Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
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Political and Patriotic Memorabilia For Sale
Period: 1930s
Period: 1880s
Texas Centennial Exposition Pennant, ca 1936
Located in York County, PA
TEXAS CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION PENNANT, CELEBRATING 100-YEARS OF TEXAS INDEPENDENCE FROM MEXICO AND ITS ESTABLISHMENT AS AN INDEPENDENT NATION
While most states celebrate anniversaries of statehood, Texas and Hawaii are the only two that previously existed as independent nations. Spain claimed ownership of a significant portion of modern-day Texas in 1519, as an extension of Mexico. France claimed ownership for a 5-year period, from 1685-1690, returning to Spanish rule thereafter. In 1821, Mexico declared its independence, taking Texas with it, maintaining control until 1836, when it became the Republic of Texas, declaring its own independence, following the Texas Revolution...
Category
1930s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Felt
Pair 19th Century Victorian Eastlake Free Mason Throne Chairs w/ Symbolism
Located in Savannah, GA
Victorian Eastlake large upholstered solid oak throne chairs from Masonic Lodge with lots of detailed carving. The pair consists of one with the plumb bob sy...
Category
1880s American Eastlake Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Velvet, Oak
41-Star Printed Flag Waver, Celebrating Montana Statehood, 1889
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a very rare, 41-star flag waver celebrating Montana statehood. The flag is printed on linen and dates to 1889. The dark blue canton is printed with forty one stars in nine rows of alternating counts of five and four stars. Thirteen red and white stripes complete the flag’s design.
The history of Montana statehood is a long one. Numerous Native American tribes originally inhabited the Montana Territory. Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the members of their expedition were the first explorers to document a journey through Montana and the lands of the Louisiana Purchase. Soon, forts were established to facilitate regular fur trading with Native American tribes. Missionaries and trailblazers followed.
The discovery of gold in the early 1860s sped the creation of the Montana Territory. As settlers and gold prospectors entered Montana in the 1860s and 1870s, conflicts with the Native Americans arose. Perhaps the most famous clash between Native Americans and the United States military occurred in Montana on June 25, 1876. On that day, Sioux and Cheyenne defeated Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer‘s 7th United States Cavalry regiment at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. A year later, Nez Percé Chief Joseph surrendered in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana. Lured by copper in the 1880s, mining brought even more settlers to Montana. Rich grazing lands for cattle and sheep attracted other pioneers.
Each of the states in America, with the exception of the original thirteen, Texas, and California, was first organized as a territory before achieving admittance to the Union as a state. Originating with the Ordinances of 1785 and 1787, the territorial system provided the expanding U.S. with a method to govern frontier areas until they gained sufficient population and economic maturity to qualify for statehood. Not surprisingly, residents of frontier territories usually demanded quick admission to statehood so they could gain full control of their local governments. Montana was a territory for 25 years – from the creation of Montana Territory in 1864 until the territory was admitted to statehood in 1889.
On November 2, 1889, North and South Dakota were added to the Union as the 39th and 40th states, the first time in history that two states were admitted on the same day. Montana became the 41st state on November 8, predating Washington, the 42nd state, by only three days. Flag makers were not in the business of making out-of-date flags. As a result of these rapid changes in the number of states, only a small number of 41-star flags or commemorative items were ever produced, thereby making any 41-star flag exceedingly rare.
CONDITION:
Good condition. This flag is printed, with a hemmed headband and fly end in a running stitch...
Category
1880s American Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Linen
1889 North Dakota 39 Star United States of America Statehood Flag
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
39 star silk statehood flag. 23 1/2" x 15". Was the unofficial North Dakota Flag. As South Dakota was also admitted as the 40th state on the same day this...
Category
1880s American Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
39-Star Antique American Flag with 'Whimsical' Star Pattern, 1889
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
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...
