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Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques

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York County, PA
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About Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques

As an advisor to top museums and collectors alike, Jeff Bridgman is the world's leading expert and source for antique American flags and political textiles. In this field there are many fakes, forgeries, and misrepresented items, and there is no substitute for experience. As the nation's leading buyer and seller, Jeff R. Bridgman Antiques, Inc. has handled more material than anyone in the field. Jeff has also operated a textile conservation business for 18 years, where expert staff have conservation mounted, framed and restored thousands of examples, more than anyone ...Read More

Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques

Established in 19911stDibs seller since 2008

Contact Info

Featured Pieces

Rare Suffragette Armband in Golden Yellow Felt, ca 1912-1919
Located in York County, PA
RARE SUFFRAGETTE ARMBAND IN GOLDEN YELLOW FELT, ONE OF ONLY TWO EXAMPLES THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED IN THIS COLOR & THE ONLY ONE IN THIS EXACT STYLE; MADE circa 1912-1919: Wide, felt ...
Category

Vintage 1910s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Felt

Oversized, Paint-Decorated Baseball Bat Presented to J. Whipple
Located in York County, PA
Over-sized, Paint-Decorated Baseball Bat, Presented To "J. Whipple" of the "Erie Baseball Club," circa 1858-1870s This remarkable bat, the best 19th century example that I have ever seen, was was presented to "J. Whipple" of the "Erie Baseball Club." Painted red, white, blue, and black, the bat it is decorated in gold with the club's crest. The inscribed date of 1871 may have been added later. This could certainly be accurate in terms of its year of use, though it may actually pre-date this. In combination with the date of the Erie Baseball Club of Buffalo, the painted surface and crest suggest a date between 1858 and perhaps the 1870's at the latest. The graphics of the crest are more indicative of the mid-19th century than the latter decades. The "J. Whipple" on the bat may have been Joseph Oliver Whipple of Buffalo, New York (b. abt. 1830 in NY, d. 14 Oct 1884 in Buffalo, NY -- died in the Erie Canal). There was a baseball club by that name in Buffalo, founded in 1858. There were at least two other clubs by the same name, however, in the same period. One was located in Troy New York...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Centre County Pennsylvania Blanket Chest with Salmon and Black Floral Decoration
Located in York County, PA
PAINTED, CENTRE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA BLANKET CHEST IN SALMON AND BLACK WITH FLORAL DECORATION, 3 DRAWERS, AND APPLIED, SPLAY FEET, circa 1815-1825 S...
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Antique Mid-19th Century American Painted Furniture

Materials

Wood

34 Star Antique American Flag with Hourglass Medallion Stars, ca 1861-1863
Located in York County, PA
EXTRAORDINARY 34 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH AN ACCORDION OR HOURGLASS MEDALLION CONFIGURATION THAT SURROUNDS A PENTAGON OF STARS IN THE CENTER; MADE OF FINE SILK AND ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN; MADE DURING THE OPENING YEARS OF THE CIVIL WAR (1861-63), IN A TINY SIZE AMONG ITS COUNTERPARTS OF THE PERIOD; REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF KANSAS AS THE 34TH STATE 34 star flag of the Civil War period with an array of rare, beautiful, and otherwise desirable features. Extremely small among flags of this period with pieced and sewn construction, the flag displays a star pattern that is not only highly unusual, but unique to this particular example. This consists of a single star in the very center, surrounded by a pentagon of stars, flanked by angular bracket of three stars to either side. Above and below are rows of 5 stars, followed by rows of 6 that line the top and bottom of the canton. The resulting configuration is what I have termed an “accordion medallion,” though “hourglass medallion” or “standing bow tie” would be perfectly acceptable. When rotated 90 degrees, to view the harder-to-identify, bow tie formation, students of early star patterns may note the visual similarity between this and what I call “Starburst” or “Crosshatch” medallions. The pattern, however, conspicuously lacks the crosses of St. Andrew (a saltire) and St. George (roman cross), that would allow it to be more accurately categorized as such. Entirely hand-sewn, the canton and stripes of the flag are made of fine silk. The hemming of this was accomplished with great skill. The top and bottom edges are selvedge. These are so similar in nature as to have come from the same maker. There is a white, silk binding along the hoist, in the form of an open sleeve, through which a length of braided hemp rope was passed, expertly looped and re-braided into itself at the top and bottom for strength. The stars are made of white, polished cotton. These were stitched to both sides (double-appliqued). Note how the edges of the fabric were not turned under, providing evidence of the fact that the maker was not especially skilled in appliqueing. This was common, as applique work was far more difficult than producing French seams. In the 19th century, most flags with pieced and sewn construction were 8 feet long and larger. A six-footer was considered small. Even military battle flags, carried on foot, measured 6’ x 6.5’, which translates into approximately 7’ x 7.5’ after framing, about the size of an average quilt and larger than can comfortably fit on a wall in a house with 8-foot ceilings and average width baseboard. Flags smaller than this were produced both commercially and at home, but the smaller they are, the more unusual they are. At just 26.5 x 46.5 inches, this flag is extremely small for a Civil war period flag with sewn construction. Silk was both beautiful and lightweight, which made it elegant for military unit colors and preferable for flags meant to be carried on foot. Most outdoor use flags...
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Antique 1860s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

