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Political and Patriotic Memorabilia For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: Early 1900s
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

Large Vintage Valley Forge American Flag with 48 Stars c.1940-1950-FREE SHIPPING
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A large Valley Forge American flag made with 48 hand sewn stars and stripes. It is in good condition and has brass grommets to hang. CREATOR Valley Forge. DATE OF MAN...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

48 Star Antique American Flag, with Hand-Crocheted Stars, ca 1917-1918
Located in York County, PA
48 STARFISH-LIKE, NEEDLEWORK EXECUTED STARS ON A HAND-CROCHETED ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG FROM THE EARLIEST PART OF THE 48 STAR ERA, 1912-WWI (U.S. INVOLVEMENT 1917-18) OR EVEN PRIOR TO ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

Vintage Italian Flag c.1940 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original Italian flag with brass grommets to hang it. CREATOR American Flag and Banner Company, San Francisco. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.19...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

Monumental "Valley Forge" American Flag with 48 Stars, c.1940-1950 (FREE SHIP)
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 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

46-Star American Flag, Antique Printed on Silk, Early 20th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is an original 46-star American parade flag, printed on silk. Each star represents a state in the Union at the time. The official flag design would update every July 4th, to inc...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

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

Materials

Clay

Pair of Cast Iron George Washington Figural Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of cast iron George Washington Andirons: Measures: 9" x 20" x 16" Weighs: 30 LBS.
Category

Early 20th Century American American Classical Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

Antique 46 Star WMH Horstmann Company United States of America Flag 83"
By Horstmann
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique forty six star large wool American flag by Horstmann Company, circa 1908-1912. Horstmann firm was founded by William H. Horstmann (1785-1850), who had immigrated to Philadelphia from Germany. Horstmann bought out a local swordmaker in 1828 and thereafter entered the military goods field. The firm benefitted from the Civil War, becoming the largest military goods supplier in the nation by 1864. WILLIAM H. HORSTMANN & SONS, Manufacturers of Dress Trimmings and Military Goods. 5th & Cherry Streets, Philadelphia, PA. This house was founded, in 1815, by William H. Horstmann, a native of Cassel, in Germany. He had learned the trade of silk-weaving in France, and, emigrating to the United States in the above-mentioned year, established himself in Philadelphia as a manufacturer of fringe, laces and trimmings of various kinds. He married the daughter of Frederick Hoeckly, a German settler in Philadelphia, and also a manufacturer of fringe, coach-lace and tassels. He devised several improvements in this trade, especially by introducing varieties in the styles and patterns of this class of goods, there being at that time only two patterns used in the trade, which were known as the Jefferson pattern and the Monroe pattern. In 1824, he introduced into this country from Germany the use of plaiting or braiding machines, and about the same time he was the first to introduce into this country the use of the Jacquard loom, for weaving patterns in textile fabrics. His location was in the first instance at No. 50 North Third street, but within a short time he removed to a store next to the Harp and Crown tavern, afterwards known as the City hotel, and continued his business within a short distance of this point for many years. In 1828, he commenced the manufacture of military trimmings as a special department, and this branch has grown to most important proportions, Horstmann's military goods being in demand throughout time country. The firm have also executed large Government contracts in this line for the War and Navy Departments. In 1831, he established a branch house in New York city, and about the same time erected a factory at the corner of Germantown road and Columbia avenue. The factory was continued here until time erection of the extensive building at Fifth and Cherry streets, where the works, salesrooms and offices of time firm now are. This massive structure is six stories high, and extends 140 feet on Fifth street and 200 on Cherry street, and reaches back to Race street. The separate departments into which the business is divided are thirty in number. More than 1000 distinct looms and machines are in use in the building, many of them very costly and some invented and used exclusively by this firm, the motive power being supplied by a steam engine of fifty horse power. The area covered by the works is about 11,000 square feet. Time number of hands employed is very large, about 500. When the erection of a vast factory at this point was first proposed, a strong opposition was made by time holders of the neighboring property. The ancient German Lutheran Church and burying ground, since removed, stood opposite the site, and a bill was introduced into the Legislature to forbid the use of a steam engine within 100 yards of any place of worship. The interests which such a bill would have affected injuriously, especially those of several newspapers, roused a strong opposition to it, and it failed to become a law. In 1845, William H. Horstmann, the founder of the house, retired from the business, and his two sons, William and Sigmund, assumed the management and it was under their direction that the new building, above described, was erected. The goods produced by this house are of almost endless extent and variety. They include goods woven from all the various textile fibres—cotton, wool, silk, etc.—in every style, color and pattern, and are used for an infinite number of purposes. Narrow woven goods are time staple production, made up into material for dresses for both sexes, for use in daily life, and for regalia for ""societies;"" for the costumes of the stage, the upholstering of houses and of carriages, the uniforms of soldiers, together with equipments for the same, and for funeral purposes. The raw material used in the manufacture is to a great extent very costly, and their store rooms often hold as much as $200,000 worth of goods in an unworked state. There are two rooms devoted to power looms in the factory, one for coach lace and one for other styles of weaving, in which about 250 of these machines are constantly running. The braiding machines in the coach lace room are very noteworthy. The cord to be covered with braid is drawn through an opening in time middle of a flat, circular, metallic plate, about 15 inches across. Up to a point on this cord, about a foot above the plate, the threads of the braiding material converge, like the ribs of a tent-roof, and there weave in and out and out and in, as the coating of braid grows, and time covered cord rises and is wound away above. The weaving is accomplished by the motion of the spools below that carry the different threads of the braid. These spools stand in uprights, which are carried round and amongst each other in curved slots in the above-mentioned broad metallic plate. All but two of these spools run in and out among each other, with a swift, easy and intricate motion, mind so rapid that time eye can hardly follow it, while one or two special spools run steadily round and round among time twisting spools with the most extreme swiftness. Many other machines, displaying equally ingenious mechanism, are used in the factory. The various details of equipment manufactured and supplied by this house are also important, both for their number and the superior quality of the manufacture. The one article of swords may be taken as an instance. This trade grew naturally and immediately out of the established army and navy goods department of the works, it being necessary that the sword itself should be furnished together with the sword-belt and other trappings all complete. Every part of the sword and trappings, with the exception of the blade, is made on the premises. The blades are almost all imported from the ancient German sword-blade emporium of Solingen, where, it is said, swords have been made ever since the year 1147, when Count Adolphus of Berg brought home from the East and established there the business of forging Damascus blades. There is in this department a stock of some thousands of blades, of many different patterns and sizes, ready to be set and finished. Any style or sword can be had from this warehouse, from the plainest kind up to a presentation sword...
Category

