U.S. 13 Star Flag - early all cotton flag.

13 Star U.S. Flag - early all cotton flag, naval or maritime.
While first sold at an auction as a 13-star ship's flag from the American Revolution and early Federal period 1776-1798, in fact, upon examination by a textile expert it was concluded that the materials were all available in the 18th century and the construction techniques used can be dated to the 18th century. Further research revealed that another flag in the ZFC collection ZFC0423, an all-cotton 16 star flag, shared many characteristics with this flag suggesting that the same Philadelphia-based maker may have manufactured both flags. Since this particular flag had no provenance when purchased it is important to consider its sister 16 star flag's provenance for clues which might help to accurately date it.

This flag bears several remarkable similarities to the previously mentioned 16 star flag also contained in the ZFC collection. Both flags evidence similar production techniques: they are made entirely of cotton; arrange their stars in a circular fashion around a larger central star; they have relatively small cantons resting on a red stripe and they use the method of attaching the flag to a staff or halyard by way of a number of metal rings sewn to the cotton heading. In addition, since the sixteen-star flag is sewn with a thread that has been dated to no earlier than 1840, it is likely that this flag dates from the same decade. At least two militia flags made during the War with Mexico also display their stars in a circle around a central star, indicating that this flag may date from the same period.

The 16 star flag ZFC0423 provenance is well documented as having been the property of the Vaux family, a notable family in Philadelphia during the 18th and 19th centuries. Records indicate that the flag was gifted to the Academy of Natural Science in Philadelphia in 1812, testifying that the flag was constructed in the late 18th century or the early 19th century - no later than 1803 when a 17th star was added to the national flag (though unofficially as the 15 star flag was the official flag at that time). It was customary, however, to add a star for each new state throughout the duration of officially 15 star flags. The flag eventually ended up in the Star Spangled Banner Collection in the early part of the 20th century.

Another significant feature of the 16 star flag in relation to this flag is the use of cotton. It proves that early US flags were sometimes made of cotton which at that time would have been a luxury - this period preceded the advent of the cotton gin which made the material a cheap commodity. Making a flag out of cotton during this period would have been a statement, e.g. the use of an expensive, durable fabric for an important symbol such as the country's flag.

This 13 star flag warrants further study and analysis because new research conducted after the flag's exhibition in San Francisco indicates that this star pattern potentially dates back to the revolution - when one of the flags captured by the British cavalry officer Banastre Tarleton had this pattern of stars on one of three flags captured at the Battle of Waxhaws, South Carolina 1780. Therefore, what we once believed to be a flag from the 1840s, in fact has attributes which possibly place it as far back as the late 1770s, making it a unique original 13 star flag from is the Federalist period and possibly the Revolution against Great Britain.

Exhibition History:
First Presidio Exhibit
Thirteen-Star, United States Flag
Date: Approximately 1845-1850

Publication History:
Madaus, Howard M., Dr. Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz VZ Publications, 2006, pg. 18-19.

Provenance:
• Sold via Cowan's Auction, Cincinnati, Ohio, to the Zaricor Flag Collection, 1996.



ZFC Significant Flag
Item is Framed

Sources

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Madaus, Howard M.- Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict, VZ Publications, Santa Cruz, 2006, p. 18-19.

Goody, Rabbit, ZFC1495 Analysis Notes, examination and research for Ben Zaricor, April 2009, Zaricor Flag Collection Archives

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection

Hoist & Fly
Width of Hoist	105
Length of Fly	69

Union/Canton
Width of Union/Canton	39
Length of Union/Canton	33

Stars
Comments on Star Measurements	There is a large star in the center of the flag that measures 8.25" in contrast with the other stars that measure 5.25"
Size of Stars	5.25

Stripes
Width of 1st Stripe	5.25
Width of 3rd Stripe	5.25
Width of 8th Stripe	5.75
Width of Last Stripe	5.5
Size of Hoist	1

Frame
Is it framed?	yes
Frame Height	72
Frame Length	112

Stars
Number of Stars	13
How are the stars embeded?	Double Applique
Are there stars on obverse?	yes
Are there stars on reverse?	yes
Comments on Stars	Compare with ZFC0423 for design motif
Star Pattern	Single Ring of eight stars, with large center star and four corner stars.

