Extremely Rare Parade Flag With 36 Stars And An Eagle
View Similar Items
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
Extremely Rare Parade Flag With 36 Stars And An Eagle
About the Item
36 star American National parade flag, printed on cotton. In the center of the canton is a prominent eagle with a shield on its breast, arrows and olive branches in its talons, and banner in its beak that reads “E. Pluribus. Unum.” (out of many, one). A large, single wreath of 24 stars surround the image and a triangle of 3 stars flanks the basic pattern, one in each corner. A typical medallion pattern will have two or three consecutive wreaths of stars, with a single flanking star in each corner. Here the presence of the large eagle leaves room for only a single wreath, which required that more stars be incorporated outside its perimeter to achieve the desired star count.
Parade flags that incorporate large eagles as a prominent feature in their design are among the rarest of all printed flags. I have owned only five such examples, including this one, and am aware of ten in total that are known to have survived from the 19th century to the present. Six of these are in this same basic style, yet all of those six bear a star count of 35. This is the only known example with 36 stars, and, in addition, it is one of the two largest among them. One is nearly identical in scale, but the remainder are about half the size.
It is interesting to note that two of the 35-star examples have an inked, “Lincoln & Johnson” overprint, for use in the 1864 presidential campaign. Lincoln is known to have used both 35 and 36-star parade flags in the 1864 campaign and, given their rarity, it seems feasible to suggest that the examples with eagles, both with and without overprints, were made for Lincoln rallies.
The 36th state, Nevada, entered the Union during the Civil War on October 31st, 1864. The last Confederate general surrendered on May 26th, 1865. The 36 star flag became official on July 4th of that year, but makers of printed flags would have begun adding a 36th star to their flags in 1864, even before the addition of the new state occurred. Lincoln pushed Nevada through just 8 days before the November election. Nevada’s wealth in silver was attractive to a nation struggling with the debts of war and increased support for the Republican ticket. The 36 star flag was replaced by the 37 star flag in 1867, with the addition of Nebraska.
Mounting: The ripple-profile frame has a gilded liner and dates to the period between 1830 and 1860. The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which has been washed and treated to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is U.V. protective.
Condition: There is minor to moderate soiling, accompanied by minor fading and some fraying. There are tack holes along the hoist end, where the flag was formerly affixed to a wooden staff. The flag presents extremely well and its great rarity warrants any condition.
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1867-1867
- Condition:See Item Description.
- Seller Location:York County, PA
- Reference Number:Seller: 36j-8771stDibs: U1105098497395
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
61 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 10 hours
More From This SellerView All
- 36 Star Antique American Parade Flag, with Canted Stars, ca 1864-1867Located in York County, PA36 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH CANTED STARS IN DANCING ROWS, ON A BEAUTIFUL, CORNFLOWER BLUE CANTON; CIVIL WAR ERA, NEVADA STATEHOOD, 1864-1867 36 star antique American f...Category
Antique 1860s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
MaterialsCotton
Price Upon Request - 38 Star Parade Flag with Whimsical 6-Pointed Stars, Colorado StatehoodLocated in York County, PA38 WHIMSICAL STARS, WITH 6-POINTED PROFILES, SIMILAR TO THE STAR OF DAVID, ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG OF THE CENTENNIAL ERA; A REMARKABLE SPECIMEN, ONE-OF-A-KIND AMONG KNOWN EXAMPLE...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
MaterialsCotton
Price Upon Request - 1862 Civil War Playing Cards with Stars, Flag, Sheilds and EaglesLocated in York County, PA1862 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
MaterialsPaper
Price Upon Request - 38 Star Parade Flag with Stars in a Medallion Configuration, ca 1876-1889Located in York County, PA38 STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION WITH 2 OUTLIERS, ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH VIBRANT COLORATION, REFLECTS COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889, ILLUSTRATED IN “THE STARS & STRIPES: FABRIC OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT” by RICHARD PIERCE, 2005 38 star American parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. The stars are arranged in a triple-wreath form of the medallion configuration, with a single center star and two stars flanking outside the basic pattern, toward the fly end. Most circular medallion patterns of this sort exhibit four flanking stars beyond the consecutive