1910s American Classical Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Wool

1912 Roosevelt Turkey Red Bandana, ca 1912
Located in York County, PA
Turkey red bandanna, made for the 1912 presidential campaign of teddy Roosevelt, when he ran on the independent, progressive party (bull moose) ticket Printed cotton kerchief, made for the 1912 presidential campaign of Theodore Roosevelt when he ran on the Progressive Party ticket (a.k.a., the Bull Moose campaign). This graphic textile, in a classic, western style, typical of the iconic red bandanna, is indicative of both the Republican Party in the late 19th century, and T.R.’s love of the American West. In this example, a geometric design with diamonds, surrounded by multiple, linear borders, is accompanied by the following text along the top and bottom that reads: “The Roosevelt Bandanna” and “Progressive Party,” respectively. A maker’s mark in the lower right corner reads “Cochranes Mfg. Co.” Cochrane’s was known for their long-lasting, red dye process, called “Cochrane’s Turkey Red.”. It was really a process, as opposed to a dye itself, to which the name applied. The dye was actually a derived from a synthetic colorant called “alizarin,” imported by Alexander Cochrane’s family, who emigrated to the United States from 1847, and owned a chemical company in Massachusetts that produced the dye. The fabrics were produced by the family of John Cochrane, who emigrated from Renfrewshire, Scotland in 1844. Both families, who resided in Malden, Massachusetts initially, traced their ancestry to Barrhead, Scotland, in the heart of the textile-producing region, near Glasgow and Paisley. It was in Glascow that Turkey Red printed bandannas are said to have originated, in the shop of Henry Monteith & Company, in 1802.* TR's decision to enter the 1912 election was not exactly popular among many of his friends and former supporters. His participation manifested into a unique political incident, in which the independent, Roosevelt, beat out a major party ticket, garnering 27.4% of the vote. At the same time, however, he lost the White House, not only for himself, but for his former Republican friends as well, by dividing support between his own candidacy and that of incumbent President William Howard Taft...
Category

