Pennsylvania - Folk Art

13 STARS IN THE BETSY ROSS PATTERN ON A SMALL-SCALE ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG MADE SOMETIME BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 1910 AND THE 1926 SESQUICENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE 13 star fla...

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...

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 ...

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, ...

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...

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 ...

ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH 30 STARS, THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE IN THIS SIMPLE BUT EXTRAORDINARY STYLE, PRE-CIVIL WAR, OFFICIAL FOR JUST TWO YEARS, REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF WISCON...

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,...

EXTRAORDINARY MARINE CORPS RECRUITMENT POSTER BY SIDNEY RIESENBERG (1885-1971), WITH SHARPLY APPOINTED OFFICERS STROLLING IN AN EXOTIC LOCAL, LIKELY DERNA OR MARRAKESH (i.e., “THE SH...

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...

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...

BOLDLY GRAPHIC AND UNUSUAL STARS & STRIPES PENNANT FROM THE ‘MARCH ON WASHINGTON’ OF AUGUST 28TH, 1963, WHEN MARTIN LUTHER KING DELIVERED HIS HISTORIC "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH; THIS E...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

PATRIOTIC WEST POINT WINDOW BANNER, PROBABLY MADE AROUND THE TIME OF U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN WWI (1917-18), A WONDERFUL EAMPLE WITH THE ACADEMY CREST & A SALMON RED BINDING Small window...

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...

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...

48 STAR U.S. NAVY JACK, MADE AT MARE ISLAND, CALIFORNIA, HEADQUARTERS OF THE PACIFIC FLEET, DURING WWII, DATED 1944 United States Navy jack with 48 stars, made during WWII (U.S. inv...

ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN FLAG MADE BY SARAH McFADDEN, “THE BETSY ROSS OF NEW YORK,” FOR THE HUDSON RIVER STEAMSHIP “DELAWARE,” LAUNCHED IN 1852, WHICH SAW A REMARKABLE HISTORY; CONSCRIPTE...

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...

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...

“VICTORY WITH ARMS NEEDS MACHINES ON FARMS”: EXTREMELY RARE WWI POSTER WITH AN EAGLE PERCHED ON A TRACTOR & A TERRIFIC SLOGAN WWII poster, printed on paper board, pleading for aid i...

ROLLER-PRINTED YARD GOODS TEXTILE, MADE TO MEMORIALIZE GEORGE WASHINGTON SOMETIME BETWEEN LAFAYETTE’S FINAL VISIT & GRAND TOUR OF AMERICA, FROM 1824-25, AND THE 1832 CELEBRATION OF G...

34 STARS, WITH SCATTERED POSITIONING, ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG MADE DURING THE OPENING TWO YEARS OF THE CIVIL WAR, 1861-63, KANSAS STATEHOOD 34 star American national flag...

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...

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...

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...

13 STARS ON A FLAG MADE FOR THE 1840 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, WITH THE INCLUSION OF A THREE-COLOR PORTRAIT MEDALLION, IN VIOLET , GOLD, AND BLACK; AMONG THE E...

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...

WOOL HOOKED RUG WITH A BILLOWING AMERICAN FLAG AND A FORKED TAIL STREAMER WITH THE “DON’T TREAD ON ME” SLOGAN; made Circa 1880-1910; THE 5 STAR COUNT, IF PURPOSEFUL, WOULD CELEBRATE ...

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...

31 STAR PARADE FLAG, MADE FOR THE 1860 CAMPAIGN OF JOHN BELL & EDWARD EVERETT, WITH A “UNION AND THE CONSTITUTION” SLOGAN, PROBABLY MADE BY H.C. HOWARD OF PHILADELPHIA 31 star Ameri...

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 ...

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...

WWII LIBERATION FLAG w/ 23 SILVER GILT STARS ON A CORNFLOWER BLUE CANTON & 16 STRIPES, MADE TO WELCOME U.S. TROOPS IN FRANCE FOLLOWING LIBERATION FROM...

