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Period: Early 20th Century
46-Star Printed American Flag Waver, Celebrating Oklahoma Statehood
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an American flag waver with 46 stars. The printed flag features a row pattern of stars against a dark blue canton, with thirteen red and white stripes completing the des...
Category
American Antique Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Fabric
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
American Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Monumental "Valley Forge" 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 stars and stripes and brass grommets.
Creator Valley Forge Co.
Date of manufacture c.1940-1950.
...
Category
Industrial Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
United State Marine Corps Parris Island Pennant ca 1917-1930
Located in York County, PA
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS PENNANT FROM PARRIS ISLAND, circa WWI (U.S. INVOLVEMENT 1917-18) -1930’s
Faded, red, felt, United States Marine Corps pennant with a variant of the central device of its official seal printed in blue, yellow, gold, tan, and white pigments, and “Parris Island S.C.” in white beyond, slightly arched, extending toward the tapered point. Note the whimsical profile of the letter “c,” with an exaggerated, scrolling tail. The device generally consists of a federal eagle perched upon a globe, superimposed on a canted anchor with a whirling chain, the combination of which is to symbolize the Corps’ watchful, worldwide, maritime presence. In this instance the image was modified to fit the elongated profile of a pennant’s basic design, with the anchor rotated slightly clockwise to the horizontal, an adaptation sometimes encountered in both Marine Corps and U.S. Navy examples.
The colors used to represent the Marine Corps changed over time. The present combination of scarlet red and gold, predominant here, were formally adopted in 1925, but American military traditions tend to be as hard to extinguish as the men and women of their ranks, and the Corps was certainly no exception. 14 years would pass before the official change caught up with the Marine Corps’ flag...
Category
Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Felt
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
American Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
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
North American Folk Art Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
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
American Vintage Early 20th Century 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
American Adirondack Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
"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
American Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
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
American Adirondack Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
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
Industrial Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
Vintage U.S. WWII Era Boeing PT-17 Stearman Wood Propeller
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage U.S. WWII Era Boeing PT-17 Stearman Wood Propeller
Decorate your living room, restaurant, hotel or lounge space with this exquisite memorabilia. This wooden propeller is fro...
Category
Unknown American Craftsman Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wood
Vintage Italian Flag c.1940
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
Industrial Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
"God Bless America" WWI Printed Banner
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an original “God Bless America” banner, dating to World War I. The pointed gonfalon banner is patriotically printed in red and blue. “God Bless America” is printed along the top and bottom of the banner in large blue letters. A Union shield sits at center, with two crossing springs of laurel and a scrolling banner that reads “Equality, Liberty, Justice” in blue below. The sides of the banner feature a unique 13-star flag border. The banner is displayed hanging on its original wooden dowel and accented by two long tassels.
This banner would have been proudly displayed in a window during WWI, similar to how service flags...
Category
American Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Enameled USSR Soviet Parachute Badges and Knights Templar Cross c.1955-1968
Located in San Francisco, CA
Collection of 5 enameled USSR Soviet parachute badges. Two instructor badges: #500 and #10 with the number of jumper hangers attached and three parachute badges. One is missing the h...
Category
Russian Industrial Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Enamel
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
American American Classical Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Iron
Theodore Roosevelt Plaque Portrait by James Earl Fraser, 1920
By James Earle Fraser
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented an original Theodore Roosevelt plaque portrait by James Earle Fraser. This work was produced by the Decorative Arts League of New York in 1920. This attractive plaque featu...
Category
American Art Nouveau Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th c. Monumental Belgian Flag c.1940-1950
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
Industrial Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
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
British Edwardian Antique Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
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
American American Craftsman Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Hardwood
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
American Folk Art Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
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
American Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Native American Beaded Watch Fob with Crossed Flags, ca 1915-1920
Located in York County, PA
NATIVE AMERICAN BEADED WATCH FOB WITH A STYLIZED FEDERAL EAGLE & SHIELD AND CROSSED AMERICAN FLAGS, circa 1915-1920’s
Native American beaded pocket w...
Category
American Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Beads
Collection of 8 Vanity Fair “Spy” Prints, etc.
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Collection of 8 Vanity Fair “Spy” Prints, etc.
A good collection of coloured prints including one of the King dating from the beginning of the...
Category
Edwardian Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
13 Star Medallion Patter Antique American Flag, ca 1910-1926
Located in York County, PA
13 STARS IN A MEDALLION PATTERN ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG MADE BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 1910 AND THE 1926 SESQUICENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
13 star American national p...
Category
American Early 20th Century 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 Women's Suffrage movement in the U.K. One-of-a-kind among presently known examples, this wonderful Arts & Crafts design features a green, frog-like pattern around the border, surrounding violet and green or daisies, on a polka dot green background. Interspersed between the flowers are the words "Votes for Women" and, in Latin, the phrase "Facta non Verba...
Category
English Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Porcelain
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
Scottish Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool, Feathers
U.S. Shield Patriotic Printed Paddle Fan, Circa 1918
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a U.S. shield patriotic printed paddle fan from 1918. The blue chief is printed with thirteen white stars. Below, thirteen vertical pales are printed in alternating red ...