wreaths, one in each corner. The inclusion of only two was intentional, allowing for the easy addition of two more stars. Flag-makers knew that more Western Territories were soon to be added and eagerly anticipated their arrival. Use of fewer than four outliers was popular in 38 star parade flags, but is rarely encountered in other star counts. Note how the vibrant, chromatic luster of the orange stripes provides striking contrast with the blue canton, and how this contributes to the flag's beautiful presentation. Many parade flags in this star count have red stripes that lean heavily toward orange. This was common across printed flags produced between the 1850's and the 38 star period, phasing out in the last decade of the 19th century. Colorado became the 38th state on August 1st, 1876. This was the year of our nation’s 100-year anniversary of independence. Per the Third Flag Act of 1818, stars were not officially added until the 4th of July following a state's addition. For this reason, 37 was the official star count for the American flag in 1876. Flag-making was a competitive venture, however, and few flag-makers would have been continuing to produce 37 star flags when their competitors were making 38’s. It is for this reason that 38 and 13 stars (to represent the original 13 colonies) are more often seen at the Centennial International Exposition, the six-month long World’s Fair held in Philadelphia in honor of the event. Some flag-makers would have been adding a star for the 38th state even before it entered the Union, in the early part of 1876 or even prior. In fact, many makers of parade flags were actually producing 39 star flags, in hopeful anticipation of the addition of two more Western Territories instead of one. But the 39th state would not join the Union for another 13 years, when the Dakota Territory entered as two states on the same day. The 38 star flag generally fell from use at that time, though it technically remained official until July 3rd, 1890. President Ulysses S. Grant was in office when the first 38 star flags would have appeared. The list of presidents serving during the period when the 38 star flag was actually official, include Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
MaterialsCotton
Price Upon Request - Pressed Brass Eagle, Parade Flag Holder and Bunting Tie Back, ca 1880-1895Located in York County, PAPressed brass eagle, an early parade flag holder & bunting tie-back, an especially attractive example, circa 1880-1895 Pressed brass eagles decorated the interiors of Civil War ve...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
MaterialsBrass
- Franco-American Textile with the Image of an Eagle Holding the American and FlagLocated in York County, PAFranco-American textile with the image of an eagle supporting knotted and draped american and French flags beneath four war planes; embroidered silk floss and metallic bullion thread...Category
Mid-20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
MaterialsSilk
You May Also Like
- Original Painted Metal Parade FlagLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis fun and folky 20thc original painted parade flag sign was used to hand in the windows during patriotic events. In stores and homes in the early 20thc.Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Adirondack Political and Patriotic Me...
MaterialsTin
$1,036 Sale Price20% Off - Antique Federal Eagle American 50 Star Flag with Brass Eagle Pole, 19th CenturyLocated in Oklahoma City, OKMonumental 50 star American Flag with antique Federal Eagle brass and wood pole. A patriotic piece suitable for any home. This set includes both ...Category
Antique 19th Century American Federal Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
MaterialsBrass, Bronze
$4,800 Sale Price20% Off - Early 20th c. Monumental American Flag with 48 Stars, c.1940-1950Located in San Francisco, CAABOUT 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
MaterialsFabric
- Early 20th C. Monumental American Flag with 48 Stars, c.1940-1950Located in San Francisco, CAAbout 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
MaterialsBrass
- 36-Star Printed American Flag, Rare Haloed Star Medallion, Circa 1865Located in Colorado Springs, COThis 36-star flag has stars arranged in a gorgeous and highly desirable medallion pattern. This particular medallion includes a large haloed star in the middle, two rings of stars s...Category
Antique 1860s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
MaterialsFabric
- Large Vintage Wool American Flag with 48 Stars c.1940-1950-FREE SHIPPINGLocated in San Francisco, CAABOUT 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
MaterialsBrass
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Presidential Flag
35 Star American Flag
Oliver Johnson
36 Star Flag
Parade Shield
Centennial Furniture
Liberty Ship
British Flag Art
Used Political Memorabilia
Framed Antique American Flag
Nation Makers
Flag Case
Union Jack In A Frame
Vintage Navy Flag
Political Art Democrats
American Flag Diamond
Naval Blue Prints
Black And White Stripes Dior