Category
1880s American Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Mr. Dooley at His Best, by Finley Peter Dunne Edited by Elmer Ellis
Located in valatie, NY
Mr. Dooley at His Best. Edited by Elmer Ellis at the University of Missouri. With a Foreword by Franklin P. Adams. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1938. First edition, 1st printing, one of 520 copies with one page of the author's original manuscript. Frontispiece portrait. 291 pp. Buckram and decorated boards with a leather label. Finley Peter Dunne (1867- 1936) was an American humorist and writer from Chicago. In 1898 Dunne published Mr. Dooley in Peace and in War, a collection of his nationally syndicated Mr. Dooley sketches. Speaking with the thick verbiage and accent of an Irish immigrant from County Roscommon, the fictional Mr. Dooley expounded upon political and social issues of the day from his South Side Chicago Irish pub...
Category
1930s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
"Roosevelt & Garner" Embroidered Armband Supporting the 1932 Democratic Ticket
Located in York County, PA
"ROOSEVELT & GARNER", AN EMBROIDERED ARMBAND SUPPORTING THE 1932 DEMOCRAT PRESIDENTIAL TICKET AND THE REPEAL OF PROHIBITION
Made for the 1932 Democratic presidential Campaign ticke...
Category
1930s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Bronze Eagle Bookends Signed and Dated, 1931
By Eagle & Young
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing and heavy bronze bookends signed and dated Eagle & Young, 1931. These bookends are in very good condition.
Category
1930s American American Classical Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Bronze
13 Star American Parade Flag with Rare Design, Ca 1888 Ex Richard Pierce
Located in York County, PA
13 Star American parade flag in an extremely rare design, with “protection to home industries” slogan on a fanciful, scrolling streamer, made for the 1888 presidential campaign of Benjamin Harrison; formerly in the collection of Richard pierce.
1888 Benjamin Harrison campaign flag, printed on cotton, with 13 large stars in a 3-2-3-2-3 pattern, upon which a whimsical, scrolling streamer is superimposed that features the slogan: “Protection to Home Industries.”
There are numerous styles of both documented and undocumented, red, white, and blue bandanas and handkerchiefs, made for Harrison’s campaign in this year, as well as from the subsequent one, in 1892. Most bear variations of text to support the “Protection for American Industries” platform of the Republican Party. America was in the midst of the industrial age and there was a great deal of public interest, both in protecting growth and discouraging both imported goods and immigration. The constant stream of immigrants posed great challenges for a working families, competing for scarce jobs, in work environments that were already often far from ideal. In post-Civil War America, many of the working men were Civil War veterans.
Bandanas abound from Harrison’s Campaigns, but flags do not. This example, along with three others, were once part of an 1888 patriotic quilt that was disassembled by a dealer and sold piecemeal to collectors. I eventually acquired all four. Fifteen to twenty years ago, these were the only four known copies. A couple of others have since surfaced, but the total count known still stands closer to 5 than 10.
The use of 13 stars is seen in the flags of various candidates in the 19th century. Among these are Abraham Lincoln (1860 campaign), Henry Clay (1844 campaign), John Fremont (1856), and Benjamin Harrison’s grandfather, William Henry Harrison...
Category
1880s American Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Interwar Period Italian Blue Silk Handkerchief With Airplanes, circa 1930s
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a printed silk handkerchief from the interwar period, with an Italian aviation theme. This handkerchief features four early aircraft plane models, two of which are seaplanes. The inner field of the handkerchief is pale blue and contained by a black three-line waving border. The outer field is medium blue, with a darker blue at each corner. A white and black fasces rests in each corner. The center of the silk features a golden spread-wing eagle. Above the eagle’s head floats a gold crown. The eagle’s talons grip a shield printed with the Savoy arms, a white cross on a red field. Two gold fasces adorn either side of the shield.
In most historical accounts of the early days of military aviation, our reverence for the activities of the American Expeditionary Force and its French and British companions-in-arms on the western front has led us to overlook the immense Italian contribution to the formation of airpower doctrine. The first aerial force projection occurred on Nov. 1, 1911, when Lt. Giulio Gravotta, flying a German-built monoplane, dropped one bomb on Zard and another on Taciura -- in Libya -- during the Italian-Turkish War. This event occurred just a little more than a year after the first flight of an Italian-designed and built aircraft.
