Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
to
4
63
3
66
2
8
117
109
3
48
41
10
4
14
3
4
8
4
2
4
2
54
28
13
8
7
57
55
4
3
2
66
66
66
Period: Late 19th Century
19th Century American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889, a period printed silk parade flag with a wavy pattern of dancing stars. This was never an official flag of the United States but was m...
Category
American Federal Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
Pair 19th Century Victorian Eastlake Free Mason Throne Chairs w/ Symbolism
Located in Savannah, GA
Victorian Eastlake large upholstered solid oak throne chairs from Masonic Lodge with lots of detailed carving. The pair consists of one with the plumb bob sy...
Category
American Eastlake Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Velvet, Oak
Centennial Celebration "1776-1876" American Flag Banner
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
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...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool, Cotton
44 Star Antique Parade Flag, Hourglass Formation, Wyoming Statehood ca 1890-1896
Located in York County, PA
44 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH AN HOURGLASS FORMATION ON A BRILLIANT BLUE CANTON; REFLECTS THE ERA WHEN WYOMING WAS THE MOST RECENT STATE TO JOIN THE UNION, 1890-1896
44 star Am...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
38-Star Antique American Flag with Unique Canton, circa 1876-1890
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a striking 38-star American flag. The flag dates to 1876-1890, when Colorado (represented by the large star in the center of the flag’s canton) joined the Union as the 38th s...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Muslin
39-Star Antique American Flag with 'Whimsical' Star Pattern, 1889
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a 39-star unofficial American flag, handmade and printed on cotton. The flag dates to 1889 and has a unique history, thanks to its rare star-count.
The flag’s canton is prin...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Political Debates Between Abraham Lincoln & Stephen A. Douglas, Limited Edition
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Lincoln, Abraham and Stephen A. Douglas. Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, In the Celebrated Campaign of 1858, in Illinois, Including the Preceding Speeches of Each, at Chicago, Springfield, Etc.; Also, the Two Great Speeches of Mr. Lincoln in Ohio, in 1859. Cleveland: The Burrows Brothers Company, 1894. Limited edition printing, No. 168 of 750. Presented in ¼ leather and cloth binding, with gilt titles and raised bands to spine, with a new archival cloth slipcase.
This is a special limited edition printing of the political debates of Lincoln and Stephen Douglas...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
39-Star Printed American Flag, Commemorating North Dakota Statehood, 1889-1890
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a 39-star unofficial American flag, celebrating North Dakota statehood. The printed flag dates to 1889 and showcases a “whimsical” star pattern in the canton. The flag's cant...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Fabric
38-Star American Parade Flag, Flown at a Reception for President Grant, 1880
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a beautifully colored 38-star American parade flag, flown at a public reception for Ulysses S. Grant in October of 1880. This printed flag features a rare, triple medallion s...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
19th c Wooden Ceremonial Fraternal Masonic Crook and Metal Spear on Metal Bases
Located in Savannah, GA
Large size gold gilt wooden ceremonial fraternal Masonic Crook perched on a long painted wooden pole. Supported by a decorative three-footed metal base, the gilt wood crook itself me...
Category
American Folk Art Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Metal
"The Old Flag and Protection" Benjamin Harrison Campaign Handkerchief, 1888
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
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 ...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
System Walking Stick, France, 1870
Located in Milan, IT
Gadget-System walking stick: shadow gadget cane with Napoleon profile on its ebonized wood handle. Malacca wood shaft. Iron ferrule. France 1870 circa.
Category
French Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Iron
19th Century 39 Star American Flag, circa 1889
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century 39 Star American Flag, circa 1889, a printed linen ensign with 39 stars arranged in a wavy star pattern, with stripes in a very unus...
Category
American Federal Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Linen
Centre Table Commemorating the Paris Treaty and the USA Independence, Dated 1886
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A very interesting centre table commemorating the Paris Treaty between the original thirteen states of the United States of America and Great Britain ending the American Revolution o...
Category
American Directoire Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Bone, Wood
Original Painted Metal Parade Flag
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 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
American Adirondack Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Tin
Antique 13-Star Patriotic Sash by Louis E. Stilz & Bros., Late 19th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
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...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Pressed Brass Eagle, Parade Flag Holder and Bunting Tie Back, ca 1880-1895
Located in York County, PA
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...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
English Painted Wood Dummy Board Depicting a Royal Navy Lieutenant
Located in Southampton, NY
English painted wood dummy board depicting a royal navy lieutenant.
