American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

On offer is a late 19th-century American folk art "Goddess of Liberty" molded copper weathervane mounted on a gallery presentation stand. The figure represents Liberty (also historic...

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS PENNANT OF NOTABLE WEIGHT & QUALITY, IN THE OLD COLOR SCHEME, MADE DURING OR IN THE WAKE OF WWII Marine Corps pennant, made of heavy felt with a dark blue ground, with a flocked (Silvet-painted) device and lettering in harvest gold, with an applied, gold felt binding and blue felt ties. The colors used to represent the Marine Corps changed over time. Though the present combination of scarlet red and gold were formally adopted in 1925, American military traditions die hard, tending to be as difficult to extinguish as the men and women of their ranks. In this regard, the Corps was far from an exception. 14 years would, in fact, pass before the official change caught up with Marine Corps flags...

Presented is a rare and magnificent early printing of the Declaration of Independence on silk. The silk broadside was printed by stereotype by James Conner, in New York. Printed circ...

36 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG, WITH STARS THAT ALTERNATE IN THEIR VERTICAL POSITION FROM COLUMN TO COLUMN AND ROW-TO-ROW, PRINTED ON AN ESPECIALLY INTERESTING LENGTH OF COARSE...

Antique American 38 Star Flag, circa 1876, a printed one-side cotton parade flag bearing 38 stars, marking the admission of Colorado as the 38th state in 1876. The flag is structura...

Presented is a “G.O.P. Republican Party” souvenir handkerchief, decorated with elephants, a brief Republican party history, and a list of Republican presidents from Lincoln to Eisenh...

Rare and fabulous 19th century faux book with compass legs as legs. Mustard paint on the legs with Gilt on the pages of the leather bound book. Looks to be original tassle.. Possibly...

Presented here is a striking 20th century 13-star Bennington “76” style parade flag, modeled after the historic example preserved at the Bennington Museum in Vermont. This commemorat...

This is a beautiful 13-star American flag, each star sewn with zig-zag stitching. The wool flag was sewn at the turn of the century, circa 1900. The flag features 13 white stars rest...

Antique American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889, a printed cotton flag bearing 39 stars in the wavy star pattern. Never an official American flag, this configuration anticipated the admiss...

Monumental 50 star American Flag with antique Federal Eagle brass and wood pole. A patriotic piece suitable for any home. This set includes both ...

Presented is a rare Centennial patriotic flag banner, dating to 1876. The flag’s brilliant blue canton is spectacular, with 81 five-pointed, rayed stars, arranged to read “1776” and “1876.” The flag’s design is completed with thirteen alternating red and white stripes. The flag is a three-piece, treadle-sewn sewn construction, printed on a thin wool and cotton blend. Along the edge, there is a narrow, treadle-sewn sleeve made of cotton tape. In the lead up to the nation’s Centennial in 1876, flag makers and individuals looked to the past for designs to produce as part of the country’s many celebrations. Popular interpretation of the stars and stripes undoubtedly reached its climax of variety and originality at the time of our Nation’s first Centennial. Since no design restrictions were placed on flagmaker’s imaginations and no strict distinctions were drawn between official and unofficial star counts, it is no surprise that, on the occasion of the Centennial, creativity in flag design was not the exception, but the rule. The cantons from this period presented an array of geometric abstractions. Great star patterns, referred to as the “starry flower of Liberty” by Oliver Wendell Holmes, that were popular from 1818 and on, resurfaced in Centennial flags...

Presented is a vintage Chicago wooden ballot box dating to the early 1920s, an exceptional artifact of American civic life in the years immediately following the First World War. The...

Offered is a spectacular 34-star American flag, produced during the Civil War. This flag features 34 printed white stars, on a blue wool blend canton. The stars are arranged in whims...

