Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
Sold Flags



  31 STARS, 1850-1858, CALIFORNIA STATEHOOD, FOUND IN THE HOME OF A SOLDIER THAT FOUGHT WITH CHAMBERLAIN AND THE 20TH MAINE VOLUNTEERS AT GETTYSBURG, FANTASTIC MAKE-DO DESIGN WITH RIBBON STRIPES & APPLIED PANEL WITH PAINTED EAGLE

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 47" x 70.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 35" x 58.5"
Description....:
31 STARS, 1850-1858, CALIFORNIA STATEHOOD, FOUND IN THE HOME OF A SOLDIER THAT FOUGHT WITH CHAMBERLAIN AND THE 20TH MAINE VOLUNTEERS AT GETTYSBURG, FANTASTIC MAKE-DO DESIGN WITH RIBBON STRIPES & APPLIED PANEL WITH PAINTED EAGLE:

31 star American national flag, found in a house in Embden (central), Maine, and sewn from necessity in the mid-19th century. Seven varieties of silk, six of them dressmaker's ribbon, are sewn to a single width of white muslin to form 13 stripes, which, unlike most flags, start on white and end on white. This is a very rare and highly desired trait in flag collecting. The color of the silk varies from red to salmon to pink to crimson and it is obvious that the maker used what little red-toned fabric that was available in the household. The last red stripe is pieced in three sections, for example, with three different varieties of silk. Some of the fabrics have beautifully woven patterns. Most dates to the period between 1800 and 1850, though some could be 18th century.

The canton of the flag is made from a length of blue glazed cotton chintz. 31 stars with fat profiles were reverse-appliqued to the white background. In other words, they were pierced (cut) into the blue canton, so that the white shows through from behind to create the stars. The edges are then sewn down to complete the reverse applique. The small size of the flag is very important, being smaller than most of its 19th century counterparts and easier to display.

Perhaps the most endearing feature of this flag is the white cotton panel that is sewn next to the canton. On it, in black oil paint, is a spread-winged eagle with a shield upon its breast. The number of early American flags that have come available for private purchase which eagles incorporated in their primary design is extremely small, probably fewer than twenty. Of these, I know of about 9 that have sewn construction and the rest are printed flags.

In addition to the flags unusual construction and painted eagle, a couple other aspects are worthy of mention. Note that the stripes start and end on white (7 white and 6 red). This is unusual and a strong collector trait. Note also that the eagle is holding the olive branch in its right talon, symbolizing the time of peace our nation existed in during the 31 star era (1850-1858). The canton rests on a white stripe, as opposed to red, which generally confirms the peacetime symbolism in the eagle.

Another flag, obviously by the same maker, was found with this flag. It had 34 stars (1861-63, Civil War period), and the canton rested on a red stripe (the blood or war stripe). It also had a black painted eagle, but both talons held arrows, which is also a war-time characteristic. The discovery of these two flags, made by the same hand, is one of the most interesting displays of the use of symbolism in mid-19th century Stars and Stripes flags that I have come in contact with. And due to the very strong folk qualities present in this early make-do form, I find it to be one of the strongest visual designs that I have ever seen from an American folk art perspective.

The flag and its 34 star companion were discovered in a trunk in the eves of a house that had not been occupied in many years. It had once been the home of Corporal John William Morin, who served under Colonel Joshua Chamberlin in the famous 20th Maine regiment. Morin, a member of Company F from 1862-1863, fought at Gettysburg in the battle of Little Round Top, before being transferred to the Signal Corps later that year. The house was broken into and most of Morin's war-related objects were stolen, but the trunk was thankfully overlooked due to its hidden location.

Don't be fooled by the seemingly backwards orientation. In the 19th century, the same flag ethics that exist today (which developed around the turn-of-the-century), did not exist. So in the mid 19th century, this was every bit as correct as what we now think of as a "forwards" and ethical manner of display.

The 31st state, California, entered the Union on September 9th, 1850, immediately following the Gold Rush. The 31 star flag was official from 1851-1858. 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. This is partly because, prior to the Centennial, our flag 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 did not often fly from carriages and horses. Places of business rarely hung flags in their windows. Use of the Stars and Stripes for these purposes began to rise swiftly during the patriotism that surrounded the Civil War, but civilian use of the flag was not widespread until 1876.

Even the military did not use the flag in a manner that most people might think. The primary purpose before the Civil War was to mark ships on the open seas. While the flag was used to mark some garrisons, the flags of ground troops were often limited to the flag of their own regiment and a Federal standard. Most people would be surprised to learn that the infantry wasn't authorized to carry the Stars & Stripes until 1837, and even then did not often exercise the right, because it was neither required nor customary. It was not until the Civil War took place that most U.S. ground forces even bothered to carry the National Flag.

Mounting: The flag was stitched to 100% silk organza for support. It was then stitched to a high qulity, 100% wool background with a twill weave, black in color. The background fabric was washed to remove excess dye, and an acid-free agent was added to the wash to set the dye. The flag was then placed in a contemporary, black painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The front is u.v. protective plexiglas.

Condition: The condition of the flag is as near to its original state as can possibly be expected. There is very minor foxing and staining, minor break-down along the edges of the silk and minor fabric loss in the cotton.
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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