Inscribed 'Made in England' on the reverse.
Measures: 41" high x 21" wide x 9" deep
...
Category
English Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wood
13-Star Flag Waver for the Centennial Celebration
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This small charming 13-star flag waver was made for and sold during the nation’s Centennial celebration in Philadelphia in 1876. All manner of flags were made for the official Centen...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Fabric
13 Star Woven Silk Ribbon, ca 1876-1910
Located in York County, PA
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...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
39-Star "Protection" Benjamin Harrison Political Kerchief
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a printed linen political kerchief for Benjamin Harrison, from his 1888 Presidential campaign. The kerchief features a waving 39-star American flag at the center of a wh...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Linen
American 38 Star Parade Flag, circa 1877
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique American 38 Star Parade Flag, circa 1877, a fine woven linen small parade flag with 38 stars in a bold "Dancing Star" pattern, enacted in 1877 upon the admission of Colorado....
Category
American Federal Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Linen
Collection of Three Cast Iron Star Victorian Daughters of the Revolution Markers
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Collection of three Daughters of the Revolution cast iron star markers. Marked GAR Thos Feushaw Post 75 Conn.
Category
North American Folk Art Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Iron
Very Rare West Riding Constabulary Cast Iron Wall Plaque
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Very rare west riding constabulary cast iron wall plaque
This branch of the British police force was established in 1825, Yorkshire was divided into ...
Category
British Colonial Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Iron
38 Star Rare Circle in A Square Horstmann Brothers Made American Flag, ca 1876
Located in York County, PA
38 STARS IN A RARE AND STRIKING CIRCLE-IN-A-SQUARE MEDALLION, WITH AN ENORMOUS CENTER STAR, MADE FOR THE 1876 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION BY HORSTMANN BROTHERS OF PHILADELPHIA, A MAJOR MI...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
44 Star Antique American Flag, Wyoming Statehood, ca 1890-1896
Located in York County, PA
44 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH AN HOURGLASS ARRANGEMENT ON A DUSTY BLUE CANTON; REFLECTS THE ERA WHEN WYOMING WAS THE MOST RECENT STATE TO JOIN THE UNION, 1890-1896
Wyoming was ...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
Rare 1876 Centennial Banner with Liberty Bell and Flags
Located in York County, PA
RARE 1876 CENTENNIAL BANNER WITH PATRIOTIC PHRASES, AN EAGLE, CARRYING THE LIBERTY BELL AMIDST TIPPED FLAGS OF 6 NATIONS, AND 13 LARGE, RED STARS, ALL SET WITHIN A BLUE BORDER WITH 3...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
42 Hand Sewn Stars on An Antique American Flag ca 1889-1890
Located in York County, PA
42 HAND-SEWN STARS ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A TWO-TONE, DUSTY BLUE CANTON, REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF WASHINGTON STATE, MONTANA, AND THE DAKOTAS, NEVER AN OFFICIAL STAR COUNT, ...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
British Suffrage Movement Cigarette Case and "Cinderella" Stamp, ca 1895-1923
Located in York County, PA
BRITISH SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT CIGARETTE CASE AND ‘CINDERELLA’ STAMP WITH “VOTES FOR WOMEN” SLOGAN
Enameled silver cigarette cases became popular in the latter 19th century and remained ...
Category
English Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Metal
38 Star American Parade Flags with Stars in a Great Star Pattern
Located in York County, PA
38 STAR AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL VARIATION OF THE “GREAT STAR” OR “GREAT FLOWER” PATTERN, 4 LARGE CORNER STARS, & AN ODD OUTLIER, 1876-1889, COLORADO STATEHOOD,...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
13 Star Antique Parade Flag, Hand Inscribed by the Owner in Salem, MA 1896
Located in York County, PA
ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH 13 STARS ARRANGED IN 6-POINTED GREAT STAR / STAR OF DAVID PATTERN, OF A TYPE MADE FOR THE 1876 CENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, WORN AND HAND-INSCRIBED...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
The Declaration of Independence, Printed on Cotton, ca 1876
Located in York County, PA
PRINTED COTTON KERCHIEF GLORIFYING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, WITH TEXT AND REPRODUCED SIGNATURES, MADE FOR THE 1876 CENTENNIAL INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION IN PHILADELPHIA
Printed on cotton, this beautiful kerchief pays homage to the Declaration of Independence, through the reproduction of its text and 56 signatures, surrounded by a fanciful border. The latter contains the 13 state seals, which are dispersed around the perimeter in small medallion images. Note how Pennsylvania is highlighted among them, larger and in the bottom center, both because it served as the meeting place of the Second Continental Congress, and played host to the 1876 Centennial International Exposition, the six-month long World’s Fair event that was held in honor of our nation’s 100-year anniversary of independence.