Stripes
Number of Stripes	13
Color of Top Stripe	Red
Color of Bottom Stripe	Red
Has a Blood Stripe?	yes
Comments on Stripes	7th stripe is 5.25"

Nationality
Nation Represented	United States

Fabric
Fabric	Cotton
Comments on Fabric	Flag is entirely made of cotton.

Stitching
Stitching	Hand

Thread
Type of Thread	Combination of Threads
Thread Material	Cotton
Comments on Thread Material	Sewn with a thread that has been dated to a period later than the 1840s.
Field Thread	Hand Spun

Weave
Type of Weave	Plain

Attachment
Comments on Method of Attachmen	Method of attaching the flag to the staff or halyard consist of a number of metal rings sewn to the cotton heading.
Method of Attachment	Rings

Applica
Applique Sides	Single Faced = Mirror Image Reverse

Documentation
Documents
Public Copy & Signs

Condition
Condition	Fair
Damage	Used, worn, many losses; the flag is deteriorated and contains some holes and flaws.
Displayable	yes

Date
Date	1780s

Exhibits

Exhibition Copy

Exhibition History First Presidio Exhibit (ZFC1495) THIRTEEN-STAR, UNITED STATES FLAG Date: Probably about 1845-1850 Medium: Cotton; hand sewn Comment: This flag bears several remarkable similarities to a sixteen star flag also in this exhibit (Gallery III). Both flags are made completely of cotton; both flags arrange their stars in a circle around a larger center star; in both flags the canton is relatively small and rests on a red stripe; and on both flags the means of attaching the flag to a staff or halyard consist of a number of metal rings sewn to the cotton heading. Because so many similar production techniques are shared by both flags, it has been suggested that they were both made by the same Philadelphia maker. However, because the sixteen-star flag is sewn with a thread that so far has been dated no earlier than 1840, it is likely that this flag dates from the same decade. At least two militia flags made during the War with Mexico also display their stars in a circle around a central star, and this flag may date from the same period. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1495) in 1996 from the Wesley Cowan auction of Cincinnati, OH. Presidio Exhibit Gallery One Copy - 2003 ZFC1495 13-Star United States Flag Date: About 1845-1850 Medium: Cotton; hand-sewn Comment: This flag bears several remarkable similarities to a 16-star flag shown at the beginning of Gallery II. Both flags are made completely of cotton; both arrange their stars in a circle around a larger center star; in both the canton is relatively small and rests on a red stripe. Moreover, each flag was once secured to any halyard used to hoist them by means of ties sewn to or attached through the rings along the cotton heading. Because of their many similar production techniques, it has been suggested that they were both made by the same Philadelphia maker. However, the 16-star flag is sewn with a thread that-so far-has been dated no earlier than 1840 and it is therefore likely that this flag dates from the same decade. At least two militia flags made during the War with Mexico also display their stars in a circle around a central star and this flag may date from the same period. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1495) in 1996 from Wesley Cowan Auction of Cincinnati, OH. Zaricor Flag Collection Copy written by Flag Center Exhibition Curator Howard M. Madaus.

Publications

Publication Copy

Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, pp. 18-19. 13-Star United States Flag This flag is made completely of cotton-with its stars arranged in a circle around a larger center star. The canton is relatively small and rests on a red stripe. Moreover, this flag was once secured to a halyard used to hoist it by means of ties sewn to or attached through the rings along the cotton heading. Because of its many similar production techniques, it has been suggested that it was made by a Philadelphia maker. It is likely that this flag dates from no earlier than 1840, but it may be earlier. At least two militia flags made during the War with Mexico also display their stars in a circle around a central star and this flag may date from the same period. James K. Polk was U.S. president under more versions of the Stars & Stripes than any other president. There were 26 stars when he was inaugurated in March 1845 and new flags with additional stars to honor new states were created that year (for Florida's admission) as well as in 1846, 1847, and 1848 (for the admission of Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin.) Date: About 1845 - 1850 Size: 69" hoist x 105" fly Medium: Cotton; hand-sewn Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 1996 from Wesley Cowan Auction of Cincinnati, OH. ZFC1495"