1910s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

Early 20th Century Scottish Bagpiper's Bonnet on Stand
Located in Chicago, IL
A playful yet strong early 20th century Scottish bagpiper's bonnet with a woven wool checkerboard headband and decorated with a large black ostrich feather plume and a white feather hackle, mounted on a turned wood stand.
Category

Early 20th Century Scottish Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Wool, Feathers

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

Souvenir of the War 1914-15-16-17-18 Banner
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a stunning textile banner from the first World War, dating to 1918. The square tan cotton cloth is embroidered with two crossed flags, the ...
Category

1910s Australian Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

Early 20thc 48 Star Flag Hand Crochet Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine hand crochet 48 star flag pillow is made with a blue velvet background or frame front and back.The insert is down & feather fill.
Category

Early 20th Century American Adirondack Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Wool

46-Star American Flag Printed in Drum Star Configuration
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is an original 46-Star American parade flag, celebrating Oklahoma statehood. Each star on the flag's canton represents a state in the Union at the time. The official flag design would update every July 4th, to include any new states added to the Union in the past year. Oklahoma, the 46th state, entered the Union on November 16, 1907. As such, this 46–star flag was the official flag of the United States from July 4, 1908, until July 4, 1912. The silk flag has a dark blue canton with 46 white printed stars. The stars are printed in an 7-8-8-8-8-7 row configuration, or “Drum design.” The flag design is completed with 13 alternating red and white stripes, each stripe representing one of the original thirteen colonies. The land that comprises Oklahoma today was added to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Throughout the 19th century, the U.S. government relocated Indian tribes from the southeastern United States to the area, and by 1900, over 30 Indian tribes had been moved to what was originally called the Indian Territories. At the same time, ranchers in Texas began to move into the area in search of new pasture lands. Although stipulations in the Indian Relocation Act agreed that the land would forever be Indian Territory, the promise of fertile farmland trumped the government’s promise of sovereignty. On April 22, 1889, they opened the land to settlement by homesteaders, creating a land run in which settlers, called “Boomers,” were allowed to cross the Texas or Arkansas border at a particular hour to claim homesteads. Settlers who illegally crossed the border earlier to stake prime land were called “sooners,” which eventually became the state’s nickname. Wagons and the Santa Fe railroad carried cartloads of men and women to blank town sites and building plots, creating ten thousand-people communities in a matter of days. The following year, the region was further divided into Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory...
Category

1910s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

Early 20th c. Monumental Belgian Flag c.1940-1950-FREE SHIPPING
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original monumental Belgian flag. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1950. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Wool, Metal. CONDI...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

Antique Hand-Carved Hardwood Figural Confederate Soldier Styled Smoking Pipe
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This very well executed hand-carved smoking pipe is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from the United States and date to approximately 1920 and done in an American Craftsman style. The pipe stem is composed of vulcanite with a silver plated band. The pipe features asvery detailed and realistic carving of a Confederate soldier...
Category

Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Hardwood

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 ...
Category

Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

King Edward VII Coronation, June 1902 Framed Red Flag
Located in Hastings, GB
King Edward VII coronation, June 1902 framed scarf / flag. This scarf is an original antique piece of British history and patriotic memorabilia. ...
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

Suffragette Plate, "Deeds Not Words" & "Votes for Women", The Only Known Example
Located in York County, PA
ENGLISH PORCELAIN SUFFRAGETTE PLATE WITH "DEEDS, NOT WORDS" AND "VOTES FOR WOMEN" SLOGANS, ONE-OF-A-KIND AMONG KNOWN EXAMPLES, CA 1905-1918 English porcelain plate, made for the Wo...
Category

Early 20th Century English Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Porcelain

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

1910s Vintage 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

Antique 13-Star Patriotic Sash by Louis E. Stilz & Bros., Early 20th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an original patriotic sash from the early 20th century, featuring 13 stars against a bright blue field. This sash features appliqued silver stars on a blue canton, red a...
Category

