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  31 STARS PLUS A "K" FOR BLEEDING KANSAS, AN EXTRAORDINARILY UNUSUAL FORM OF POLITICAL SYMBOLISM ON AN EARLY STARS & STRIPES, PRE-CIVIL WAR, CALIFORNIA STATEHOOD, 1850-1858

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L):
Flag Size (H x L): 64" x 126"
Description....:
31 STARS PLUS A "K" FOR BLEEDING KANSAS, AN EXTRAORDINARILY UNUSUAL FORM OF POLITICAL SYMBOLISM ON AN EARLY STARS & STRIPES, PRE-CIVIL WAR, CALIFORNIA STATEHOOD, 1850-1858:

This 31 star American national flag contains a feature unlike any other known example. The double-appliqued stars are arranged in rectilinear rows, but a letter "K" stands at the end of the first row as a 32nd character. Logic suggests that this stood for the Kansas Territory, the related politics of which were in heated debate in the mid-1850's, when there were 31 states. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which prohibited slavery north of the 36 degree, 30' north parallel. This allowed for the potential for slavery to be legalized in the two territories, deferring the decision to the residents of the two would-be states.

As tension grew over the slavery issue, civil war broke out within the Kansas Territory. Slave owners and abolitionists fought with one-another for control of the would-be state. This led to the formation of the anti-slavery, Republican Party. The leading Republican newspaper belonged to Horace Greely of New York, who coined the phrase, "Bleeding Kansas".

Whether or not the maker of this unusual flag was in favor of or opposed to the slavery issue is not known, but what is apparent is that he/she was in favor of Kansas statehood. It is interesting to note that the Minnesota Territory joined the Union as the 32nd state in 1858, followed by the Oregon Territory in 1859. Both became states before Kansas was finally admitted as a Free State in January of 1861, shortly after the election of the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln in November of 1860, and shortly before South Carolina fired on Fort Sumter and began the American Civil War, in April.

California became the 31st state in 1850, ushered in on the heels of the 1849 Gold Rush. The 31 star flag became official on July 4th, 1851, and remained so until July 3rd, 1858. Flags made prior to the Civil War are extremely rare, comprising less than one percent of 19th century flags that exist in the 21st century. Prior to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, the Stars & Stripes was simply not used for most of the same purposes we employ it in today. Private individuals did not typically display the flag in their yards and on their porches. Parade flags didn't often fly from carriages and horses. Places of business rarely hung flags in their windows. Private use of the national flag rose swiftly during the patriotism that surrounded the Civil War, then exploded in 1876.

Even the military did not use the flag in a manner that most people might think. Most people would be surprised to learn that the infantry wasn't authorized to carry the Stars & Stripes until the 1830's, and even then did not often exercise the right, because it was neither required nor customary. The primary purpose before the Mexican War (1846-48) was to mark ships on the open seas. While the flag was used to mark garrisons and government buildings, the flags of ground troops were often limited to the flag of their own regiment and a federal standard, which was a blue flag with an eagle serving as its central device under an arch of stars.

Construction: The stripes and canton of the flag are made of wool bunting and are entirely hand-sewn. The stars and letter "K" are made of cotton, hand-sewn, and double-appliqued. There is a hand-sewn, cotton sleeve, into which metal rings were inserted for hoisting.

Mounting: The flag has not yet been mounted. We employ professional staff with masters degrees in textile conservation and can attend to all of your mounting and framing needs.

Condition: There are various expected losses and tears from obvious use, particularly at the fly end corners. There is foxing, staining, and fading throughout. White silk organza was stitched to the back of some of these areas as a means of support, so we could more safely handle the flag until the time it is conserved.
Collector Level: Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 31
Earliest Date of Origin: 1850
Latest Date of Origin: 1858
State/Affiliation: California
War Association: 1777-1860 Pre-Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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