| 40 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG, AN EXTREMELY RARE COUNT REFLECTING THE ADDITION OF SOUTH & NORTH DAKOTA ON NOVEMBER 2ND, 1889, ACCURATE FOR JUST 6 DAYS; WITH OVERPRINTED ADVERTISING FOR A CIVIL WAR VERTERN’S UNIT IN GEORGETOWN, MASSACHUSETTS; ILLUSTRATED IN “THE STARS & STRIPES: FABRIC OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT” by RICHARD PIERCE (2005); EXHIBITED JUNE- SEPT., 2021 AT THE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION |
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| Web ID: | 40j-804 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 22" x 27.5" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 12" x 16" |
| Description: | |
| 40 star American national parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. During the 3rd quarter of the 19th century, it was eventually clear –for financial and political reasons—that the Dakota Territory would be divided into two different states when it entered the Union. When the Western Territories were about to be added, there was a great deal of maneuvering to see which state would be first. Flag makers had to anticipate how many stars were needed to update the next flag that they would produce. The 40 star flag was made to commemorate both North and South Dakota, our 39th and 40th states, that entered on the same day of November 2nd, 1889. Because Montana was admitted on November 8th, the 40 star flag became inaccurate almost immediately. There were actually numerous flags produced with unofficial star counts, but this variant was accurate for just 6 days and is a rare example. Note how the stars of the flag have elongated arms and strong folk attributes. Oriented in various directions on their vertical axis, with arms intertwined, note how this contributes to an especially bold visual presentation. The following text is overprinted in the striped field, in four different fonts, in various sizes and styles: Everett Peabody Post No. 108 G.A.R. Gerogetown, Mass. This is one of just two flags in the 40 star count, which display an array of stars equal to the number of states at the time when they were produced, that display overprinted advertising. Both are alike. This exact flag was illustrated on page 44 of "The Stars & The Stripes: Fabric of the American Spirit" by J. Richard Pierce (2005). Born is Springfield, Massachusetts, Everette Peabody (1830-1862) was a Harvard graduate. When the Civil War broke out, he was employed by the Platt County railroad in the Border State of Missouri. A Union loyalist, Peabody was appointed Colonel of the 13th Missouri Volunteer Infantry (Union) on September 1st of the war’s opening year, 1861. Posted to garrison duty at Lexington, MO, the unit took an active part in the First Battle of Lexington, where Peabody was hit by a spent bullet in the chest. Painful, if not serious, he was being carried from the field on a stretcher when he was struck a second time, in the foot. The combination of the two gunshot wounds would incapacitate Peabody for several weeks, during which time he and the remainder of the garrison were taken prisoner, after Union surrender took place on September 20th. Peabody was officially exchanged in December, 1861. Since the 13th was reformed after its capture, Peabody went about rebuilding his former regiment after its release, at which time it was re-designated as the 25th Missouri. Richard Pierce notes the following information concerning Everett Peabody: “Colonel Everett Peabody commanded a brigade on the western flank of Grant's army at the battle of Shiloh. Fearing a Confederate attack, Peabody sent a reconnaissance force to strengthen their position, ordering his men to hold their ground if the enemy were encountered. Acting on his own, he helped to provide a warning to the Union Army in time to prepare for the coming onslaught. When the Confederates were engaged, Peabody and the rest of the brigade joined the battle. He was mortally wounded, but his heroic action surprised the enemy and eventually led to their surrender.” He goes on to add: “A Harvard graduate, Everett Peabody is among 136 alumni who gave their lives on behalf of the Union cause and are so honored in Harvard's Memorial Hall”. Founded in 1866, the G.A.R., or Grand Army of the Republic, was the primary veteran’s association for the Union Army. The Everett Peabody post also used flags with 42 stars in the same exact size and style. I had the great privilege of owning the only identified example in that count, as well as the other 40 star example. Provenance: Jeff R. Bridgman Antiques to collector Richard Pierce (early 2000’s); Illustrated in “The Stars & The Stripes” by Pierce (2005); Exhibited from June 12th – September 6th, 2021 at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, in an exhibit entitled “Flags & Founding Documents,” the flag portion of this curated by Jeff Bridgman. Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples. The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, that was washed and treated for colorfastness. The mount was placed in a shadowbox depth molding with a step-down profile molding and a finish that is a very dark brown in color, nearly black, with reddish highlights and undertones. To this a gilded molding of exceptional quality and color, with a traditional American profile, was added as a liner. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Condition: There are obvious pigment losses and significant fading. There is modest to significant soiling and some spotting. There are minor holes and losses in the white areas of the fabric in various areas, accompanied by an occurrence of modest loss in the first white stripe, and modest to moderate in the last white stripe. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use. The rarity of this example, overprinted, with its documentation in the Pierce text and its exhibition history, well warrant its condition. The flag presents beautifully, in spite of the above. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything |
| Flag Type: | Parade flag |
| Star Count: | 40 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1889 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1889 |
| State/Affiliation: | South Dakota |
| War Association: | 1861-1865 Civil War |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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