34 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A LINEAL ARRANGEMENT THAT I HAVE TERMED "GLOBAL ROWS, WITH EXCEPTIONAL COLOR AND CRUDE YET BEAUTIFUL FEATURES, OPENING TWO YEARS OF THE CIVIL WAR, ...

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...

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...

COPY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ON CLOTH, PRINTED IN BOSTON IN 1832 TO MEMORIALIZE THE PASSING OF THE LAST SURVIVING SIGNER, CHARLES CARROLL OF MARYLAND, IN THE YEAR THAT COI...

26 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH 11 STRIPES AND IT’S CANTON RESTING ON THE “WAR STRIPE.” THE EARLIEST KNOWN STAR COUNT FOR PRINTED EXAMPLES, 1837-1846, MICHIGAN STATEHOOD 2...

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...

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...

EXTRAORDINARY 34 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH AN ACCORDION OR HOURGLASS MEDALLION CONFIGURATION THAT SURROUNDS A PENTAGON OF STARS IN THE CENTER; MADE OF FINE SILK AND ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN; MADE DURING THE OPENING YEARS OF THE CIVIL WAR (1861-63), IN A TINY SIZE AMONG ITS COUNTERPARTS OF THE PERIOD; REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF KANSAS AS THE 34TH STATE 34 star flag of the Civil War period with an array of rare, beautiful, and otherwise desirable features. Extremely small among flags of this period with pieced and sewn construction, the flag displays a star pattern that is not only highly unusual, but unique to this particular example. This consists of a single star in the very center, surrounded by a pentagon of stars, flanked by angular bracket of three stars to either side. Above and below are rows of 5 stars, followed by rows of 6 that line the top and bottom of the canton. The resulting configuration is what I have termed an “accordion medallion,” though “hourglass medallion” or “standing bow tie” would be perfectly acceptable. When rotated 90 degrees, to view the harder-to-identify, bow tie formation, students of early star patterns may note the visual similarity between this and what I call “Starburst” or “Crosshatch” medallions. The pattern, however, conspicuously lacks the crosses of St. Andrew (a saltire) and St. George (roman cross), that would allow it to be more accurately categorized as such. Entirely hand-sewn, the canton and stripes of the flag are made of fine silk. The hemming of this was accomplished with great skill. The top and bottom edges are selvedge. These are so similar in nature as to have come from the same maker. There is a white, silk binding along the hoist, in the form of an open sleeve, through which a length of braided hemp rope was passed, expertly looped and re-braided into itself at the top and bottom for strength. The stars are made of white, polished cotton. These were stitched to both sides (double-appliqued). Note how the edges of the fabric were not turned under, providing evidence of the fact that the maker was not especially skilled in appliqueing. This was common, as applique work was far more difficult than producing French seams. In the 19th century, most flags with pieced and sewn construction were 8 feet long and larger. A six-footer was considered small. Even military battle flags, carried on foot, measured 6’ x 6.5’, which translates into approximately 7’ x 7.5’ after framing, about the size of an average quilt and larger than can comfortably fit on a wall in a house with 8-foot ceilings and average width baseboard. Flags smaller than this were produced both commercially and at home, but the smaller they are, the more unusual they are. At just 26.5 x 46.5 inches, this flag is extremely small for a Civil war period flag with sewn construction. Silk was both beautiful and lightweight, which made it elegant for military unit colors and preferable for flags meant to be carried on foot. Most outdoor use flags...

33 STARS IN A "GREAT STAR" PATTER ON A BRILLIANT, ROYAL BLUE CANTON, A RARE AND EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLE, PRE-CIVIL WAR THROUGH THE WAR'S OPENING YEAR, 1859-1861, OREGON STATEHOOD 33 s...

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...

34 STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH A LARGE, HALOED CENTER STAR; CIVIL WAR PERIOD, KANSAS STATEHOOD, 1861-1863 34 star American national pa...

