Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Teddy Roosevelt and His Great White Fleet American Flag, circa 1907-1909

About the Item

Rare & Beautiful American Parade Flag With Images Of Teddy Roosevelt And His Great White Fleet, 1907-1909, Ex-richard Pierce Collection: 46 star parade flag, printed on very fine silk, made to celebrate the launch of Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet in 1907. The Great White Fleet was a United States Navy force that completed a circumnavigation of the globe from December 16, 1907, to February 22, 1909 at Roosevelt’s bidding. It consisted of four squadrons of four battleships each, with associated escorts. Through deployment of the Great White Fleet, Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American military power. This was largely fueled by an ongoing show of force by the Japanese Royal Navy. Japanese-American relations were tense and the Pacific Fleet was rather small. Roosevelt felt that action was required. In addition to several U.S. destinations and Japan, the ports visited during the round-the-world tour included Trinidad, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippine Islands, China, Ceylon, Egypt, and Gibraltar. Superimposed on the flag image are circular medallions containing portraits of each of the 16 battleships. Their round shape makes them appear as though they are being viewed through a porthole or spyglass. Inside these are oval portraits of the four Admirals that commanded the squadrons, flanking a larger medallion picturing T.R. himself, commander-in-chief. The four admirals pictured are Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry (top left), Rear Admiral William H. Emory (top right), Rear Admiral Charles M. Thomas (bottom left), and Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans (bottom right). There were four legs of the two year tour, and having been selected by seniority, three of the four men retired during the journey. The flag itself is highly unusual. In 1905, the United States Congress passed a law that was supposed to have eliminated the use of portraits and text on the American flag, labeling it desecration. Examples survive that were produced after that date, but they are generally rather benign, without elaborate formats and almost never including the portraits of a U.S. Presidents or other political figures. The great popularity of Roosevelt lends to its great desirability, as does the overall design, with so much pictured in historical record the famous fleet and its fearless leader. The 46th state, Oklahoma, joined the Union on November 16th, 1907, during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency. Roosevelt had many friends in the Oklahoma Territory from his Rough Rider days, and pushed it through to statehood. The 46 star flag became official on July 4th, 1908 and remained so until July 3rd, 1912. Many 46 star flags were made earlier, however, in great anticipation of the future addition of the state, which had previously been appointed to Native Americans. Provenance: Formerly in the collection of J. Richard Pierce, a leading collector of American parade flags. Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples. The two part frame consists of a black-painted, hand-gilded, and distressed Italian molding with a convex profile, to which a very dark brown molding, almost black, with reddish undertones and highlights, and a step-down profile, was added as a cap. The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been washed and treated for colorfastness. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass. Feel free to contact us for more details. Condition: Exceptional. There is a tiny amount of bleeding, foxing, and misprinting, but there are no serious condition issues. Frame Size (H x L): 21.75" x 27.75" Flag Size (H x L): 13" x 18.5".
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 21.75 in (55.25 cm)Width: 27.75 in (70.49 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1900-1909
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1907-1909
  • Condition:
    See Item Description.
  • Seller Location:
    York County, PA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 46j-9061stDibs: LU849725547362

More From This Seller

View All
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

Vintage 1910s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

34 Star American flag, Updated to 39 Stars, with Stars in a Great Star Pattern
Located in York County, PA
34 STARS IN A WHIMSICAL RENDITION OF THE GREAT STAR PATTERN, ON A CIVIL WAR PERIOD FLAG WITH A CORNFLOWER BLUE CANTON, UPDATED TO 39 STARS IN 1876 34 star American national flag with additional stars added and one of the most stunning graphic designs I have ever seen in early flag-making. The original pattern was comprised of a circle of 5 large stars, and triangular arms made of smaller stars. These are noticeable pointy and bent like the arms of a starfish. Made of cotton, the stars are hand-sewn and double-appliquéd to a fantastic, cornflower blue canton, a color common to Civil War uniforms...
Category

Antique 1870s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

38 Star Antique American Flag, Colorado Statehood, circa 1876-1889
Located in York County, PA
38 star antique American parade flag with scattered star orientation, made of silk, with generous scale and vivid colors, Colorado Statehood, 1876-1889 38 star American national p...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