13 STARS IN THE BETSY ROSS PATTERN, ON A VINTAGE AMERICAN FLAG, MADE BY THE ANNIN COMPANY OF NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY, circa 1955 - 1965 13 star American national flag, made entirely of cotton by the Annin Company of New York & New Jersey, in the period between approximately 1955-1965. The stars are arranged in the circular wreath pattern most often associated with Betsy Ross. Flags in this design are widely admired, due to the longstanding popularity of the Ross family myth. While many Americans were taught in grammar school that this was what our first flag looked like, there is, unfortunately, no way to substantiate the claim, and no colonial flags...

VINTAGE CALIFORNIA STATE "BEAR" FLAG OF STOUT CONSTRUCTION, AND WITH SIGNIFICANT GOLDEN BROWN OXIDATION THAT LENDS TO BEAUTIFUL PATINA AND CONVEYS ITS AGE; LATTER 1940’s - 1960’s Early state flags fall between very scarce and extraordinarily rare in the antiques marketplace. One primary reason for this is that most states, even if they existed during the 18th or 19th century, didn’t actually adopt flags until the early 20th century. The Maryland State Legislature, for example, didn’t find need for a state banner until 1904, in spite of the fact that Maryland was one of the original 13 colonies. Other states had crests or symbols that were tied to the state legislature in some way, or to local patriotism, but didn't accept an official design until many years following statehood. In the case of California, the "Bear Flag," as all California state flags and variations thereof are often called, is based on a significant early example. The eldest surviving Bear Flag is thought to date to the 1846 “Bear Flag Revolt”. This occurred when Major John Frémont arrived in the state on a so-called mission to reach the Pacific and encouraged an uprising against Mexican rule in the territory. Frémont claimed himself military governor of the California Republic and was brought up on charges of treason for his actions, but was pardoned by President James Polk. Polk was an expansionist and Frémont’s actions brought California to statehood in 1850, immediately following the 1849 Gold Rush. The original Bear Flag was designed and made by William L. Todd, a first cousin to Abraham Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd. Painted on cotton, it had a white field with a red stripe along the bottom, just like the modern design. The star image was taken from what was known as the “California Lone Star Flag”, flown during California's previous, 1836 revolt. Like the modern California flag, the red star appeared the upper hoist-end corner, but the bear was placed next to the star. On a later version, designed by a man named Peter Storm...

In all original untouched condition including weathered paint, this wonderful Folk Art wall plaque speaks for itself. Substantial size. It looks to be made to be mounted on a ledge, ...

VOTES FOR WOMEN PARADE TEXTILE IN GREEN, WHITE, & VIOLET, OF A TYPE WORN AS SASHES AND WAVED AS NARROW PARADE BANNERS, MADE IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT BY CALHOUN PRESS FOR THE WOMEN'S ...

NATIVE AMERICAN BEADED WATCH FOB WITH A STYLIZED FEDERAL EAGLE & SHIELD AND CROSSED AMERICAN FLAGS, circa 1915-1920’s Native American beaded pocket w...

This is a rare 31-star medallion printed American flag, celebrating the addition of California to the Union. The flag is printed on silk and has a spectacular “Great Star” canton pat...

19th Century American 42 Star Flag, circa 1889, printed on linen period flag in the "Dancing Star" pattern. This was never an official U.S. flag sanctioned b y congress, but was made...

This is an antique 36-star American flag, as striking as it is scarce. The flag has a glazed cotton construction, with a blue canton printed with 36 white stars. The stars are arrang...

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 ...

48 STARS CANTED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT IN DANCING ROWS, A RARE VARIETY OF ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG IN A LARGE SCALE, 1912-1918 OR PERHAPS EARLIER, REFLECTS ARIZONA & NEW MEXICO ST...

"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...

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. ...

Unique carved cane that chronicles the life and achievements of Thomas Jefferson. Among the carved words are "Thos. Jefferson of Va Born Apr 2,1743 Wa...

This is an original 48-star American flag, celebrating Arizona statehood. 48-star American flags had a fly date of 47 years, from July 4, 1912 to July 3, 1958. This flag is inscribed...

