Early Silk 13-Star American Flag

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American History: Live Salesroom Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

Nov 17, 2017 - Nov 18, 2017

Set Reminder 2017-11-17 10:00:00 2017-11-18 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History: Live Salesroom Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-live-salesroom-auction-2769
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• Lot Description

  Silk, hand-sewn flag, 30.25 x 39 in., constructed in the pattern of a US national color with 13 five pointed stars applied to each side of the canton. The stars are constructed of gold leaf with a .0625 in. white painted trim, and arranged in a circle of eight, with one in the center and one in each corner of the canton. Each star measures approx. 2.25 in. from point to point. The canton is constructed of one piece of blue silk measuring 12 x 13.875 in., inserted into the rest of the fly with a single ply blue thread. The fly consists of 13 red and white stripes constructed of red and white 2.5 in. wide silk ribbon. The stripes are joined with hand-sewn flat fell seams using a 2ply S white silk thread. On the obverse side, the resulting red stripes measure 2.375 in. width, and the white 2.25 in. 

  Any method of attachment on the leading edge is entirely missing. The fabric down the height of the leading edge is torn indicating there was additional fabric that was torn off, most likely a pole sleeve. The fly end is turned to the obverse, forming a .175 in. hem hand sewn with a 3/2 S cotton thread. Because the fly end was sewn with a different thread, it may have been sewn at a different time.

  The flag comes with a custom-made wooden display case measuring 34 x 42 in.

  Accompanied by a 1992 materials analysis report from Fonda Thomsen, Director, Textile Preservation Associates, Inc., in which Thomsen addresses the flag's construction, stating, in part, "The use of gold leaf stars with a painted border is commonly found on silk flags from the Civil War period. The use of silk ribbon in the construction of stripes has been documented by our laboratory as early as 1775..." She also discusses the flag's uncommon star arrangement, which she found to be used in other examples of 13-star flags dating from the late 18th century.

  The report concludes: "The materials suggest the period of origin could range from the late 18th century to the mid 19th century. The pattern suggests a possible 18th or 19th century period of construction."

  The provenance of the 13-star flag is as follows, as per typed note from consignor: Descended in the family of James Warner (1817-1869), inventor of the Civil War Warner carbine (with family roots dating back to 1637 to a Wilson Warner of Ipswich, MA) to James Warner's great grandson, Dave Warner, a long-time flag collector; acquired by an Indiana collector; acquired by private collector (consignor) in 1985. When first examined, the flag was accompanied by a hand-written note saying "Rev. War Flag," which was later misplaced when the flag was professionally framed; consigned by private collector. 

  Very few flags remain from the late 18th century, making this a rare survivor.

  Condition

  A copy of the materials analysis is available upon request. 

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• Shipping Info

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