At about the same time, Gianni Caproni, a young Italian engineer with a passion for innovation and a vast admiration for the Wright brothers, built his first flying machine. By May 23, 1915, the day Italy entered World War I, Caproni had become Italy's leading aircraft designer and manufacturer. Caprooni designed and built a multi-engine bomber with range and bomb capacities to make it a potent offensive weapon. On Aug. 20, 1915, two of these Caproni three-engine bombers attacked the Aisovizza aerodrome with explosive and incendiary bombs, a preview of the most sustained, effective air offensive of the First World War. By early 1916, regular raids against Austro-Hungarian targets were being conducted by seven squadrons of Caproni bombers, with some 540 bombing missions flown by the year's end. Missions were on the increase, both in distance to targets and number of aircraft involved.
In late 1917, due to the lack of suitable training facilities in the United States, a contingent of some 500 Americans were sent to Foggia, Italy, to learn military flying. After completing their training, the new pilots were commissioned in the Army Air Service, and the majority of them were sent to France to serve with the American Expeditionary Force. About 75 remained in Italy under the command of Capt. Fiorello LaGuardia...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
Franklin D. Roosevelt 1936 Campaign Poster: "The Man with a Heart..."
Located in York County, PA
“THE MAN WITH A HEART, THE PARTY WITH A SOUL”: FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT POSTER, MADE FOR HIS 1936 PRESIDENTIAL RUN, THE BEST OF ALL KNOWN EXAMPLES ACROS...
Category
1930s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
41 Stars In a Lineal Pattern With Offset Stars, Montana Statehood American Flag
Located in York County, PA
41 STARS IN A LINEAL PATTERN WITH OFFSET STARS THAT CREATE A CROSSHATCH IN THE CORNERS AND CENTER, ONE OF THE RAREST STAR COUNTS AMONG SURVIVING FLAGS OF THE 19TH CENTURY, REFLECTS MONTANA STATEHOOD IN NOVEMBER, 1889, ACCURATE FOR JUST 3 DAYS:
Numerous flags appeared with unofficial star counts in early America, produced by flag-makers in anticipation of the addition of more states. The 41 star flag...
Category
1880s American Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
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British Soldier's Woolwork or Woolie, 19h Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an exceptional example of a 19th century British soldier's "Woolie" or woolwork that is signed "G.W. Whitby/India. The woolwork depicts the ...
Category
Early 19th Century English British Colonial Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
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1868 Map of the Upper Part of the Island of Manhattan Above 86th Street
Located in San Francisco, CA
This wonderful piece of New York City history is over 150 years old. It depicts 86th street and above. It was lithographed by WC Rogers and company. It was made to show what was the Battle of Harlem during the Revolutionary war...
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Large Framed American Flag Folk Art Quilt
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Nicely faded American flag quilt. Excellent hand stitched dancing Folk Art stars. Skilled quilting, a nice graphic large-scale wall hanging. White ...
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Dutch WWII Caricatures of Hitler, Göring, Stalin, Rooseveld, and Churchill
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A very remarkable collection of Folk Art caricatures made of Dutch ration 'food stamps.'
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H 19.69 in W 12.6 in D 0.79 in
Barons Delaware Boston Joined Chest of Drawers, US American Colonial
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H 48.82 in W 48.04 in D 27.96 in
English Painted Wood Dummy Board Depicting a Royal Navy Lieutenant
Located in Southampton, NY
English painted wood dummy board depicting a royal navy lieutenant.
Inscribed 'Made in England' on the reverse.
Measures: 41" high x 21" wide x 9" deep
...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
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Large Early 20th Century Brass Eagle on Branch Standing Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic large brass sculpture of an eagle with the wings spread on a tree branch. This full body eagle and branch has a wonderful worn patina....
