Views: 6007 Inv. Number: 13j-945 Available: In Stock Frame Size (H x L): 46" x 82" Flag Size (H x L): n/a Description: 13 STARS, BETSY ROSS PATTERN, AMERICAN FLAG COMPANY, NEW YORK & CHICAGO, RARE LARGE SIZE: 13 star American national flag with Betsy Ross-style wreath configuration. The flag is made of machine-sewn of wool bunting with double-appliqued cotton stars and there is a cotton sleeve with two brass grommets. The stars are applied with a zigzag stitch, which came into use around 1890 and was the most common method of applying stars from about 1895 throughout most of the 20th century. There is a label that reads: "AMERICAN FLAG COMPANY, Manufacturers, New York - Chicago". The American Flag Company was in business as early as the 1876 centennial of our nation's independence and possibly prior. This particular flag was probably made between the Spanish-American War and the Sesquicentennial (our nation's 150th anniversary) in 1926. The presence of the label is quite rare, as-is the large size of this Betsy Ross pattern flag and the tall and narrow Navy blue canton that houses its 13 stars. Most sewn flags in this pattern are between 4 and 5 feet long and quite common if they are commercially manufactured, but examples larger than six feet are almost never seen. While we are taught in grammar school that this was what our first flag looked like, there is unfortunately no way to prove the claim. No colonial examples have survived with this pattern of stars. In fact, I have never seen a Betsy Ross pattern flag made prior to the 1890's. It was during this time that Betsy Ross' grand daughter (Rachel Albright) and great grand daughter (Sarah M. Wilson) operated a cottage industry in the East Wing of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, making hand-sewn flags for tourists. They proudly claimed that this was what the first flag looked like, but no hard evidence exists to substantiate it. 13 star flags have been used throughout our Nation's history for a variety of purposes. The U.S. Navy used the 13 star count on small boats, not only in the 18th century, but throughout much or all of the 19th century, particularly the second half. The practice ended in 1916 following an executive order from President Woodrow Wilson. Some private ships also used 13 star flags during the same period as the Navy, and the use of yachting ensigns with a wreath of 13 stars surrounding an anchor still persists today. Among other uses, 13 star flags were carried by soldiers during the Mexican and Civil Wars, and were used at patriotic events, including Lafayette's visit in 1825-26, the celebration of the Nation's Centennial in 1876, and the Sesquicentennial in 1926. Mounting: the flag has not yet been mounted. Condition: There is minor mothing but there are no serious condition issues. Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts Flag Type: Sewn flag Star Count: 13 Earliest Date of Origin: 1898 Latest Date of Origin: 1926 State/Affiliation: 13 Original Colonies War Association: Price: Please email or call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 E-mail: Email Question