RARE FELT PENNANT FROM THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON, AUGUST 28, 1963, WHEN MARTIN LUTHER KING DELIVERED HIS HISTORIC "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH Printed in white pigment on scarlet red felt,...

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...

"VOTES FOR WOMEN" PENNANT WITH AN IMAGE OF A 1911 STATUETTE CALLED "SUFFRAGIST" BY ELLA BUCHANNAN, MADE FOR CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT'S "WOMAN SUFFRAGE PARTY" OF NEW YORK CITY, CA 1912-20 ...

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...

OUTSTANDING, 13 STAR, ANTIQUE AMERICAN PRIVATE YACHT ENSIGN WITH GREAT FOLK QUALITIES THAT INCLUDE AN UNUSUALLY WIDE ANCHOR AND A DECIDEDLY LOPSIDED RING OF 13 STARS; MADE DURING THE 2ND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY; ITS DEVICE HAND-SEWN AND SINGLE-APPLIQUÉD Private yacht ensigns were approved American signals for maritime use that allowed pleasure boats to bypass customs. Though the legislation that approved them was adopted prior to 1850, almost all such flags that one will encounter were sewn by electric machine and made during the 20th century. The unusual gems among surviving examples are those that are earlier and include hand-sewn elements. Even more rare are a select few with atypical graphics. Barely any fall into both of these categories at once. Take note of the anchor on this particular flag, wide a long horizontal crossbar (stock) that contributes to uncommonly wide stance. Set within a ring of stars that is decidedly lopsided, the result is as bold as it is endearingly whimsical—two of the best qualities in American folk art, a category in which this particular example can be filed. While I have owned 13 star private yacht flags that have displayed star and canted anchor devices that were somewhat larger and/or bolder than typical, I cannot recall any that were so graphically intriguing as this one. Brief History of Private Yacht Ensigns: The medallion configuration, 13-star, 13-stripe flag, with a canted center anchor was entered into official use in 1848, following an act of Congress, that made it the official signal for U.S. pleasure sailing vessels. The need for such a flag arose with the popularity of boating as a pastime for well-to-do Americans, and as a competitive sport, in addition to its longstanding utilitarian role as a vehicle of trade. In early America, all boats were subject to customs searches at every port. Without modern income tax, the federal government derived its revenues mostly from tariffs, so an accounting of foreign goods on ships was a critical venture. As yachting for pleasure became more prevalent, however, more and more time was spent searching boats that had no such inventory, wasting time for both customs officials and wealthy ship owners. John Cox Stevens, a former president of the Jockey Club and future founder of the Union League Club, became the New York Yacht Club’s Commodore upon its founding in 1845. In 1847 he approached the secretary of the treasury and suggested that something be done to streamline the customs process for non-trade vessels. In 1848, legislation passed Congress requiring registration of these boats, which could then fly the “American Yachting Signal” to bypass customs. This remained on the books until the 1980’s, when the 1848 legislation was revoked, but the use of flags in this design for decorative function continues to this day. 13 star flags have been flown throughout our nation’s history for a variety of purposes. In addition to their use on private yachts, they were hoisted at patriotic events, including Lafayette’s final visit in 1824-25, the celebration of the nation’s centennial in 1876, and the sesquicentennial in 1926. They were displayed during the Civil War, to reference past struggles for American liberty and victory over oppression, and were used by 19th century politicians while campaigning for the same reason. The U.S. Navy used the 13 star count on small boats until 1916, because it was easier to discern fewer stars at a distance on a small flag. Commercial flag-makers mirrored this practice and some private ships flew 13 star flags during the same period as the Navy. Construction: The stars and anchor are made of cotton, hand-sewn, and single-appliquéd. This means that they were applied to one side of the canton, then the blue fabric was cut from behind each star, folded over, and under-hemmed, so that one star could be viewed on both sides of the flag. I always find single-appliquéd stars more interesting, not only because they are evidence of a more difficult level of seam-work and stitching, but also because they are more visually intriguing. The two visible rows of hand-stitching emphasize their hand-sewn construction. For these reasons, single-appliquéd stars often appeal to connoisseurs of early American textiles...