Category
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
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Antique Hand-Carved Meerschaum Smoking Pipe of Napoleon Bonaparte & Case
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique well executed hand-carved meerschaum pipe was made by the Drown Pipe company of Vienna Austria and dates to approximately 1900 and done in a Renasissance Revival style. ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Renaissance Revival Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
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Clay
"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
1860s American Antique 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
1920s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
34-Star Civil War American Flag, Antique Great Star Pattern, circa 1861
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
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...
Category
1860s American Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Linen
Large Vintage Wool American Flag with 48 Stars c.1940-1950-FREE SHIPPING
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A large wool 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 MANUFACTURE c.19...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
H 117 in W 57.5 in D 0.125 in
Previously Available Items
41-Star American Printed Flag, Celebrating Montana Statehood, 1889
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a very rare and attractively-sized 41-star flag waver, celebrating Montana statehood. The flag is printed on linen and dates to 1889. The blue canton is printed with 41 stars, arranged in 9 rows of alternating counts of 5 and 4 stars. The flag's design ins completed with 13 alternating red and white stripes.
On November 2, 1889, North and South Dakota were added to the Union as the 39th and 40th states, the first time in history that two states were admitted on the same day. Six days later, Montana became the 41st state on November 8. Montana's admission as a state predated Washington, the 42nd state, by only three days. Flag makers were not in the business of making out-of-date flags. As a result of these rapid changes in the number of states, only a small number of 41-star flags or commemorative items were ever produced, thereby making any 41-star flag exceedingly rare.
The history of Montana statehood is a long one. Numerous Native American tribes originally inhabited the Montana Territory. Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the members of their expedition were the first explorers to document a journey through Montana and the lands of the Louisiana Purchase. Soon, forts were established to facilitate regular fur trading...
Category
1880s American Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Linen
American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889, a period silk made in the "Dancing Star" pattern, where the stars are oriented at an alternating upright and slanted angle (prior to being standardized by Congress). The 39 star flag was never an official American flag sanctioned by Congress, but was made by states to celebrate the two Dakotas admission into the Union in 1889.
The flag is in very good condition, with only a few very small stains, just sufficient to call attention to the age of this flag. Conservation mounted on fabric backing in a tiger maple frame...
Category
1880s American Federal Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
Antique Small Travel Trunk Belonged to Italian Secretary of State Beverini
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
This small trunk bears witness to an important part of Italian history. A handwritten cartil certifies its belonging to an Italian senator and foreign minister Giovanni Battista Beverini born 10 July 1872 and died 28 November 1944. Beverini was an Italian diplomat and politician. He was appointed senator of the Kingdom of Italy in 1933. His career as a foreign diplomat for the Italian State led him to travel a lot for work and this small trunk accompanied him on his travels. Some labels on the trunk certify his voyages, and of particular curiosity the label of the ship "Virgilio". This transatlantic ship was inaugurated on April 24, 1928 in the following years it made several trips for the transport of goods and passengers along routes: departing from Genoa to the Pacific coasts of America. From 1932 he served scheduled service from Genoa Italy - Valparaiso Chile...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Poplar
H 14.18 in W 13 in D 13.39 in
39-Star Patriotic Silk Flag, circa 1876-1888
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a 39-star unofficial American flag, printed on silk. The flag dates between 1877 and 1889, showcasing a whimsical star pattern in the canton. The flag's canton boasts a 6/7/7/6/7/6 row pattern of white stars printed on a dark blue ground. Thirteen red and white stripes, to represent the 13 original states in the Union, complete the design.
An official flag with only 39 stars was never approved by Congress. Flagmakers often gambled on how many states would be admitted each year and would produce flags with the number of stars they predicted would be approved that session. These flagmakers assumed the Dakota Territory would be the only new state admitted that year and printed a flag with just one more star than the last. Unfortunately for the company, not only was the territory split into North and South Dakota, but three other states were also added to the new design by the time Congress voted on July 4, 1890. As a result, this 39-star flag is considered “unofficial,” giving the patriotic piece an interesting and unique history.
CONDITION:
Very good condition. Silk flag...
