Obverse
Obverse
Obverse Zoom
Book Photo
"Flags of the Principle Nations of the World" 1837
Sub-collection: Flag Posters"Flags of the Principle Nations of the World", 1837. Philadelphia, Published by S.A. Mitchell, 1837. This hand colored print is typical of charts used by sea captains, ship chandlers and others to identify the nationality of ships encountered at sea. Notable is the inclusion of the Republic of Texas as an independent nation.
This is a chart used by sea captains to identify the nationality of ships encountered at sea. Entitled, "The Flags of the Principal Nations of the World," it was made with printed copper engraving, hand colored, and was published in Philadelphia in 1837. Of special interest is its showing of Texas as a separate "nation," represented by its naval ensign of 13 alternating red and white stripes and a blue canton bearing a single star. The more familiar Lone Star Texas flag, now flown as the Texas state flag, was not adopted until 1839.
The principal use of flags during the 18th and the early 19th centuries was to identify the nationality of a ship at sea. To this end, hand-colored charts of the mercantile and naval flags of the world's nations were necessary for maritime commanders. Publishers utilizing this copper engraving process would hand-color their prints for customers willing to pay extra.
Publication History:
Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 47.
Exhibition History:
First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC0277)
"The Flags of the Principal Nations of the World" Flag Chart , 1837.
Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 GALLERY III
(ZFC0277)
"The Flags of the Principal Nations of the World" Flag Chart , 1837.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0277) in 1995 from a rare book dealer in San Francisco, CA.
ZFC Significant Flag
Item is Framed
Hoist & Fly | |
|---|---|
| Width of Hoist | 22 |
| Length of Fly | 18 |
Frame | |
|---|---|
| Is it framed? | yes |
| Frame Height | 18 |
| Frame Length | 31 |
Stars | |
|---|---|
| Are there stars on obverse? | no |
| Are there stars on reverse? | no |
Stripes | |
|---|---|
| Has a Blood Stripe? | no |
Nationality | |
|---|---|
| Nation Represented | United States |
Documentation | |
|---|---|
| Documents |
All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
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| 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 |
  |
Condition | |
|---|---|
| Condition | Good |
| Damage | Used |
| Displayable | no |
Date | |
|---|---|
| Date | 1837 |
Exhibits | |
|---|---|
| Exhibition Copy | First Presidio Exhibit Exhibition History First Presidio Exhibit (ZFC0277) The Flags of the Principal Nations of the World Flag Chart Date: 1837 Media: Copper engraving with hand coloring Comment: The Flags of the Principal Nations of the World (Philadelphia, 1837) copper engraving with hand coloring. Note that Texas is shown as a nation but with its naval ensign instead of the Lone Star flag. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0277) in 1995 from a rare book dealer in San Francisco, CA. Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 GALLERY III (ZFC0277) The Flags of the Principal Nations of the World Flag Chart Date: 1837 Media: Copper engraving with hand coloring Comment: The principal use of flags during the 18th and the early 19th centuries was to identify the nationality of a ship at sea. To this end, hand-colored charts of the merchant and naval flags of the worlds nations were prepared for the use of sea captains. This example, The Flags of the Principal Nations of the World, was printed in Philadelphia in 1837 utilizing the copper engraving process. It was then hand-colored for customers willing to pay extra. Note that Texas, shown as a separate nation, is represented by its naval ensign of 13 alternating red and white stripes and a blue canton bearing a single star. The more familiar Lone Star Texas national flag, now serving as the Texas state flag, was not adopted until 1839. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0277) in 1995 from a rare book dealer in San Francisco, CA. |
Publications | |
|---|---|
| Publication Copy | Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 47. The Flags of the Principal Nations of the World Flag Chart The principal use of flags during the 18th and the early 19th centuries was to identify the nationality of a ship at sea. To this end, hand-colored charts of the merchant and naval flags of the worlds nations were prepared for the use of sea captains. This example,The Flags of the Principal Nations of the World, was printed in Philadelphia in 1837 utilizing the copper engraving process. It was then hand-colored for customers willing to pay extra. Note that Texas, shown as a separate nation, is represented by its naval ensign of 13 alternating red and white stripes and a blue canton bearing a single star. The more familiar Lone Star Texas national flag, now serving as the Texas state flag, was not adopted until 1839. Date:1837 Size:18" wide x 22" long Media:Copper engraving with hand coloring |