The names of twelve Revolutionary War generals are spread out between each crest, on each forward-facing turn of a scroll, that wraps around the pillar and leaf border on the right, left, and bottom. These include Washington, Lafayette, Johann de Kalb, Nathiel Greene, Ethan Allen, Henry Knox, Israel Putnam, Daniel Morgan, William Moultrie, Francis Marion...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
"Lion Rampant" Royal Flag of Scotland, ca 1875-1900
Located in York County, PA
THE ROYAL FLAG OF SCOTLAND, a.k.a., “LION RAMPANT,” A GLAZED COTTON PARADE FLAG, LAST QUARTER 19th CENTURY
Parade flag in the form of the Royal Flag of Sco...
Category
Scottish Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
13 Star Antique American Flag with a Narrow Star Presentation, ca 1876
Located in York County, PA
13 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH HAND-SEWN STARS IN AN EXTREMELY NARROW PRESENTATION OF A 3-2-3-2-3 ARRANGEMENT ON A CANTON THAT DOESN’T FOLLOW SUIT, LEAVING WIDE EXPANSES OF BLUE ...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
Homemade, Antique American Flag with Exceptional Folk Qualities, 1896-1908
Located in York County, PA
HOMEMADE, ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A TINY CANTON RESTING ON THE 6TH STRIPE AND AN EXTREMELY FOLKY PRESENTATION OF 45 STARS IN A “NOTCHED” PATTERN THAT MIGHT BE UNIQUE TO THIS EXAMP...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
38 Star Antique American Flag, Colorado Statehood, Made in Massachusetts 1876-89
Located in York County, PA
38 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A NOTCHED CONFIGURATION, MADE BY THE U.S. BUNTING COMPANY IN LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, REFLECTS THE ERA OF COLORADO STATEHOOD, circa 1876-1889
38 sta...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
13 Star Antique American Flag, Marked "R.H Macy & Co", circa 1895-1926
Located in York County, PA
13 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A 3-2-3-2-3 CONFIGURATION OF STARS; A SMALL-SCALE EXAMPLE, MADE IN THE 1895-1926 ERA, MARKED “R.H. MACY & CO.”
13 star antique American flag of th...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
13 Star Antique American Flag , Hand-Sewn Stars in a Medallion, 1876 Centennial
Located in York County, PA
13 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION OF HAND-SEWN STARS AND A BEAUTIFUL, ELONGATED PROFILE, MADE IN THE ERA OF THE 1876 CENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, I...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
45 Upside-Down Star on An Antique American Flag, Utah State, ca 1896-1908
Located in York County, PA
45 UPSIDE-DOWN STARS ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG MADE IN THE ERA OF THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR (1898), WHEN UTAH WAS THE MOST RECENT STATE TO JOIN THE UNION, circa 1896-1908
45 star A...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
39 Star Antique American Parade Flag with Stars in Two Sizes, Ca 1876
Located in York County, PA
39 STARS IN TWO SIZES, ALTERNATING FROM ONE COLUMN TO THE NEXT, ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH AN UNUSUALLY ELONGATED PROFILE, DATING TO THE 1876 CENTENNIAL, NEVER AN OFFICI...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
42 Star Antique American Parade Flag, Washington Statehood, ca 1889-1890
Located in York County, PA
42 STARS ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH SCATTERED STAR POSITIONING, REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF WASHINGTON STATE, MONTANA, AND THE DAKOTAS, NEVER AN OFFICIAL STAR COUNT, circa 1889-18...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
44 Star Antique American Parade Flag, Wyoming Statehood, ca 1890-1896
Located in York County, PA
44 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH ENDEARING WEAR FROM LONG TERM USE AND WITH ITS STARS ARRANGED IN A NOTCHED PATTERN THAT LEAVES 4 SPACES OPEN FOR THE REMAINING WESTERN TERRI...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
13 Haloed Stars in A Medallion Configuration, ca 1876
Located in York County, PA
13 HALOED STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION, ON AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG MADE FOR THE 1876 CENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
13 star American parade flag, prin...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
45 Stars Antique American Parade Flag, Utah Statehood, ca 1896-1908
Located in York County, PA
45 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH ITS STARS ARRANGED IN A NOTCHED PATTERN, 1896-1908, UTAH STATEHOOD:
45 star American national flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. Evide...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
38 Star American Flag, Colorado Statehood, Made by Horstmann Brothers ca 1876
Located in York County, PA
38 STARS, COLORADO STATEHOOD, A SCARCE AND BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A MEDALLION PATTERN AND 4 LARGE CORNER STARS, PRESS-DYED ON WOOL BUNTING, MADE BY HORSTMANN BROTHERS I...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
42 Stars in a Whimsical Medallion Configuration, ca 1889-1890
Located in York County, PA
42 STARS IN A WHIMSICAL MEDALLION CONFIGURATION THAT FEATURES A LARGE, HALOED CENTER STAR AND INCORPORATES 7 TINY STARS; NEVER AN OFFICIAL STAR COUNT, EXCEPTIONALLY RARE, REFLECTS TH...
