Thirty-Four Foot U.S. Navy Commissioning Pennant With 13 Stars

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Thirty-Four Foot U.S. Navy Commissioning Pennant With 13 Stars

About the Item

THIRTY-FOUR-FOOT U.S. NAVY COMMISSIONING PENNANT WITH 13 STARS, CIVIL WAR PERIOD (1861-65), ENTIRELY HAND SEWN: Commissioning pennants are the distinguishing mark of a commissioned U.S. Navy ship. A ship became commissioned when this pennant was hoisted. Flown during both times of peace and war, the only time the pennant is not flown is if a flag officer or civilian official is aboard and replaces it with their own flag. This particular example is entirely hand-sewn and dates to the Civil War (1861-65) period. In the 18th and early 19th century, commissioning pennants would typically have a number of stars that reflected the number of official stars on the American national flag. As time progressed, more and more states were added and number of stars was reduced to either 13 stars, to reflect the original number of states, or 7 stars. According to the U.S. Navy, the reason for the choice of 7 stars was not recorded. I have suggested that this number may have been chosen to stand for the 7 seas, but it may just have well have been for some other purpose. Whatever the case may be, after the turn of the 20th century (1900), most pennants had 7 stars. The 13 stars on this pennant is a star count reflect the 13 original colonies. The count is not unusual on commissioning pennants, but it does tend to be seen mostly on those that are of smaller scale. Measuring about 34 feet on the fly, its length was originally somewhat longer. During the 18th and 19th centuries, commissioning pennants were a very important means of identifying and U.S. Navy ship on the open seas. For this reason, they often well-exceed this scale, with some reaching as long as one hundred feet. By the 20th century, however, they had become largely ceremonial and customary. Today the largest commissioning pennants measure just two-and-a-half inches by six feet, while some are as short as 4 feet on the fly. Some Notes on the Use of 13 stars: The U.S. Navy flew 13 star flags on small boats, not only in the 18th century, but throughout much or all of the 19th century, particularly the second half. Ship captains were paranoid about the ability of foreign ships to recognize the flag on the open seas. On small flags in particular, viewed through a spyglass at a distance, the ability discern individual stars was of great concern. Keeping the count at 13 maintained better visibility and consistency. The practice theoretically ended in 1916 following an executive order from then-President Woodrow Wilson, though old military traditions die hard and according to at least one expert, Wilson’s order did not completely dispel the presence of 13 star flags on U.S. Navy craft. Construction: The pennant is entirely hand-sewn. The stars are made of cotton and double-appliquéd (applied to both sides). The body of the pennant is made of wool bunting that has been carefully pieced from many small lengths of fabric. Such conservative use of fabric is common in flags of this period, but this demonstrates particularly frugality. The Navy made its own flags and so was unconstrained by the standards of commercial flag-makers. Use at sea for long periods necessitated such things as replacement and mending. Captains likewise needed to keep sailors busy and construction at sea is a distinct possibility in this case. An open sleeve, made of twill cotton, binds the hoist. The name "McEvoy" is written along the hoist with a dip pen. This would have been the name of a former owner. Note that the name was later crossed out, so the pennant probably changed hands during its course of use. Mounting: The pennant has been hand-stitched to 100% hemp fabric. The mount has been placed in a hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding with a wide convex profile. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic. Condition: Past the loss at the extreme fly end and a few small tears with associated loss near the hoist in the blue wool, the condition is absolutely exceptional for the period. Frame Size (H x L): 67" x 88.75" Flag Size (H x L): 409" unfurled

Dimensions:
Height: 67 in (170.18 cm)Width: 88.75 in (225.43 cm)
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1861-1865
Condition:
See Item Description.
Seller Location:
York County, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: 13j-12511stDibs: LU8497927888

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