINENT U.S. FLAG-MAKER JOHN C. DETTRA, THE FIRM OF WHICH PRACTICALLY NEVER SIGNED FLAGS UNTIL POST-WWII (1945 & AFTER) |
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| Web ID: | 48j-1067 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 43.25" x 64.25" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 32.5" x 54.5" |
| Description: | |
| 48 star American national flag, made by prominent flag manufacturer, Dettra, with a large and otherwise unknown maker’s tag. Probably produced for U.S. involvement in WWI (1917-1918), likely under U.S. Navy contract, this was the first time since the mid-19th century when U.S. Navy small “boat flags” (a.k.a., small boat ensigns), regularly bore the full star count. Prior to a 1916 Executive Order of then-President Woodrow Wilson, small boat flags typically employed a count of 13 stars, selected in a low number, equivalent to the original number of colonies, so that they could be more easily distinguished at a distance as individual objects. With large counts of stars on a small flag, the premise was that they would appear as one white mass, raising question as to the flag’s identity. By 1916, following many years of World’s Fair events here and abroad, the world voyage of Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet (1907-1909), and many other factors, the American flag was far better recognized without the need to count stars. Because wool sheds water, and cotton absorbs it, wool was the fabric of choice for almost all flags made for long-term outdoor use. From the mid-17th century until the mid-20th, almost all such flags were produced from wool bunting, a specialty fabric used only in the manufacture of flags and banners. Gauze-like in appearance, with an open weave that allowed air to pass through, the structure of the cloth, itself, discouraged water from gathering. In 1901, John Dettra founded the John C. Dettra Company in Oaks, Pennsylvania, just west of Philadelphia. Though I believe others to have experimented with cotton and/or cotton blends prior to Dettra, as evidenced by unsigned examples I have owned or viewed, John Dettra trademarked the name “Bull Dog Bunting” in 1911, specifically for use on flags made of a 2-ply cotton fabric that he offered, as an alternative to its wool counterpart. Introduced with the hope of both discouraging the absorption of water and avoiding the ever-present problem of moths, the brand name successfully conquered the test of time, still in regular use today. The canton and the stripes of this particular flag are made of the 2-ply cotton bunting trademarked by John Dettra, that has been pieced and sewn by machine stitching. The stars are made of cotton and are double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) with a zigzag machine stitch. There is a heavy canvas binding along the hoist, with three rows of lineal machine stitching and two brass grommets, one each at the extreme top and bottom. Along the binding, on the obverse (front), near the top, is a large, rectangular, maker’s label. Printed on a panel of thin muslin, applied by machine, the result appears as if the image and words were printed on the hoist itself. Rendered in blue pigment, this consists of a notedly detailed bull dog head, followed by "BULL DOG BUNTING" in large block letters, with "Trade Mark Registered U.S. Patent Office" below, in a tiny font, followed by "Insect Proof" and "Double Warp and Double Filled" in an inbetween size. Closer to the outer edge, and adjacent to the top, is a black-inked measurement (not part of the label) that reads: 2’11” x 5’1”. Although the fly measurement specified above not correspond to U.S. Navy regulations, the hoist measurement of 2.9 feet does. Though the small boat flag listed as No. 10 in 1914 regulations was specified as 5.51 feet, actual measurements are known to have varied widely before this time, with variances allowed and driven by such factors and cost and necessity. Though the Navy produced its own flags outside wartime, the requirements of war were comparatively massive. It is of interest to note that the 5’ 1” specs match the fly measurements of another size used by the Navy for admirals and other high officials, that was 3’ 6” on the hoist and thus far less elongated. Because the patterning and extent of the endearing wear suggest maritime use, I expect that the flag’s original length was probably specified under a specific naval contract, required for a type of craft that fared better with a slightly shorter flag, so as not to interfere with rigging or some other obstacle. This Bull Dog label is not only rare, but represents the only instance of it that I have ever seen on an American National flag. The only other of this style that I have had chance to encounter was applied to a son-in-service flag, made for an Odd Fellows fraternal chapter. Because the service flag design was created in the opening year of WWI, and was uniquely wartime-specific, it verified the corresponding date. Because John Dettra changed the name of the firm around 1918 to Dettra Flag Company, and the label here does not, like all other known labels, even include the Dettra name, I suspect this to be the earliest of all Bull Dog marks. For some reason, the signing of flags by their makers was extremely uncommon in early America. Though both Horstmann Bros. of Philadelphia, and Annin of New York—Dettra’s largest competitor and its eventual owner—were signing numerous flags in the latter half of the 19th century, even these firms seemed to have neglected to mark the vast majority of what they produced, perhaps marking just 5% or even less of what was sold. This is merely a guess, but having owned simply thousands of antique American flags, and having viewed thousands more, it’s one made with a sound understanding of what survives. Maker’s stencils, stamps, and labels remained scarce through WWII, with standardization not achieving modern stride until thereafter. Though Annin employed more maker’s labels than any other producer during WWII, Dettra did not follow suit. Even between the name change, in or around 1918, and the 1930’s, I have seen just one example on an American national flag with a label that likely dates to this period. Similar to the WWI label in size, application, and appearance, there is a shield instead of the bull dog, containing the words: “Dettra’s Flag Products”, plus two-color printing, the words “Moth Proof,” and the slogan: “Dyed with Everlasting ‘Wear-Ever’ Colors”. Another early Dettra mark, period to WWII, though almost equally rare, employs the brand name “Valley Forge Bunting Flag,” not to be confused with the actual name of one of its other staunch competitors, Valley Forge Flag Company, located just 15 miles northwest, in Spring City, Pennsylvania. Annin bought out Dettra in 1998, along with the Bull Dog name. The 48 star flag became official on July 4th, 1912, following the addition of New Mexico on January 6th of that year, and the February 14th addition of Arizona. It remained the official star count throughout not only WWI, but WWII (U.S. involvement 1941-45), and the Korean War (1950-53), until Alaska gained statehood in 1959 and the 49th star was added. Mounting: For 25 years we have maintained a specialized department for this purpose. Our lead conservator holds a master's degree in textile conservation from one of the nation’s top university programs. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples. The background fabric is 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been washed and treated for colorfastness. The 2-part frame consists of a woodgrain molding, with a dark brown finish, almost black, to which an extraordinary molding, constructed of wood, but with a finish that presents like antique iron, was added as a cap. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Feel free to contact us for more details. Condition: There is significant fading of the label and size specification, moderate to significant soiling throughout the white fabrics especially, and moderate to significant fading of the red stripes, along with modest to moderate of the same in the blue canton. There is significant fabric loss along the fly end. In some instances, losses and wear can actually be positive to the flags’ value. That is the case here, where, in spite of the lack of known specific history, the flag wears its history on its sleeve, so-to-speak. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age. Here, the legitimate wear is both indicative of long-term use and endearing, in addition to the fact that the flag’s presentation is visually compelling. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts |
| Flag Type: | Sewn flag |
| Star Count: | 48 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1912 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1918 |
| State/Affiliation: | Arizona |
| War Association: | WW 1 |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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