Category
North American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
13 Star Rare Parade Flag, Advertising Hop Bitters, circa 1876
Located in York County, PA
13 STARS IN AN UNUSUAL PATTERN ON A RARE PAPER PARADE FLAG WITH ADVERTISING HOP BITTERS, PROBABLY DISTRIBUTED FOR THE 1876 CENTENNIAL; EXHIBITED AT THE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUT...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
44 Star Silk Antique American Flag, Wyoming Statehood, ca 1890-1896
Located in York County, PA
44 STARS IN JUSTIFIED ROWS, WITH VARIED STAR POSITIONING, ON A SILK, ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH STRIKING COLORS, REFLECTS WYOMING STATEHOOD, circa 1890-1896
44 star American parade ...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
45 Star Antique American Parade Flag, Utah Statehood, circa 1896-1908
Located in York County, PA
45 STARS ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION, A RARE FEATURE IN THIS PERIOD, 1896-1908, UTAH STATEHOOD
45 star American parade flag, printed on cotton ...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
45 Star Antique American Naval Jack, ca 1896-1908
Located in York County, PA
LARGE & BEAUTIFULLY FADED, ANTIQUE AMERICAN JACK w/ 45 STARS ARRANGED IN A “NOTCHED” PATTERN, INTENTIONALLY LEAVING SPACE FOR THE 3 REMAINING WESTERN TERRITORIES YET TO BE ADDED; MAD...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
33 Star Antique American Flag with a Great Star Configuration, ca 1859-1861
Located in York County, PA
33 STARS ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A "GREAT STAR" CONFIGURATION ON A BRILLIANT, INDIGO BLUE CANTON, A RARE AND EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLE, PRE-CIVIL WAR THROUGH THE WAR'S OPENING YEAR, 1...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
13 Star Antique American Flag , Ca 1890-1899
Located in York County, PA
13 STARS WITH SHORT, CONICAL ARMS ON A SMALL SCALE, ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG MADE DURING THE LAST DECADE F THE 19TH CENTURY; POSSIBLY OF PHILADELPHIA ORIGIN; FORMERLY IN THE COLLECTION ...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
38 Star Antique American Parade Flag, Colorado Statehood, ca 1876-1889
Located in York County, PA
38 STARS IN AN EXTREMELY UNUSUAL CONFIGURATION THAT BEARS A CLUSTER OF 6 SMALL STARS WITHIN A LINEAL PATTERN OF LARGER STARS, 1876-1889, COLORADO STATEHOOD
38 star American national parade flag, printed on cotton. This is an extremely rare example of a lineal pattern flag with a wreath or cluster of smaller stars inserted in the center. A very small number of flags in this style are known to have survived, the colors of which are typically saturated and vibrant, like this example, in scarlet red and rich, royal blue.
The particular wreath in the center of the configuration is really more of a pentagon with a single, center star. The reason for the choice of the design and 6 smaller stars seems a curious one on the surface, but its purpose was probably nothing more than to simply augment a 36 star print block to one with 38 stars. One may observe how 4 stars, that would have comprised the center of a 6 x 6 pattern, could have simply been removed and 6 smaller stars inserted in their place, in an artful fashion.
At least two other similar 38-star patterns are known that incorporate 4 small stars intermingled between rows of what most certainly were two very similar 34-star flag print blocks originally. It was easier to modify these blocks rather than create brand new ones. In these particular instances, the results are rare, quirky configurations that are highly prized by collectors.
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 became official on July 4th, 1877 and was generally used until the addition of the Dakotas in 1889.