Antique American Flag, 32 Stars, Minnesota Statehood, circa 1858-59
Located in York County, PA
32 STARS IN A VERY UNUSUAL NOTCHED VERSION OF THE “GREAT STAR” PATTERN, WITH TWO STARS ABSENT AT THE EXTREME POINTS OF EACH ARM, MADE IN THE PERIOD WHEN MINNESOTA JOINED THE UNION AS...
Category

Antique 1850s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

36 Star Antique American Flag, Cornflower blue Canton, circa 1864-1867, Nevada
Located in York County, PA
Antique American Flag With 36 Stars On A Cornflower Blue Canton, Civil War Era, 1864-1867, Reflects The Addition Of Nevada As The 36th State; A Great Folk Exaple With Haphazard Rows Of Starfish-like Stars: 36 star American national flag of the Civil War era with outstanding collector traits. Haphazard rows of fat, starfish-shaped stars fill most of the confines of a brilliant, cornflower blue canton. Note the crude piecing of the thirteen, red and white stripes, joined in an ill-planned manner that results in great variation in width, as well as general irregularity. The 4th red stripe actually falls slightly below the canton, and the height of each does not line up with the corresponding stripe on the reverse. This can clearly be seen at the fly end, which is is turned back and bound to repair obvious extended use in an outdoor environment. Clearly the maker lacked experience in seam work. Lining up the necessary components, so that they could be viewed on both sides, presented a challenge they may have not previously faced. This is also evident in the sewing of the stars, which do not line up on the obverse and reverse sides, as they typically would in a flag sewn by an experienced flag-maker. That said, this is just this kind of homemade charm that fuels interest in early American flags...
Category

Antique 1860s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

Franco-American Textile with the Image of an Eagle Holding the American and Flag
Located in York County, PA
Franco-American textile with the image of an eagle supporting knotted and draped american and French flags beneath four war planes; embroidered silk floss and metallic bullion thread...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

You May Also Like

31-Star Printed American Flag, Celebrating California Statehood, Circa 1850
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
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...
Category

Antique 1850s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

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

Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Muslin

Important Teddy Roosevelt Letter from White House June 1907
By Theodore Roosevelt
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting A Very Important Teddy Roosevelt Letter from White House June 1907. On ‘The White House’ letterhead. Typed and personally signed and amended by President Theodore Roosevelt. With it’s original White House envelope, stamp and postage marks. Dated June 14th 1907. What makes this letter so important is the author, the office and the content. It refers to the beliefs and opinions of the then President and First Lady (Edith) towards the women’s sufferage and empowerment movement that was the ‘hot topic’ of the time. It is addressed to Eliza Calvert Obenchain who was a well known author at the end of the 19th Century and Early 20th Century. In 1905, Teddy referred to her book “Aunt Jane of Kentucky’ in a speech and recommended that every man in America should read it to understand ‘the plight of their womenfolk’. He regularly corresponded with her and we have a number of those letters in our collection. It appears that both he and Edith became big fans of Mrs Obenchain who was also heavily involved in the Suffragist movement. The letters also provide a fascinating and historic record of Roosevelt’s personal beliefs and feelings on female empowerment. The Letter Reads: The White House Washington Oyster Bay, N.Y., June 14, 1907 Personal “Dear Mrs. Obenchain: I gladly accept the autographed copy of “Aunt Jane” which you have been so kind to send me. But Aunt Jane is so good and so wise that she must not (amount “race (illegible)) fall into the terrible mistake of the self-indulgent, selfish, shortsighted women, cold in heart and in temper, who shirk the duties of mother-hood and then try to cover up to themselves and to others their cowardice or self-indulgence by making believe they are actuated by wise or lofty motives. * With great regard, believe me, Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt *And she must not give aid and comfort to unsexed or sexless creatures by a jest which they may take for earnest ! Mrs. Eliza Calvert Obenchain, Bowling Green, Kentucky.“ The envelope is From: The White House. Addressed to: Mrs. Eliza Calvert Obenchain, Bowling Green, Kentucky and marked ‘Personal’. It is stamped on the front as posted from Oyster Bay, New York Post Office on June 16 1907. It has a red 2 Cent...
Category

Early 20th Century American American Classical Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

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

Vintage 1910s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

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

Antique 1880s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

Antique Federal Eagle American 50 Star Flag with Brass Eagle Pole, 19th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Monumental 50 star American Flag with antique Federal Eagle brass and wood pole. A patriotic piece suitable for any home. This set includes both ...
Category

Antique 19th Century American Federal Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Recently Viewed

View All