West Point Pennant with Striking Colors and Graphics, ca 1940-1950
Located in York County, PA
WEST POINT PENNANT WITH STRIKING COLOR & GRAPHICS, WWII ERA - 1950's Triangular pennant, made for the United States Military Academy at West Point, with exceptional colors and graph...
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Mid-20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Felt

42 Star Antique American Parade Flag, Ca 1889-1890
Located in York County, PA
42 STARS ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH SCATTERED STAR POSITIONING, REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF WASHINGTON STATE, MONTANA, AND THE DAKOTAS, NEVER AN OFFICIAL STAR COUNT, circa 1889-18...
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Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

13 Star Antique American Flag, ca 1895-1926
Located in York County, PA
13 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A 3-2-3-2-3 CONFIGURATION OF STARS ON AN INDIGO CANTON, SQUARISH PROPORTIONS, AND A BEAUTIFUL OVERALL PRESENTATION, MADE circa 1895-1926 This 13 s...
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Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Wool

33 Star Flag with Stars in a "Great Star" Pattern, Oregon State, ca 1859-1861
Located in York County, PA
33 STARS IN A "GREAT STAR" PATTER ON A BRILLIANT, ROYAL BLUE CANTON, A RARE AND EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLE, PRE-CIVIL WAR THROUGH THE WAR'S OPENING YEAR, 1859-1861, OREGON STATEHOOD 33 s...
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Antique Mid-19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

44 Star Antique Parade Flag, Hourglass Formation, Wyoming Statehood ca 1890-1896
Located in York County, PA
44 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH AN HOURGLASS FORMATION ON A BRILLIANT BLUE CANTON; REFLECTS THE ERA WHEN WYOMING WAS THE MOST RECENT STATE TO JOIN THE UNION, 1890-1896 44 star Am...
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Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

36 Star Antique Parade Flag, Vertical Position, Nevada Statehood, ca 1861-1867
Located in York County, PA
36 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG, WITH STARS THAT ALTERNATE IN THEIR VERTICAL POSITION FROM COLUMN TO COLUMN AND ROW-TO-ROW, PRINTED ON AN ESPECIALLY INTERESTING LENGTH OF COARSE...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

34 Star Antique American Parade Flag, Kansas Statehood, ca 1861-1863
Located in York County, PA
34 STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH A LARGE, HALOED CENTER STAR; CIVIL WAR PERIOD, KANSAS STATEHOOD, 1861-1863 34 star American national pa...
Category

Antique 1860s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

Rare "I Was there" March on Washington Red Pennant, Dated August 28, 1963
Located in York County, PA
RARE FELT PENNANT FROM THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON, AUGUST 28, 1963, WHEN MARTIN LUTHER KING DELIVERED HIS HISTORIC "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH Printed in white pigment on scarlet red felt,...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Felt

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