Early 20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

Leather Fireman's Parade Belt
Located in York County, PA
Leather fireman's parade belt with the word "LIBERTY in white on a red ground, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, circa 1900 This fireman's parade belt is of the type produced during the latter part of the 19th century, between roughly 1870 and 1900. Made of leather, the body of the belt is black. In the center is a recessed window, with a fancifully scalloped edge, behind which a red leather panel, upon which the word "Liberty" appears in raised, white letters. There is a white binding, it's edge trimmed with pinking shears to create a decorative border. The metal buckle fits into an opposing leather strap, small in scale and riveted beneath the outer one. The words that appear on fireman's parade belts were customized, sometimes displaying the title of the wearer (i.e., "chief" or "clerk"), sometimes the name of the city or town, and sometimes the name of the station, as-is the case in this instance. Attributed to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania (Columbia County), I acquired it about 25 miles southwest, in adjacent Union County. Bloomsburg's first fire house, Friendship Fire Company, was established in 1868, shortly following the Civil War. Like most volunteer departments of that time, it was staffed by returning Union soldiers who volunteered, enjoying the comradery. Three more would follow, including Rescue Hose & Ladder (1870), Winona (1881), and Liberty Fire Company (1900). In the early 1990's the process was begun to modernize and consolidate all four stations into one. Liberty's fire house still stands on the 100 block of Leonard Street. Probably made in the year the Liberty Fire Company was established, for related parades and festivities, the great thing about this belt is the combination of the wonderful, early, painted surface and the terrific verbiage. While words such as "Clerk," "Bloomsburg," or "Rescue" would have limited appeal, the word "Liberty" opens the playing field to a nation-wide audience. Fire memorabilia...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Leather

20th Century Bronze Patine Plaque Portrait Patrie
Located in Sofia, BG
Medallion in bronze Patrie. The relief portrait has beautiful slightly brown patina. France, circa 1905
Category

Early 20th Century French Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Bronze

Patriotic Flag Quilt Old Glory
Located in Darnestown, MD
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...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

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

Brass

Antique Reverse Printed Commemorative Panel for Admiral Lord Nelson's Death
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed antique and reverse printed panel was produced in England in the early 20th century by an unknown maker to commemorate the death of Admiral Lord Nelson...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

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

1920s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

Red Cross Banner with Whimsical Lettering, ca 1917 - 1918
Located in York County, PA
EXCEPTIONAL RED CROSS BANNER WITH WHIMSICAL LETTERING AND A TERRIFIC SLOGAN, WWI (U.S. INVOLVEMENT 1917-18), ONE OF APPROXIMATELY THREE EXAMPLES PRESENTLY IDENTIFIED EXCEPTIONAL RE...
Category

Early 20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

Early California Republic Kerchief, Likely Made at the Panama-Pacific Expo 1915
Located in York County, PA
EARLY KERCHIEF IN THE FORM OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE BEAR FLAG, PROBABLY MADE FOR THE PANAMA-PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION IN SAN FRANCISCO IN 1915 Printed on silk, this beautiful ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

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

1910s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Felt

Graphic American Suffragette Poster Commissioned by the Empire State Campaign
Located in York County, PA
RARE & BOLDLY GRAPHIC AMERICAN SUFFRAGETTE POSTER, COMMISSIONED BY THE EMPIRE STATE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT’S GROUP, circa 1915 Extremely rare and boldly graphic Suf...
Category

1910s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

45-Star American Printed Parade Flag, 1896-1907
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This 45-star United States flag celebrates the statehood of Utah. 45-star flags served as the official American flag from 1896-1908. This particular flag was flown as a parade flag, ...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Fabric

Paper Suffrage Pennant with Bold and Whimsical Western Style Lettering, ca 1915
Located in York County, PA
Unusual paper suffrage pennant, with bold and whimsical, western style lettering, circa 1915 American Suffragette pennant, in a very rare format, with text that reads “Votes for Women,” in a combination of two bold, Western-style fonts. Made of golden yellow paper, with the lettering printed in black, the profile is an unusual one. Linear for approximately 2/5 of its length, the remainder tapers to a point. An example in this style is documented in "The Keynoter: Journal of the American Political Items Conservators," Summer/Fall/Winter 2008 (Women's Suffrage Special Triple Issue), Volume 2008, Number 2-4, p.133. This periodical is the best printed reference that presently exists on Suffrage objects. Golden yellow was the customary color of the suffrage movement in America, a tradition that began with the first actual campaign to give women the right to vote. This took place in 1867 in Kansas, the first state to hold a referendum on the issue when suffragists Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Stanton focused their efforts there and wore sunflowers—the state flower—in a show of support, as well as yellow ribbons. The flower was an appropriate emblem for a rising sun and growth, which led to its use in other states, and the color carried over to many other objects employed in the campaign for years to come. In England, green, white, and purple / violet were introduced in 1908 and became the colors of the movement, which gave way to a nice acronym for “Give Women the Vote.” Various groups used these colors also, in the States, sometimes substituting golden yellow for green. Mounting: The textile was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert staff. We take great care in the mounting and presentation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples. This is a pressure mount...
Category