Category
1880s American Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889, a period silk made in the "Dancing Star" pattern, where the stars are oriented at an alternating upright and sl...
Category
1880s American Other Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Linen
"Washington Bicentennial 1732-1932" Parade Flag, Printed, circa 1930
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a George Washington Bicentennial parade flag from 1932. The flag is printed with blue, white, and red stripes, with a prominent bust portrait of George Washington at cen...
Category
1930s Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
"Washington Bicentennial 1732-1932" Parade Flag, Printed Gold and Blue, 1930
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a George Washington Bicentennial parade flag from 1932. The flag is printed with gold, white, and blue stripes, with a prominent bust portrait of George Washington at center. The words “Washington Bicentennial” and the dates “1732-1932" are printed in blue above and below the portrait. The flag is attached to its original stick, with a painted gold finial at top. This flag would have been used during a parade or similarly festive event celebrating the 200 year anniversary of George Washington’s birth.
The bicentennial of Washington’s birth in February, 1932, was an occasion celebrated throughout the United States. In anticipation of the two hundred year anniversary, President Coolidge established the official George Washington Bicentennial Commission in December of 1924. Throughout the next seven years, the Commission organized numerous projects, programs and celebrations to commemorate the historic date, and encouraged communities and civic organizations throughout the United States to do so as well.
The holiday was an “opportunity to reacquaint Americans with their country’s aspirations and principles of government, separate the man from the myth with educational materials about his life and accomplishments, inspire patriotism and have some fun” (Baskin). The excitement by which Americans lauded Washington was evident in the sheer scale of the celebration. Records indicate that there were “4,760,345 individual bicentennial programs held by churches, schools, civic bodies, fraternal orders and more” (Baskin). Although the celebrations took place during the Great Depression, lavish and elaborate events were still planned. Grand parades and birthday balls were held across the country, many of which played colonial music and required dress in historic costume.
There were also numerous educational components to the nine-month-long celebration. Theaters throughout the country showed an informative film, “Washington: The Man and the Capitol,” to educate Americans about the first president’s leadership. Students studied materials provided by the “Education Division” of the Bicentennial Commission, which were distributed nationwide to schools for free. The literature’s aim was to educate, as well as debunk overly flattering myths about the president. The Commission presented Washington not only as a great leader but also as a fallible man, persevering through moments of self-doubt and uncertainty.
As expected, the nation was swept up in a surge of patriotism and “George Washington fever,” which inspired printers, publishers, and manufacturers to produce as much Washington-related material as possible. New biographies exploring all aspects of Washington’s life were published. Inexpensive engravings and lithographs depicting George Washington were printed and sold to the public. And small printed flags and hand-held fans were made to wave during public parades and celebrations.
Condition:
Very good condition. Printed flag. Flag is hemmed with a white thread, in a running stitch. Flag attached to stick with two nails. Light discoloration of fabric at nail heads. Original gold finial at top of stick. Dimensions: 4" H x 5 1/2" W (flag), 12 1/2" H (stick).
Presented mounted to a dark navy archival fabric. Flag’s stick...
Category
1930s Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
H 15.75 in W 10.75 in D 1.25 in
Golden Gate Bridge Inaugural Eight-Foot-Tall Banner, 1937
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wonderful and rare eight-foot-tall fabric banner celebrating the 1937 inaugural grand opening of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.
Top panel with “Welcome Visitors / Golden Gate Bridge ..1937..” and an illustration of the bridge in royal blue on a butter yellow ground that calls to mind a classic Golden State Warriors...
Category
1930s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Fabric
Unusual Hand Carved Wooden Arm, Flag Holder with Flag, Veterans Facility
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual hand carved wooden arm, flag holder with flag, wall mounted, beautifully hand carved, sculptural mans arm / hand, Salvaged from Veterans Lodge outs...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Fabric, Wood
13-Star American Flag, Handcut Medallion Pattern, Signed by Maker, 1884
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a bright 13-star handcut American Flag, signed by J.L. Wakefield from Preston, Ohio and dated November 10, 1884. This flag's canton features the highly sought-after meda...
