
30 Stars, Pre-civil War, Rare And Beautiful With A Medallion Con
View Similar Items
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
30 Stars, Pre-civil War, Rare And Beautiful With A Medallion Con
About the Item
30 star American national parade flag, printed on cotton, with a beautiful form of the medallion configuration that features a very large center star with a pinstriped halo around its perimeter and large flanking stars in each corner of the blue canton. Between these are two consecutive wreaths of stars in a third, considerably smaller size. Note attractive, persimmon red color of the stripes, which lends further appeal to this bold and whimsical design.
The 30th state, Wisconsin, joined the Union on May 29th, 1848. The 30 star flag was official until July 3rd, 1851, but 30 star flags would not likely have been made after the addition of California in 1850. This means that they had a realistic life span of about two years.
Flags made prior to the Civil War are generally rare, comprising less than one percent of 19th century flags that exist in the 21st century. This is partly because our flag was simply not used for most of the same purposes we employ it in today. Private individuals did not typically display the flag in their yards or on their porches. Parade flags did not often fly from carriages and horses. Places of business seldom hung flags in their windows. Use of the Stars and Stripes for these purposes rose swiftly following the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter that marked the outbreak of the Civil war, but civilian use of the flag was not widespread until the celebration of our Nation's 100-year anniversary in 1876.
Even the military did not use the flag in a manner that most people might think. Most people would be surprised to learn that the infantry wasn’t authorized to carry the Stars & Stripes until the 1830’s, and even then did not often exercise the right, because it was neither required nor customary. The primary purpose before the Mexican War (1846-48) was to mark ships on the open seas. While the flag was used to mark garrisons and government buildings, the flags of ground troops were often limited to the flag of their own regiment and a federal standard, which was a blue flag with an eagle serving as its central device under an arch of stars.
The most likely use of this flag was at a political rally, probably in 1848 when Zachary Taylor ran against Lewis Cass and Martin Van Buren to win the White House. The printing is similar to that on some 1844 campaign flags made for Henry Clay.
Although the maker that produced the flag is unknown, examples with this unusual center star exist in at least six other star counts including 31, 34, 35, 36, and 42. Two examples also exist with 13 stars. One dates to 1856 and was made for the presidential campaign of James Buchanan. Another style dates to the 1876 centennial era and all of its 13 stars have halos.
30 is the lowest count seen on printed parade flags with a haloed center. Because the parade flags first appeared in the 26 star period (1837-1845), this 30 star example is among the earliest of all known printed flags. In addition, unlike some other pre-Civil War star counts, very few varieties of 30 star printed flags have been discovered. I am aware of only two styles. In one of these two varieties, only a single example is known. I bought and sold this flag years ago and it is pictured in "The Stars & The Stripes: Fabric of the American Spirit" by J. Richard Pierce (2005), p. 15. I know of fewer than ten flags to exist with 30 stars in this haloed medallion style. So the total number of 30 star printed flags currently known may be fewer than ten and is certainly fewer than fifteen.
Mounting: The solid walnut molding dates to the period between 1850 and 1870 and has a gilded liner. The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which was washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye, which was heat-treated for the same purpose. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic.
Condition: The flag exhibits obvious signs of extended use. There are significant splits in the fabric, accompanied by moderate loss at the top, fly end corner. There are more minor areas of fabric loss throughout, accompanied by minor to moderate foxing and staining. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use. The great rarity of this example, accompanied by its early date, well-warrants the condition, particularly because its presentation is beautiful and endearing.
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1848-1850
- Condition:See Item Description.
- Seller Location:York County, PA
- Reference Number:Seller: 30j-8061stDibs: U1203168497545
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1991
1stDibs seller since 2008
69 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 to 2 days
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View All34 Stars in an Outstanding Oval Medallion Configuration, Civil War Period
Located in York County, PA
34 STARS IN AN OUTSTANDING OVAL MEDALLION CONFIGURATION, ON A NARROW CANTON THAT RESTS ON THE 6TH STRIPE, ON A HOMEMADE, ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD, ENTIRELY HAND-...