1910s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

Early 20th c. Monumental Wool American Flag with 48 Stars, c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT This is an original wool monumental American flag with 48 hand sewn stars and metal grommets to hang it. CREATOR Sterling Bunting. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1950. M...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Fabric

"Votes for Women" Sash in Yellow and White, ca 1910-1915
Located in York County, PA
Silk suffragette sash ribbon in yellow & white with "votes for women" text, circa 1910-1915 Section of wide, silk, grosgrain ribbon, of the type often worn as a sash, in a deep, s...
Category

1910s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

Colorado State Flag, Made of Silk, Ca 1911-1920
Located in York County, PA
COLORADO STATE FLAG OF EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY, MADE OF SILK, CIRCA 1911-1920’s, EXTRAORDINARILY RARE IN THIS PERIOD AND THE EARLIEST EXAMPLE THAT I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED Early state flags are few and far between. While I am asked for them constantly, most states did not actually have official flags until the 20th century. On May 6th, 1911, Colorado became among the last to adopt a design. The project of doing so was spearheaded by the Denver Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The bill was introduced by Senator W.H. Sharply and adopted by the Eighteenth General Assembly. The artwork was the product of A.C. [Andrew Carlisle] Carson, President of the Ohio Society of Colorado. The meanings behind the elements in the design are as follows: The large letter "C" stands for Colorado and simultaneously for the Centennial State (Colorado entered the Union in 1876, the year in which our nation celebrated its 100th anniversary of independence), as well as the Columbine State (reflecting the state flower). The red color is included due to the fact that the word Colorado translates to scarlet or red in Spanish. The circle represents the sun, while the gold color symbolizes all-the-year sunshine, Colorado’s status as the greatest gold state, and one Columbine color. It was also included so that the Colorado state flag would have one more color than the U.S. flag. The color white reflects Colorado’s status as the greatest silver state, its eternal mountain snow, and one Columbine color. Lastly, the shade of Yale blue symbolizes all-the-year blue sky and one Columbine Color. Members of the D.A.R. were proud to note that this was also their color. Made sometime between the initial year of the adoption of this design and the 1920’s, this particular flag is the earliest Colorado example that I have ever encountered. The blue and white bars, red “C,” and golden circle are a’’ made of silk taffeta. This was a costly fabric, reserved for the best material a flag-maker produced. The flag is constructed in the manner of a battle flag, to be carried on foot. Squarish in its overall profile, silk was the fabric of choice for flags employed in this function, due to the fact that it was light weight, and thus practical for hand-carrying, while simultaneously formal in appearance, appropriate for the sort of ceremonial use that military presentation often demands. The style of the hoist is also typical for field or parade use. Here the fabric was rolled over to form an open sleeve, through which a wooden staff could be inserted. The sleeve is lined on the interior with black cotton. Leather tabs, at the top and bottom, fit over metal posts on the staff, designed to accept them, to fix the flag in its proper position. The bars were pieced and joined with lineal machine stitching. The hoist and fly ends were finished and hemmed by the same method. The devices are double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) with a machine buttonhole / blanket stitch. Though machines that produced buttonholes were, remarkably, available alongside the earliest standard machines, in the 1850’s and 60’s, the use of this sort of stitch in a running format, for appliqué work, remained highly unusual, even as late as the first half of the twentieth century, probably because it used a ton of thread when compared to the zigzag or satin stitch. It could be expected to appear more often in the hands of a maker of very fine flags, that employed embroidery machines and commissioned custom, fancy work of all sorts. Though unsigned—in no way uncommon in early examples, which were seldom signed—that is precisely the sort of firm that produced the Colorado flag...
Category

Early 20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

46 Star Antiques American Flag, Small Scale, Oklahoma Statehood, Ca 1907-1912
Located in York County, PA
46 star antique American flag in an exceptionally small scale among its pieced-and-sewn counterparts, reflects oklahoma statehood, circa 1907-1912: 46 star American national flag in a tiny and very rare scale among its counterparts of the period with pieced-and-sewn construction. The 46th state, Oklahoma, joined the Union on November 16th, 1907, during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency. Roosevelt had many friends in the Oklahoma Territory...
Category