This Great framed Folk Art sham with 48star flag and ship ribbons is a great patriotic item. The top left corner as well as the bottom right corner are scraps of a 48 star linen flag and in between them are ribbons of ships names that are sewn together in a collage. The American ships span three centuries of ships ribbons, from late 19th century to present day ships. As well as the "USS Utah" which was sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor. This great and proud sham is not only a great American item but is a Symbol of hope and unity throughout the ages. Serves better as a hanging Folk Art...

48 STARS ON ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH HAND-WRITTEN INSCRIPTIONS AND AN EMBROIDERED DATE OF APRIL 12TH, 1945, MOURNING THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT: American national parade flag with 48 stars, printed on cotton, embellished with hand-written inscriptions and an embroidered date to commemorate the death of FDR on April 12th, 1945. “On this day in 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a massive cerebral hemorrhage at his Warm Springs, Georgia, retreat at the age of 63. Roosevelt’s death in the final months of World War II was met with shock and grief throughout the Western world. Many Americans had no inkling of his decline in health. [He] had been president for more than 12 years, longer than any other person. He led the country through some of its greatest domestic and foreign crises to the impending defeat of Nazi Germany and within sight of Japan’s surrender...

Folk art patriotic shield painting of John Adams, dating to around 1876 and of a large size measuring 41" x 34.5". It is an oil on canvas laid down to boards. There is writing on the back of the boards, but I cannot make out what it says. There is another similar piece to this that features another signer of the constitution in the Smithsonian collection. This piece came from a collection in Portsmouth...

13 STAR RIBBON, WOVEN SILK, circa 1876-1910 13 star antique American flag ribbon, made of woven silk, of the type encountered in military, political, and fraternal badges and ribbon...

48 STAR, U.S. NAVY SMALL BOAT ENSIGN, MADE AT MARE ISLAND, CALIFORNIA DURING WWII, SIGNED AND DATED 1944, IN THE SMALLEST SCALE EMPLOYED AT THE TIME 48 star American national flag, ...

Handmade and painted Uncle Sam in all original painted surface.We made a wood block stand for the carved Uncle Sam folky sign.

Presented is a Centennial-era patriotic textile, celebrating the Declaration of Independence. At the center of the printed bandana design is artistic rendering of the Declaration of ...

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 kerchief is styled in the format of the California State flag. Extremely rare, this is an unusual object and I am unaware of any other state flags that were produced in this manner. The most likely date is somewhere between roughly 1911 and 1920, though it could date slightly thereafter. The construction of this particular style of kerchief, with a border that is separated from the body by a fine line that is absent of horizontal threads, first appears in political campaign material in the 1888 election year. Various examples have been identified between that date and 1913, when a version was produced to celebrate the inauguration of Woodrow Wilson. None seem to have been made for the 1916 election, though other types appear with patriotic images during WWI (U.S. involvement 1917-18). Early state flags fall between very scarce and extraordinarily rare in the antiques marketplace. One primary reason for this is that most states, even if they existed during the 18th or 19th century, didn’t actually adopt flags until the early 20th century. The Maryland State Legislature, for example, didn’t find need for a state banner until 1904, in spite of the fact that Maryland was one of the original 13 colonies. Other states had crests or symbols that were tied to the state legislature in some way, or to local patriotism, but didn't accept an official design until many years following statehood. In the case of California, the "Bear Flag," as all California state flags and variations thereof are often called, is based on a significant early example. The eldest surviving Bear Flag is thought to date to the 1846 “Bear Flag Revolt”. This occurred when Major John Frémont arrived in the state on a so-called mission to reach the Pacific and encouraged an uprising against Mexican rule in the territory. Frémont claimed himself military governor of the California Republic and was brought up on charges of treason for his actions, but was pardoned by President James Polk. Polk was an expansionist and Frémont’s actions brought California to statehood in 1850, immediately following the 1849 Gold Rush. The original Bear Flag was designed and made by William L. Todd, a first cousin to Abraham Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd. Painted on cotton, it had a white field with a red stripe along the bottom, just like the modern design. The star image was taken from what was known as the “California Lone Star Flag”, flown during California's previous, 1836 revolt. Like the modern California flag, the red star appeared the upper hoist-end corner, but the bear was placed next to the star. On a later version, designed by a man named Peter Storm...

