Views: 3828 Inv. Number: 34j-843 Available: Sold Frame Size (H x L): n/a Flag Size (H x L): 64" x 111" Description: 34 STARS, 1861-63, CIVIL WAR PERIOD, HAND-SEWN, SINGLE-APPLIQUED STARS WITH SCATTERED POSITIONING: 34 star American national flag with large stars that are beautifully appliqued on a navy blue canton. Note how the stars have irregular shapes and point in various directions. They are haphazardly arranged in five rows of six, with an odd column of four stars to the left, at the hoist end. These facts lend a great folk quality to the overall design. Also adding to its visual appeal is the golden brown oxidation of the rather large, cotton stars and the beautiful manner of their hand-stitching. The stars are hand-sewn and single-appliqued. This means that a star is applied to one side of the canton only, then a cutout is made in the blue wool, which is under-hemmed so that the single star can be viewed on both sides. I prefer single applique work because it almost always lends to stars that have more whimsical shapes, and this flag is no exception. The canton is pieced from two lengths of wool bunting, which are joined with a hand-stitched seam. The canton is hand-sewn to the wool bunting stripes, which are pieced with treadle-stitching. There is a treadle-sewn, cotton sleeve with a brass grommet at the top and bottom for hoisting. The flag was probably cottage industry made and its nine-foot plus length indicates that the intended purpose was probably for use on a ship or government building. Private use of the flag by ordinary citizens had not been popular before the Civil War, so its use was not yet widespread. Flags were commercially available in much greater numbers, however, and private use was gaining popularity during the patriotic fervor brought about by the war. Anyone who possessed the means could buy one and fly it. Kansas was admitted into the Union as the 34th state on January 29th, 1861, about 2½ months before the Confederate assault on Fort Sumter that marked the beginning of the Civil War. The 34th star was officially added on July 4th of that year, but most flag makers would have added a 34th star with the addition of Kansas in January. The star count remained official until July 4th, 1863, and 34 star flags would have been produced until the addition of West Virginia in June of that year. Mounting: The flag has been not yet been mounted. Condition: There is some loss at the top and bottom of the fly end from wind shear. There are minor tears and holes elsewhere, but these are limited and it is in an excellent state of preservation for a wool flag of this period, especially in such a large size. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, flags were generally used outdoors. So unlike quilts and samplers, which were often made, given as gifts, and framed or put away carefully for safe-keeping, we expect flags to show some history of outdoor use. This is one reason why many collectors actually prefer flags to show their age. Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts Flag Type: Sewn flag Star Count: 34 Earliest Date of Origin: 1863 Latest Date of Origin: 1865 State/Affiliation: Kansas War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War Price: SOLD E-mail: Email Question