Category
Antique 1860s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
1862 Civil War Playing Cards with Stars, Flag, Sheilds and Eagles
Located in York County, PA
1862 Civil War playing cards with stars, flags, shields, & eagles, and face cards illustrating civil war officers and lady, Columbia, ca 1862, Benjamin Hitchcock, New York
1862 Civil War playing cards with suits represented by stars, flags, shields, & eagles, in lieu of the traditional French suits of hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades. The face cards feature Union Army officers and Lady Columbia [a.k.a. Lady Liberty, Goddess of Liberty]. Entitled “Union Playing Cards,” two versions of this deck were produced in New York by Benjamin W. Hitchcock’s “American Card Company.” This is the earlier of the two. The other was released in 1863.
There are 52 cards in total with the ace of spades doubling as the title card, as was often the case during the 19th century. The telescoping box...
Category
Antique 1860s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
Price Upon Request
34 TUMBLING STARS on an ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, 1861-63, KANSAS
Located in York County, PA
34 STARS WITH "DANCING" OR "TUMBLING" ORIENTATION, ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH EXTRAORDINARY COLORS, PRESS-DYED ON WOOL BUNTING, LIKELY PRODUCED FOR USE AS MILITARY CAMP COLORS,...
Category
Antique 1860s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
"Rally Freemen!..." Civil War Recruitment Broadside
Located in York County, PA
"RALLY FREEMEN! …COME ONE! COME ALL! AND SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR THE BEST COUNTRY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH." A CIVIL WAR RECRUITMENT BROADSIDE FOR THE...
Category
Antique 1860s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
Ohio State Parade Flag with a Civil War Veterans Overprint
Located in York County, PA
OHIO STATE FLAG WITH CIVIL WAR VETERANS' OVERPRINT FROM THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC POST IN COLUMBUS, MADE IN MOURNING OF THE 1925 PASSING OF NATIONAL G.A.R. COMMANDER IN CHIEF DANIEL M. HALL, WHO ALSO SERVED AS COMMANDER OF THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF THE G.A.R., AS WELL AS THE LOCAL CHAPTER
Flag of the State of Ohio, printed on oilcloth-like cotton, affixed to its original wooden staff. Made for Civil War veteran's use, the flag bears a stamped overprint in the striped field that consists of an open wreath of laurel branches, inside which is the following text: “GAR [Grand Army of the Republic] Post, Dan Hall, Columbus, OH”.
Born on October 20th, 1842, Daniel M. Hall enlisted with the Union Army as a Private at the age of 18 on August 25th, 1861. On October 8th of that year he mustered into the Co. H of the 2nd Ohio Cavalry. Discharged for disability on June 28th, 1862, he reenlisted approximately 17 months later, on November 11th, 1863, and mustered into Co. F of the 12th Ohio Cavalry at Camp Cleveland. He was at some point promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and, on February 21st, 1864, to the rank of Corporal. He mustered out at Nashville on November 14th, 1865.
Hall mustered into the Hamlin Post of the Ohio G.A.R. on May 23rd, 1883. He would go on to serve not only as Commander of the Dept. of Ohio for the organization, but as National Commander of the entire Grand Army of the Republic.
The Grand Army of the Republic was the primary veterans association for Union Civil War soldiers. Founded in 1866, its members dressed up in Civil War uniforms, attended parades and reunions, and the organization was somewhat more fraternal in nature than today’s VFW or American Foreign Legion.
Flags overprinted for the purpose of advertising are a specialized form in American flag collecting. A flag with a basic G.A.R. overprint is the most common type. This might be accompanied by a post number and a date. More elaborate the overprints are more highly desired, such as this one, which is the only variation I know of that honors a particular person who was not the namesake of the chapter itself.