Presented is an original Benjamin Harrison campaign handkerchief, from the 1888 presidential election. Printed on white silk, this design features a waving 39-star American flag and ...

PORTRAIT STYLE KERCHIEF FROM THE 1952 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF REPUBLICAN IKE EISENHOWER, FORMER SUPREME COMMANDER OF ALLIED FORCES IN EUROPE DURING WWII (NATO) Printed cotton kerch...

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...

A delightful pair of 1928 campaign pitchers made for the Hoover–Smith presidential contest. Each pitcher is molded as a caricatured portrait: Herbert Hoover is rendered with a dramat...

Presented is an early signed photograph of George H. W. Bush, taken when he was Congressman. Bush served in the House of Representatives from 1967-1971, having been elected in 1966 a...

Pressed 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...

POWER SQUADRONS ENSIGN, MADE BY ANNIN IN NEW YORK CITY or NEW JERSEY, circa 1914-WWII ERA The Power Squadron of the Boston Yacht Club was formed in 1914. It was the first organizati...

Presented is a patriotic silk scarf, celebrating the Declaration of Independence. At center of the silk scarf design is artistic rendering of the Declaration of Independence. The famous text and signatures are printed in black ink on white silk. A border of bright red encloses the text, with a five-pointed white star set against a blue square appearing at each corner. This is a newly made silk scarf, printed to celebrate our Nation's foundational text. The United States Declaration of Independence...

33 STARS IN A DOUBLE-WREATH CONFIGURATION, ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG DATING IMMEDIATELY PRE-CIVIL WAR THROUGH THE WAR'S OPENING YEAR, REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF OREGON TO THE UNION, ...

Willy Mays San Francisco stadium souvenir with fabric attached.

Up for sale is a very rare original Obsolete antique U.S. Treasury Department Custodian Service Marshall 6 point star badge dating from the late 1920's to early 1930's This is a proh...

"ROOSEVELT & GARNER", AN EMBROIDERED ARMBAND SUPPORTING THE 1932 DEMOCRAT PRESIDENTIAL TICKET AND THE REPEAL OF PROHIBITION Made for the 1932 Democratic presidential Campaign ticke...

Pair of cast iron George Washington Andirons: Measures: 9" x 20" x 16" Weighs: 30 LBS.

AL Malaikah vintage Masonic Shriner iconic burgundy wool Fez hat with original box. Al Malaikah, legion of Honor vintage fez hat from the Los Angeles ...

Presented is an original patriotic sash from the late 19th century, featuring 13 stars against a bright blue field. This sash features appliqued silver stars on a blue canton, red an...

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...

The Second World War by Winston Churchill from Houghton-Mifflin Company, Boston. A vintage edition of Winston Churchill's six-volume memoir, The Second World War, for which he was a...

AL Malaikah vintage Masonic Shriner iconic burgundy wool Fez hat. Al Malaikah, legion of Honor vintage fez hat from the Los Angeles Al Malaikah Shrine...

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...

Presented is a finely executed vintage silk printed handkerchief featuring the music and lyrics of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” a beautiful example of American patriotic ephemera rend...

A rather odd hand painted political black leather Gladstone holdall, believed to be a graduate college bag. American in origins, second quarter of the 20th century in age 3...

Antique Historic World War I Era Rare Three Star Service Flag, circa 1917, a linen flag having three blue stars hand-stitched onto a white canton on a red field. A World War I flag h...

Intact helmet from Auxiliary Police Force measurements are approximate- contact dealer for specifics

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...