U.S. 13 Stars Flag, Commemorative Centennial 1876

U.S. 13 Stars Flag, Single ring of 10 & three center stars, Commemorative Historic Centennial Pattern, 1876.
Although the 13-star United States flag technically was official only between 14 June 1777 and 1 May 1795, it has been in continuous use ever since in honor of the original 13 colonies. The containment of three stars in this circle pattern it is believed to once have had symbolic meaning beyond its representation of states in this 18th century pattern design which has been lost to history. This particular flag, is thought to date from the centennial celebration of 1876. The triangular star arrangement within the circle of stars may refer to the unfinished pyramid on the reverse of the U.S. coat of arms. Alternative suggestions include the three branches of the Federal government or that it may be a religious symbol indicative of the Holy Trinity.

The machine sewing clearly reveals a later date than the initial period of the use of 13 stars. This flag was likely made for the 1876 Centennial.

As previously mentioned, as the canton of this flag demonstrates, the manner of arranging thirteen stars in the blue field is subject to a variety of interpretations. Why the makers of this flag placed three stars within the ring of ten defies interpretation. The flag is definitely of commercial manufacture, as the 5 x 8 marking on the cotton canvas heading refers to manufacturer's standard size measurements, 60" hoist by 96" fly, to which sizes this flag conforms.

American Maritime Flags of the 19th Century
Ships and coastal installations (both governmental and private) require flags that could be identified from great distances. Recognition was achieved during the nineteenth century by providing these vessels and facilities with flags that were especially large.

Generally speaking, a large flag is one that is too unwieldy to be carried by one person if the flag is attached to a staff meant to be carried by single individual. Until 1854 in the British Army, and until 1895 in the American Army, military colors carried by units on foot were made of silk and measured no more than 6 feet on the staff by 6 feet 6 inches on the fly. Those dimensions an individual on a staff deemed essentially a flag with an area encompassing slightly more than four square yards of cloth the maximum size for transport. This flags exceeds those parameters.

Due to the size, large flags such as this one are difficult to display and are seldom sought by collectors.
Museums often relegate them to perpetual storage.

note: technically, ZFC0604 and ZFC0605 were not part of the original Mastai collection; however, they were offered though Sotheby's in the same sale of 10 October 2002.

Exhibition History:

Moraga Room Flag Label - 2003
(ZFC0605)
Thirteen-Star, United States Flag Date: About 1876-1893

Special Memorial Day Display
Suspended from ceiling of Moraga Room.
Presidio of San Francisco's Officers Club
Memorial Day 2003

Chicago Meeting December, 2003
(ZFC0605)
13-Star United States Flag
Date: Circa 1870s

Baltimore Star Spangled Banner Flag House 3/2004
(ZFC0605)
13-Star United States Flag

Presidential Debate
Washington University at St. Louis
October 2004
(ZFC0605)

Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0605) in 2002 by auction at Sotheby's of New York City.

ZFC Significant Flag