Category
1880s American Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Rare South African Folk Art Carved Storyboard Panel, circa 1930s
Located in Peabody, MA
A rare relief carved and pigmented wooden storyboard panel detailing events of the late 19th and early 20th century related to South Africa’s Zulu history and the Boer Wars. Atop this folk art panel, dated 1937, is a depiction of two heroes of the Transvaal, Paul Kruger...
Category
1930s South African Folk Art Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wood
"The Signing" by Howard Chandler Christy, Vintage Poster, Signed by Christy 1937
By Howard Chandler Christy
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a signed lithographic poster entitled “The Signing” by Howard Chandler Christy. “The Signing” is an allegorical rendering of the signing of the Constitution of the United States and our nation’s history and progress in the 150 years since the signing. Howard Chandler Christy signed and inscribed the poster in the bottom right corner.
In 1936, representative Sol Bloom, the director general of the United States Constitution Sesquicentennial Commission, proposed that a painting be commissioned as part of the 150th anniversary of the Constitution. Howard Chandler Christy created three iterations of paintings for the Sesquicentennial Commission. Christy painted the first painting, “We the People,” in 1936. A year later, Christy painted a second painting titled “The Signing.” After two more years of congressional debate, Christy was finally commissioned in 1939 to create his final painting, a 20-by-30-foot framed oil-on-canvas scene of the signing, currently on display in the east grand stairway of the House wing of the U.S. Capitol.
The 1937 painting was issued as a commemorative lithographic poster by the United States Constitutional Sesquicentennial Commission, as presented here. The poster and the original 7’ x 5’ oil canvas were first exhibited in December 1937 at the Grand Central Fifth Avenue Galleries. At the exhibit opening Christy explained, “I wanted the painting to be accurate in every detail because I feel deeply the meaning the Constitution holds for every American.” A 1937 order form listing items that could be purchased for the upcoming Sesquicentennial indicates that this particular “Official Poster” came in three different sizes- Small 12” x 14-1/2”, Medium 24” x 27”, and Large 42” x 38” and originally sold via mail order for 5¢, 10¢ & 25¢ cents respectively.
“The Signing” is an artistic representation of the signing of the Constitution of the United States with strong allegorical references to core American values and renderings of our 150 year history since its inception. The bottom two thirds of the image depict the signing of the Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. George Washington is the most prominent figure; he stands on the platform next to Richard Spaight of North Carolina, who is signing the document. Benjamin Franklin is seated at center, with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison nearby. The other delegates populate the room, depicted in stirring conversation with each other.
The top of the composition is filled with allegorical renderings. At center is a shining Lady Liberty standing with open arms and a golden scroll of “We the People” unfurling below her. At right, is a female personification of Blind Justice...
Category
1930s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
H 32 in W 29 in D 2 in
Antique and Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Memorabilia from historical events hold endless value, with every piece telling a story. Antique and vintage political and patriotic memorabilia express pride and heritage and include campaign posters, banners and recruitment advertisements.
World War II posters bring history to life. They celebrate the heroes who fought for their country, as do buttons, flags and banners from this era. Beyond the initial goals of political campaign memorabilia — which served to prominently position candidates in front of voters and amplify a candidate’s platform — vintage campaign prints, posters, buttons and more are interesting relics of another time and place. And like a lot of folk art, these items are imbued with narrative and make for colorful and meaningful additions to shelves and walls.
Find a range of international patriotic items on 1stDibs — banners from the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II are available, as are nesting dolls of the Russian royal family from the 1900s. Each item is a rare treasure, and historic finds like these add meaning to a space. Items promoting women’s right to vote inspire hope. Letters signed by presidents are treasured by admirers.
The range of these works on 1stDibs includes European and American campaign buttons, textiles and flags (and other works in fabric), uniforms and hats. Each piece of antique and vintage political and patriotic memorabilia is a slice of history, making for a unique gift or collector’s item.
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