39-Star Patriotic Silk Flag, circa 1876-1888

This is a striking 38-star American flag. The flag dates to 1876-1890, when Colorado (represented by the large star in the center of the flag’s canton) joined the Union as the 38th s...

This is a 39-star unofficial American flag, handmade and printed on cotton. The flag dates to 1889 and has a unique history, thanks to its rare star-count. The flag’s canton is prin...

This is a beautifully preserved WWII Navy aircraft carrier banner, emblazoned with a welcome for the ship's firemen. The banner is partially printed and has sewn elements. The flag's field is dyed a rich navy blue, with a resist dyed white stripe and a sewn red stripe at both top and bottom. A large "WELCOME" is resist dyed at center, in big white letters. This is followed by a sewn yellow strip of contrasting fabric, printed with the word "FIREMEN" in blue. Thirteen white stars complete the design of this patriotic piece of WWII and Navy history. The banner retains its original white hoist, with two metal grommets on each side, for ease in display on the ship. Along the center of the hoist is the printed name of "J.S. Sullivan." "Naugatuck, Conn." is printed along the left and the size "2 x3 FT" is printed along the right. The flag maker, Annin, has sewn in its label, boasting "guaranteed defiance fast colors." CONDITION: Very good condition, considering age and past use. Partially printed and hand-sewn flag construction. Some toning to the white of the flag and along the top hoist. Original grommets at left and right of the hoist. The flag measures 36" X 22". Expertly framed on black linen with an antiqued black wood...

This 36-star flag has stars arranged in a gorgeous and highly desirable medallion pattern. This particular medallion includes a large haloed star in the middle, two rings of stars s...

The stars of this extremely rare, Civil War-era flag are arranged in what is sometimes called the "Great Flower" pattern, a large star made out of smaller stars -- named as such beca...

This is a rare 31-star medallion printed American flag, celebrating the addition of California to the Union. The flag is printed on silk and has a spectacular “Great Star” canton pat...

39 STARS IN TWO SIZES, ALTERNATING FROM ONE COLUMN TO THE NEXT, ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG DATING TO THE 1876 CENTENNIAL, NEVER AN OFFICIAL STAR COUNT,...

PATRIOTIC SILK KERCHIEF OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD, WITH AN ENGRAVED IMAGE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, CROSSED 34 STAR FLAGS, AN EAGLE, AND "UNION FOREVER" SLOGAN: Patriotic kerchiefs that date prior to the 1876 Centennial of American Independence are rare among surviving 19th century textiles. Printed on silk and made during the opening years of the Civil War, this example consists of a white ground with red and blue borders. Inside is a prominent, copper engraved, device that consists of a large image of George Washington, crowned by a spread winged eagle that grasps a billowing streamer in its beak and talons. The ribbon boasts the Federal sentiment "Union Forever." The likeness of Washington is derived from Gilbert Stuart's Athenaeum portrait. Below this is a facsimile of Washington's signature, cradled by crossed American flags, each with 34 stars arranged in circular medallions. Although political textile historian Herbert Ridgway Collins associated this kerchief with the centennial of American independence,* there is overwhelming evidence that it was produced earlier. The large scale is much more indicative of kerchiefs produced in the 1860's and prior. Made of silk, the binding is hand-stitched, which is also common of those produced before 1876. When these facts are added to the pro-Union Civil War slogan and flags in the 34 star count, the combination of all these factors points firmly to Civil War period manufacture. Kansas was admitted into the Union as the 34th state on January 29th, 1861, about two-and-a-half months before the Confederate assault on Fort Sumter that marked the beginning of the Civil War. The 34th star was officially added on July 4th of that year and the star count remained official until July 4th, 1863. Further evidence can be found in an example of this kerchief that resides in the collection of the Adams County, Pennsylvania Historical Society, with firm provenance to a woman by the name of Emma Yount. The story goes like this: “With the Battle of Gettysburg looming and the countryside in turmoil, the Union cavalry rode into Gettysburg on the afternoon of June 30, 1863. The troopers dismounted and lounged in the town while awaiting further orders. During that time, the seven year old daughter of innkeeper Israel Yount, Emma, was playing outside their home when a cavalryman asked her to come and visit with him while he was resting. The cavalryman told her that he missed his young daughter at home and asked if little Emma would hug and kiss him on the cheek to remind him of his daughter, who he felt he might not ever see again. Emma asked her mother if she could do as the cavalryman suggested, and her mother considered the circumstances and allowed Emma to do so. Before leaving, the cavalryman gave young Emma a silk handkerchief he was carrying that featured George Washington's image and patriotic border and flags. Emma kept that handkerchief until her death in 1946 and it was then donated to the Adams County Historical Society.” The trio of brass rings, hand-sewn along the top edge, would have been added by a former owner so that it could be hung vertically. The textile itself is both beautiful in design and rare. Outside of an example pictured by Collins in his book “Threads of History” (Smithsonian Press, 1979), and the copy in the Adams County Historical Society, only three others like it are known to have surfaced, including this example. This condition is excellent for the period and it survives as an exceptional relic of the War Between the States. It is of interest to note that kerchief bears marked similarities to another, especially rare, pro-Union variety, that was produced in London for the American market. Notably larger in scale, but very much alike in terms of the fabric, the printing, the shades of red and blue, the verbiage, and the general overall graphic feel, it was produced by Foster & Porter, a known, English maker of printed kerchiefs. Instead of featuring George Washington, the imagery centers on a large cannon...

Antique American Flag with 10-pointed stars that spell “1776 – 1876”, Made for the 100-Year Anniversary Of American Independence,one of the most graphic of all early examples. Man...

38 star antique American parade flag with scattered star orientation, made of silk, with generous scale and vivid colors, Colorado Statehood, 1876-1889 38 star American national p...

38 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH HAND-SEWN STARS IN AN 8-7-8-7-8 PATTERN OF JUSTIFIED ROWS, MADE IN THE PERIOD WHEN COLORADO WAS THE MOST RECENT STATE TO JOIN THE UNION, 1876-1889 ...

Nothing could be more of the moment than this patriotic flag quilt depicting Old Glory. It was most likely made either for the admission of Arizona into st...