34 STARS WITH "DANCING" OR "TUMBLING" ORIENTATION, ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH EXTRAORDINARY COLORS, PRESS-DYED ON WOOL BUNTING, LIKELY PRODUCED FOR USE AS MILITARY CAMP COLORS,...

34 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD (1861-63), IN A TINY SCALE AMONG PIECED-AND-SEWN FLAGS OF THE PERIOD, WITH A TRIPLE-WREATH CONFIGURATION, AN ELONGATED FORMAT, AND ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN; FOUND WITH A LETTER FROM JOHN W. RUDE OF THE 2ND KENTUCKY VETERAN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY (UNION): 34 star flag of the Civil War period with a variety of extremely desirable features, handed down with a letter written by John W. Rude on November 8th, 1864, while encamped with the Army’s 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, as a member of the 2nd Regiment of Veteran Volunteer Cavalry. Tiny in scale among pieced and sewn examples, the flag displays a star pattern that consists of a three consecutive wreaths, with a single star in the very center. Because it lacks a single star in each corner, outside the basic pattern—usually present in flags of this design made during the mid-late 19th century—this is something I classify as a “snowball medallion.” Entirely hand-sewn throughout, note the square format of the blue canton, with its beautiful, circular star arrangement, and how interesting this combination is when paired with the elongated format of the flag itself. The stars are double-appliqued, meaning that they are applied to both sides. These are fat in shape and inconsistent in size. Note how the lowest star in the outermost ring actually dips into the white stripe below. Made of plain weave cotton, there is a narrow binding along the hoist, red in color, with three sets of cotton ties. Those at the top and bottom are made of fine, braided hemp or hemp and cotton cord, stitched into place, while the one in the center, looped around the binding and tied, is made of lightweight, twisted, cotton thread. Note how the 5th, 6th, and 7th red stripes are pieced from two lengths of cotton fabric, which reflects that the maker was being conscious of conserving available fabric. In the 19th century, most flags with pieced and sewn construction were 8 feet long and larger. A six-footer was considered small. Even military battle flags, carried on foot, measured 6’ x 6.5’, which translates into approximately 7’ x 7.5’ after framing, about the size of an average quilt and larger than can comfortably fit on a wall in a house with 8-foot ceilings and average width baseboard. Flags smaller than this exist, but the smaller they get, the more unusual they are. At just 1.5’ x 3’, this is about as small as one will ever encounter in a sewn flag of the Civil War era. The flag appears to have likely been hand-carried. I expect that it probably saw military use of some sort as a camp flag...

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...

MERINO SHEEP WEATHERVANE, THE VERY BEST OF ITS KIND AND WITH PERHAPS THE BEST SURFACE THAT EXISTS ON SURVIVING EXAMPLES, ATTRIBUTED TO A.J. HARRIS & CO., BOSTON, circa 1875 This fan...

36 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH CANTED STARS IN DANCING ROWS, ON A BEAUTIFUL, CORNFLOWER BLUE CANTON; CIVIL WAR ERA, NEVADA STATEHOOD, 1864-1867 36 star antique American f...

13 STARS IN THE BETSY ROSS PATTERN, ON A VINTAGE AMERICAN FLAG, MADE BY THE ANNIN COMPANY OF NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY, circa 1955 - 1965 13 star American national flag, made entirely of cotton by the Annin Company of New York & New Jersey, in the period between approximately 1955-1965. The stars are arranged in the circular wreath pattern most often associated with Betsy Ross. Flags in this design are widely admired, due to the longstanding popularity of the Ross family myth. While many Americans were taught in grammar school that this was what our first flag looked like, there is, unfortunately, no way to substantiate the claim, and no colonial flags...