33 Star U.S. Flag converted into a 34 star flag.

34 Star U.S. Flag - conversion from a 33 star flag, 1863.
This large, wool, single-appliqué 34 star flag was professionally made. Although it bears no makers mark, it is marked with a "15", presumably the size of the fly. This flag dates from 1859, and was originally a 33-star flag with the stars arranged in horizontal rows of 7-6-7-6-7.

Flags of 33 stars became current upon the admission of the State of Oregon in 1859, saw the start of the Civil War, and would remain official until the accession of Kansas in late 1861. The incredible demand for flags during the Civil War caused many businesses and individuals to convert their flags to an up-to-date star count. This particular flag was converted by someone other than the original maker. The 34th star is double- appliqué but applied perhaps more hastily than the original stars. The large size of this flag would almost certainly preclude personal use and was most likely used by a business or institution.

The conversion of flags by the addition of stars to an existing flag was a common practice in the 19th century, and was commonly practiced in order to make use of what materials people had on hand. They are indicative of American traits of ingenuity and thrift.

Provenance:
• Sold via Cowan's Auction, Cincinnati, Ohio, to the Zaricor Flag Collection, 2005.


ZFC Significant Flag

Sources:

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33 Star Flag - (1859-1861) (U.S.), Wikipedia, 14 December 2011, from:
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-1859.html

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection

Hoist & Fly
Width of Hoist	112
Length of Fly	170

Union/Canton
Width of Union/Canton	60.5
Length of Union/Canton	82

Stars
Comments on Star Measurements	Average size for the original stars is 8.5", the conversion star is only 8"
Size of Stars	8.5

Stripes
Width of 1st Stripe	9
Width of 3rd Stripe	8.75
Width of 8th Stripe	8.75
Width of Last Stripe	8.
Size of Hoist	1.5

Frame
Is it framed?	no

Stars
Number of Stars	34
Are there stars on obverse?	no
Are there stars on reverse?	no
Comments on Stars	Hand-sewn single-appliqué.
Star Pattern	7-6-7-6-7 horizontal rows with an additional star between the two bottom rows on the hoist side.

Stripes
Number of Stripes	13
Color of Top Stripe	Red
Color of Bottom Stripe	Red
Has a Blood Stripe?	no

Nationality
Nation Represented	United States

Fabric
Fabric	Wool

Stitching
Stitching	Combination
Comments on Stitching	Hand & Machine stitching

Weave
Type of Weave	Plain

Attachment
Method of Attachment	Grommets

Applica
Applique Sides	Single Faced = Mirror Image Reverse

Documentation
Documents	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
Drawings	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
Research Documents	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
Public Copy & Signs	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.

Condition
Condition	Good
Damage	Flag is used, worn and patched.
Displayable	yes

Date
Date	1859/1861