Category
American Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wood, Paper
Navy Sailor Patriotic Printed Paddle Fan, Early 20th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a patriotic printed paddle fan, with an image of a Navy sailor. The sailor is depicted on the back of a large boat, standing in front of a large, waving American flag. I...
Category
American Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wood, Paper
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
Industrial Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Fabric
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
American Antique Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Leather
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
Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
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
Australian Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
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
English Edwardian Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
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
French Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Bronze
Votes for Women Parade Textile in Purple and Gren
Located in York County, PA
VOTES FOR WOMEN PARADE TEXTILE IN PURPLE AND GREEN, OF A TYPE WORN AS SASHES AND WAVED AS NARROW PARADE BANNERS, MADE IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT BY CALHOUN PRESS FOR THE WOMEN'S POLITI...
Category
American Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Teddy Roosevelt Silk Kerchief Made for His 1912 Presidential Run
Located in York County, PA
SILK CAMPAIGN KERCHIEF FEATURING A PROMINENT BULL MOOSE, MADE FOR THE 1912 PRESIDENTIAL RUN OF TEDDY ROOSEVELT, WHEN HE RAN ON THE NATIONAL PROGRESSIVE PARTY TICKET
Printed silk ker...
Category
American Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
American Suffrage Movement 'Votes for Women" Pennant, circa 1912-1920
Located in York County, PA
AMERICAN SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT PENNANT WITH "VOTES FOR WOMEN" TEXT, IN A LARGE SIZE AND WITH ATTRACTIVE PATINA FROM AGE AND OBVIOUS USE, circa 1912-1920
American Suffrage movement penna...
Category
American Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Felt
WWI Bond Drive Flag, With Prussian Blue Eagle, ca 1919
Located in York County, PA
WWI BOND DRIVE FLAG WITH A WHIMSICAL & ARTISTICALLY COMPELLING EAGLE, PERCHED DIRECTLY ON THE LOWER EDGE OF THE TEXTILE (HIGHLY UNUSUAL), WITH WINGS UPSTRETCHED IN A “V” FOR “VICTORY...
Category
American Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Votes for Woman Parade Textile, Made in Hardford, CT, circa 1910-1915
Located in York County, PA
VOTES FOR WOMEN PARADE TEXTILE IN PURPLE AND GREEN, OF A TYPE WORN AS SASHES AND WAVED AS NARROW PARADE BANNERS, MADE IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT BY CALHOUN PRESS FOR THE WOMEN'S POLITI...
Category
American Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Large Dramatic Circular Fan, ca 1917-1918
Located in York County, PA
DRAMATIC, CIRCULAR FLAG FAN OF UNCOMMONLY HUGE SIZE, WITH UNUSUAL CONSTRUCTION, MADE IN THE WWI ERA (1917-18), CAREFULLY CONSERVED AND PRESENTED IN A DEEP, CUSTOM-MADE SHADOWBOX
Thi...
Category
American Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
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 RED CROSS BANNER WITH WHIMSICAL LETTERING AND A TERRIFIC SLOGAN, WWI (U.S. INVOLVEMENT 1917-18), ONE OF APPROXIMATELY THREE EXAMPLES PRESENTLY IDENTIFIED
Web ID: pat-742
Available: In Stock
Frame Size (H x L): 34.5" x 48.75"
Flag Size (H x L): 21.75" x 36"
Description:
Made during the First World War, this extraordinary banner of the American Red Cross, printed on plain weave cotton, is a gem among surviving textiles commissioned for the organization. Even though it wasn't exactly produced as such, the banner is a fantastic piece of American folk art, with the combination of words, and visual impact forcing it soundly into this category.
Some years ago, I acquired one of the very same type. At that point in time, I had not before seen its equal. Bowled over by the exceptional graphics in its varied styles of lettering—more like what you see during the 19th century than the 20th, I could find nothing of similar quality in my associated research. In fact, there was barely anything vintage or antique with imagery much beyond the generic scarlet cross on a white ground.
The verbiage is undeniably great:
"The Red Cross Needs You; Join Now; Be Patriotic--Be Humane."
Today I know of one other, in addition to this example and the one I sold previously, for a total of three. I have also seen a variation on the basic design, not as dynamic but similar, reproduced for the television series “Gilded Age.” Displayed behind the actress who plays Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross, it has the same text at the top and in the middle, though the fonts are not quite as strong, but along the bottom, the slogan “Be Patriotic--Be Humane” is replaced by “Answer the Call.”
The first example of this banner that I acquired a fine, blue, hand-sewn binding around the perimeter, and 4 sets of long, red, cotton ties, hand-sewn to the top edge and distributed along it. Because these were so incredibly graphic in their own right, and what they collectively added to the presentation of a banner that looks way more like 19th century printed advertising than something from the 20th, I elected to up the ante, if you will, seeking out red and blue, antique cotton...
Category
American Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
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
American Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
Colorado State Flag, Made of Silk, circa 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
American Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
Women's Suffrage Movement Pennant w/ Bold Color, Votes For Women Text, 1912-1919
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
American Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Felt
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
Teddy Roosevelt and His Great White Fleet American Flag, circa 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
American Antique Early 20th Century 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
English Vintage Early 20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Porcelain