Early 20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Wool

"Votes for Women: Suffrage Pennant ca 1912-1920
Located in York County, PA
American Suffrage movement pennant, with a standard, triangular taper. Made of yellow felt, with tapered letters that read simply: "Votes for Women," bo...
Category

Early 20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Felt

13 Hand-Embordered Stars Made by Great-Granddaughter of Betsy Ross, Sarah Wilson
Located in York County, PA
13 HAND-EMBROIDERED STARS AND EXPERTLY HAND-SEWN STRIPES ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG MADE IN PHILADELPHIA BY SARAH M. WILSON, GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER OF BETSY ROSS, SIGNED & DATED 1911: ...
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1910s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

48 Crocheted Stars on Graphic, Three-Dimensional Flag Made of Silk, ca 1917-1918
Located in York County, PA
48 crocheted stars on a very graphic, three-dimensional flag made from silk ribbon and crocheted rings, WWI Era (U.S. involvement 1917-18) Homemade, ha...
Category

Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

Violet & Yellow Suffragette Parade Banner, Ca 1910-1920
Located in York County, PA
Rare violet & yellow Suffragette parade banner, the plate example illustrated in the text reference on the subject, made ca 1910-1920. Hand-painted banners...
Category

Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

45-Star American Flag Printed on Muslin, 1896-1907
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This 45-star United States flag celebrates the statehood of Utah. 45-star flags served as the official American flag from 1896-1908. The flag is printed on muslin and was flown as a ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Muslin

Teddy Roosevelt and His Great White Fleet American Flag, ca 1907-1909
Located in York County, PA
Rare & Beautiful American Parade Flag With Images Of Teddy Roosevelt And His Great White Fleet, 1907-1909, Ex-richard Pierce Collection: 46 star parade ...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

Ironstone Suffragette Plate w/ Votes for Women Text, Made for Alva Belmont, 1914
Located in York County, PA
IRONSTONE PLATE WITH "VOTES FOR WOMEN" TEXT, MADE JOHN MADDOCK & SONS FOR SUFFRAGIST ALVA BELMONT FOR MARBLE HOUSE, HER FAMOUS ESTATE IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, CIRCA 1914: Porcelain objects related to the Suffrage movement are extremely scarce. The most celebrated of all American suffrage dinnerware consists of a service of white ironstone, commissioned by Alva Belmont,* prominent Newport, Rhode Island, socialite. Belmont was the founder of a pro-suffrage group called the Political Equality Association. According to Suffrage memorabilia expert Ken Folley, "There are at least eight different examples known in this design, including a cup and saucer, a lunch or dinner plate, a salad or bread plate, a berry bowl, a soup bowl, a celery dish...
Category

1910s English Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Porcelain

"Equal suffrage for Michigan in 1916" Advertising Fan for the Bissell Company
Located in York County, PA
"EQUAL SUFFRAGE FOR MICHIGAN IN 1916," ADVERTISING FAN FOR THE BISSELL 'CYCO BALL BEARING CARPET SWEEPER,' COMMISSIONED BY ANNA BISSELL (1846-1934), AMERICA'S FIRST FEMALE CEO Oriental-made, twill-woven silk fan with gilt lettering that reads : "Bissell's 'Cyco Ball Bearing Carpet Sweeper' makes sweeping easy," set within an interesting, open, geometric design. A purposefully curved, paper label beneath was applied by the "Michigan Equal Suffrage Association, Kalamazoo, 405 So. Burdick St.," whose byline is along the bottom. On it, a terrific message reads: "OVER 100,000 WOMEN pay taxes in Michigan on property assessed at $177,596,938. In 1910 OVER 175,000 MICHIGAN WOMEN signed a petition sent to Congress asking for Equal Suffrage. 247,373 MICHIGAN MEN voted...
Category

1910s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

Elongated Pennant Made for the 1912 Presidential Campaign of Roosevelt & Johnson
Located in York County, PA
ELONGATED PENNANT MADE FOR THE 1912 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT & HIRAM JOHNSON, WHEN THEY RAN ON THE INDEPENDENT, BULL MOOSE / PROGRESSIVE PARTY TICKET: Elongated,...
Category

1910s American Vintage Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

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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