It is of interest to note that a sister variety of 48 star parade flag is known, printed on the same fabric, that bears the same overprint, accompanied by the words: “We Mourn Our Comrade." From the additional text on the 48 star variety, one can extrapolate that the flags were made to mourn the passing of this important leader of Civil War veterans on October 19th, 1925, just one day before his 83rd birthday.
The State Flag of Ohio was designed in 1901 by Cleveland architect John Eisenmann, who designed the Ohio building for the state's exhibition at the Pan American Exposition World's Fair in Buffalo, New York. It was officially adopted by the Ohio legislature on May 19th, 1902. It's elements are centered on a red disc, set against a circular white ground that forms a letter "O." This simultaneously represents a buckeye, the fruit of the state tree and an iconic Ohio symbol. The flag's 5 stripes are said to represent the state's waterways and roads, while the triangular shape of the union is said to illustrate hills and valleys. The presentation of 13 stars along the hoist end, arranged in a semi-circular medallion with two off-set stars above and below, reflects the original 13 colonies. The diamond of stars, towards the fly end. bring the overall count to 17 to reflect Ohio's admission. When the design was adopted by the state legislature, the position of these stars was changed slightly, moving them further around the circle to form a wreath.
Flag expert Whitney Smith, who coined the term Vexillology in the late 1950's (the accepted term for the study of flags), pointed out that the format of the flag itself was reminiscent of Civil War cavalry guidons, carried by Ohio regiments throughout the state. These were of swallowtail form, though with 13 stripes, all horizontal and 90 degrees to the hoist. Most often these had circular star patterns around an open center, which makes them even more similar to the Ohio flag...
Category
Vintage 1920s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
U.S War Department Commissioning Pennant with 13 Stars
Located in York County, PA
EXTREMELY RARE U.S. WAR DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONING PENNANT WITH 13 STARS, A REVERSAL OF THE U.S. NAVY COLOR SCHEME, TWENTY-FOUR FEET ON THE FLY, SP...
Category
20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
Price Upon Request
You May Also Like
Patriotic Quilt Titled "Stars and Stripes" Forever
Located in Darnestown, MD
This fabulous 48 star Patriotic quilt has the embroidered title "Stars and Stripes Forever."
The stripes of the flag are created in an unusual way. Rather than using horizontal stri...
Category
Vintage 1920s American Quilts
Materials
Cotton
Rare Original Mid Century 1950s South Korea Korean War Taegeukgi Flag 48"
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare original vintage South Korean / Korean War era flag, circa 1950's. White cotton with screen printed design.
Dimensions:
48" x 34" (Length x Width)
Category
Mid-20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
$752 Sale Price
20% Off
Monumental "Valley Forge" American Flag with 48 Stars, c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
This is an original monumental American flag made by Valley Forge Co. with 48 stars and stripes and brass grommets.
Creator Valley Forge Co.
Date of manufacture c.1940-1950.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
Early 20th c. Monumental American Flag with 48 Stars, c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
This is an original monumental American flag made by Valley Forge Co. with 48 hand sewn stars and stripes. It is in good condition and has metal grommets to hang.
CREATO...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Fabric
Early 20th C. Monumental American Flag with 48 Stars, c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
This is an original monumental American flag made with 48 hand sewn stars and stripes. It is in good condition and has brass grommets to hang.
Creator unknown.
Date of m...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
Fight with National War Bonds Vintage British WWI Poster, Circa 1917-18
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a vintage British WWI Poster, urging viewers to "Fight with National War Bonds." The poster features a woman in classical robes, hosting a British flag in an outstretched hand, with an impassioned and urgent look on her face. The poster was printed in England by Hill, Siffkin, & Co, circa 1917-1918.
During WWII, England relied heavily on the willingness of its citizens to lend money...
Category
Vintage 1910s Posters
Materials
Paper
$1,720 Sale Price
20% Off