1850s Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

32 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG OF A TYPE KNOWN TO HAVE LIKELY SEEN MILITARY USE, REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF MINNESOTA TO THE UNION IN 1858, AN EXTREMELY RARE FLAG, ACCURATE FOR JUST 9 MONTHS AND OFFICIAL FOR ONLY ONE YEAR 32 star American flags are rare. This is largely because they were only official for one year (1858-59), but it is also a result of the fact that this time frame occurred prior to the Civil War, in an era when use of the Stars & Stripes on land in the private sector was very slim. Flags were becoming popular in political campaigning, but their use had yet to become widespread in the display of general patriotism. Minnesota joined the Union as the 32nd state on May 11th, 1858. Following the Flag Act of 1818, stars were officially added to the American flag on the 4th of July following a state's addition, for any states that entered during the previous “flag year.” The 32 star flag...

AMERICAN, PRE-CIVIL WAR, CAST IRON MEDALLION / PLAQUE WITH A FEDERAL EAGLE SUPERIMPOSED ON A SUNBURST, DATED 1857 Cast iron medallion / plaque of generous scale, approximately 18" i...

This small thirty-three star parade flag is printed on coarse cotton and is good condition considering the age. Newly framed. The flag measurements are 9 inches wide x 5.75 inches tall. The frame measures 12 inches x 15 inches. A great piece of American history. The thirty third star was added for the state of Oregon, which was admitted to the United States of America on February 14th, 1859. This flag was official from 1859-1861, and was thus still the flag flying over Ft. Sumter when it was fired upon on April 12th, 1861, marking the beginning of the Civil War. Because the 34th state, Kansas, had already acquired statehood on January 29th, 1861, flag makers knew that the 34 star flag would soon become official. According to flag experts, it is for this reason that 33 star flags were not produced in great quantity for the war, which would last until 1865, and the 33 can be considered to be more of a pre-Civil war flag...

This a finely executed engraving after the important early painting, Washington Crossing the Delaware, an oil-on-canvas by the German ...

31 STARS IN A 6-6-7-6-6 LINEAL PATTERN, WITH SCATTERED ORIENTATION, ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG, MADE OF SILK AND WITH THE BLUE CANTON RESTING ON THE WAR STRIPE, CAL...

Spectacular antique American flag with 31 stars arranged in the "Great star" pattern, its canton resting the war stripe, 1850-1858, California statehood 31 star American national ...

Two English 19th century police "nightsticks" or truncheons, the first in beautifully patinated ebonized ash, the second in turned mahogany, the later with a crown and "V.R." (Victor...

31 STARS IN A MEDALLION PATTERN ON AN ELONGATED, HOMEMADE FLAG WITH A VERTICALLY-ORIENTED CANTON AND EXCEPTIONAL FOLK QUALITIES, PRE-CIVIL WAR, CALIFORNIA STATEHOOD, 1850-1858 31 s...

This is a rare 31-star medallion American flag, celebrating the addition of California to the Union. The flag is printed on cotton, and has a spectacularly unique star pattern. A double medallion of dancing stars surrounds a large haloed inner star. The large medallion consists of sixteen stars; the inner medallion consists of ten stars. Four oversized stars can be found in each corner. This flag design is completed by thirteen alternating red and white stripes, which represent the 13 original colonies. With thirty-one printed stars, this flag commemorates California’s statehood...

33Stars, Medallion Configuration, pre-civil war through war period, 1859-1861 33 star American national parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. The stars are arranged in a double wreath pattern with a large center star and four flanking corner stars. Note how the arms of the stars have an exaggerated length and thus bear a very interesting folk quality. This is one of my favorite early parade examples because of the great visual impact in its design. The 33rd state, Oregon, entered the Union on February 14th, 1859. The 33 star flag...

American gilt carved wood Eagle with spread wings and talons grasping patriotic painted shield and gilt arrows. The number of stars 31 on the shield indicates eagle was made around S...

French 19th century paper and wood cut-out of Louis XIV. Le Roi Soleil