Provenance: Jeff R. Bridgman Antiques to the late collector Jim Ring...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
36 Star Antique Parade Flag, Vertical Position, Nevada Statehood, ca 1861-1867
Located in York County, PA
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...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Antique American Flag w/ 13 Stars in the Betsy Ross Design & 45 Stars on Reverse
Located in York County, PA
13 STARS IN THE BETSY ROSS PATTERN, WITH 45 STARS ON THE REVERSE; ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG MADE AND SIGNED BY A PREVIOUSLY UNIDENTIFIED FLAG-MAKER, ANNIE MAC LACHLAN OF JERSEY CI...
Category
American Other Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool, Cotton
38 Star Antique American Parade Flag, Colorado Statehood, ca 1876-1889
Located in York County, PA
38 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH JUSTIFIED ROWS OF 7-6-6-6-6-7 AND SCATTERED STAR ORIENTATION, MADE DURING THE PERIOD WHEN COLORADO WAS THE MOST RECENT STATE TO JOIN THE UNION, 1876-1889
38 star American national parade flag, printed on coarse cotton, possibly with flax content. One of the flag’s most interesting features is the wild sweep of the grain of the fabric, the warp and weft of which are anything but perpendicular.
The stars are arranged in justified rows of 7-6-6-6-6-7. This results in a secondary pattern that I commonly call a “box-in-a-box-in-a-box”, because of the way in which the seemingly haphazard arrangement creates three consecutive squares. Note how the stars point in various directions on their vertical axis, which adds a nice element of folk quality to the overall design.
Most parade flags in this star count have red stripes that lean heavily toward orange, with a vibrant, chromatic luster. 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. Also note how the wear and patina contribute to an endearing presentation that displays its long-term use gracefully.
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. In the latter 19th century, it became common to add stars before the respective state(s) had even entered the Union. No one cared what was official, not even the military, where the matter of practicality with regard to flags always seems to have outweighed regulations. In the private sector, commercial flag-making was a competitive venture. Few flag-makers continued to produce 37 star flags when their competitors had jumped the star count to 38. 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, that served as the nucleus of the national celebration.
Some makers of printed parade flags actually began to produce 39 star flags in 1876, in hopeful anticipation of the addition of two more Western Territories instead of one. The 39th state would not join the Union for another 13 years, however, when the Dakota Territory—thought to be coming as a single state—entered as two separate states on November 2nd, 1889. The 38 star flag generally fell out of production 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 that served during the period when the 38 star flag was official include Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Hand-Pained Banner with the Seal of the State of Mississippi, circa 1872
Located in York County, PA
Unique, hand-painted banner with the seal of the state of mississippi, likely having represented delegates from that state at the 1872 republican or dem...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
"Visit to Camp" Rare Card Game by McLaughlin Brother of New York, Ca 1871
Located in York County, PA
“Visit To Camp,” an extraordinarily rare card game by mclaughlin brothers of new york, circa 1871.
This extremely rare card game, designed with Civil War context, was made by McLoughlin Brothers in New York City. The set includes 12 (complete) chromolithographed, character playing cards, and 68 (out of 72) object cards, with various accoutrements. All of the above are housed in a wooden storage box with a slide lid and a chromolithographed, paper label.
Played in an ad-lib, story-telling format, the characters include the Colonel, the Captain, the Zouave soldier with red pantaloons, the Rifleman, the Artilleryman, the Riding Master, the Musician, the Ferrier, the Surgeon, the Sapper (engineer), the Sutler (cook), and the Vi Vandeer (a woman who takes care of the troops).
Each character was originally linked to 6 objects, which were to be produced by players on demand during a spoken reading of the game’s convoluted story-line. There are actually 69 cards included here, one of which is an object card for “the Chinaman.” Since the card matches the style exactly in printing, shape, and scale, and since there was no Chinaman in this game, I presume that the card must have once accompanied another McLaughlin ad-lib deck.
The instructions (reproduced, in scale) list 13 possible players, with the 13th acting as narrator. I could locate only 3 other copies of this extremely rare game, all of which included 12 cards.
McLoughlin Brothers is said to have pioneered the systematic use of color printing technologies in children’s books. The publishing firm opened in 1820 and was active until 1920, when it was sold to Milton Bradley. During the early years, the product line included toys in addition to books, among which were games, blocks, and paper dolls. Artwork from famous illustrators such as Thomas Nast, William Momberger, Ida Waugh” (Laura Wasowicz), Justin Howard, and Palmer Cox...
Category
American Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
