U.S. 36 Star Flag - Flank Marker.

U.S 36 Star Flag - Flank Marker, 1865.
Both the size and the fact that this flag is fringed suggest that this is a small flank marker made to indicate the location of an infantry regiments flanks when in line of battle or on parade. Although the star representing Nevada's statehood would not officially be added to the canton of the U.S. flag until July 4th, 1865, Nevada had become the nations thirty-sixth state eight months earlier, and a few flag manufacturers recognized that occasion and added its star to the flags they made in the waning days of the Civil War.

President Lincoln in a smart polical move, pressed Nevada's statehood just a mere 8 days before the Presidential election. Nevada's affluence in silver was appealing to a war debt struggling nation as well as it would increase support for the Republican ticket. The U.S. 36 star flag was substituted with the U.S. 37 star flag by the addition of Nebraska to the union in the year 1867.

This flag, is delicately made, suggesting that it may have been prepared for one of the unit participating in the Grand Review of the Union Army, which took place in Washington, D.C. on the 24th and 25th of May, 1865. Unfortunately no record survives of which unit carried it, or precisely when or where it was made.

The gold painted stars looks like they are made of leather or paper stars. Flag is with fringe of 1.75 inch width. These features indicates an important US Army flag used during the period of the Plains Indian War 1865 - 1875. Some stars are missing but the outline of the missing stars is clearly vissible. Unique specimen of the period. Circa 1865/66.

Exhibition History:
First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC0280)
36-Star United States Flag, Unit Flank Marker

Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 - Gallery III
(ZFC0280)
36-Star United States Flag, Unit Flank Marker

Publication History:
Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p.89.
36-Star United States Flag

Provenance:
• Sold at auction via James D. Julia Auctions, Portland, ME by the Zaricor Flag Collection, 1998.
Deaccessed at auction via Bonham's 21 November 2023, Auction #BOK23110NY, - 28447 -
Lot #106

Sources:

---

Bazelon, Bruce S., William F. McGuinn, A Directory of American Military Goods Dealers & Makers 1785 - 1915, Combined Edition, Manassas, REF Typesetting & Publishing Inc, 1999.

36 Star Flags, Flags of the World, 10 September 2012, from:
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-1865.html

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, National Park Service, 10 September 2012, from: http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/index.html

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection

Hoist & Fly
Width of Hoist	35
Length of Fly	17.5

Union/Canton
Width of Union/Canton	12
Length of Union/Canton	9.5

Stars
Comments on Star Measurements	Triple ring pattern

Stripes
Width of 1st Stripe	1.5
Width of 3rd Stripe	1.5
Width of 8th Stripe	1.5
Width of Last Stripe	1.5
Size of Hoist	0.25

Frame
Is it framed?	yes
Frame Height	28.5
Frame Length	43.75

Stars
Number of Stars	36
How are the stars embeded?	Applique
Are there stars on obverse?	yes
Are there stars on reverse?	yes
Comments on Stars	The gold painted stars looks like they are made of leather or paper stars. Flag is with fringe of 1.75 inch width. These features indicates an important US Army flag used during the period of the Plains Indian War 1865 - 1875. Some stars are missing but the outline of the missing stars is clearly vissible. Unique specimen of the period.

Stripes
Number of Stripes	13
Color of Top Stripe	Red
Color of Bottom Stripe	Red
Has a Blood Stripe?	no
Comments on Stripes	Unusual configuration. 35" x 18" with usual red and white stripes and a blue field in upper left hand corner with 36 spots where gold stars were affixed. About 1/2 remain. The top and bottom and end are mounted with gold fringe.

Nationality
Nation Represented	United States

Fabric
Fabric	Silk

Stitching
Stitching	Machine

Attachment
Method of Attachment	Straps

Documentation
Public Copy & Signs

Condition
Condition	Good
Damage	Canton is in bad condition
Displayable	yes

Date
Date	1865

Exhibits

Exhibition Copy

First Presidio Exhibit (ZFC0280) 36-STAR UNITED STATES FLAG, UNIT FLANK MARKER Date: 1865 Media: Silk with gilded appliqud stars; machine sewn Comment: Both the size and the fact that this flag is fringed suggest that this is a small flank marker made to indicate the location of an infantry regiments flanks when in line of battle or on parade. Although the star representing Nevadas statehood would not officially be added to the canton of the U.S. flag until July 4th, 1865, Nevada had become the nations thirty-sixth state eight months earlier, and a few flag manufacturers recognized that occasion and added its star to the flags they made in the waning days of the Civil War. This flag, is delicately made, suggesting that it may have been prepared for one of the unit participating in the Grand Review of the Union Army, which took place in Washington, D.C. on the 24th and 25th of May, 1865. Unfortunately no record survives of which unit carried it, or precisely when or where it was made. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0280) in 1998 at auction from the Julia Auction House of Portland, ME. Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 - Gallery III (ZFC0280) 36-Star United States Flag, Unit Flank Marker Date: 1865 36 Stars: July 4, 1865-July 3, 1867 (Nevada statehood October 31, 1864) Media: Silk with gilt appliqued stars; machine-sewn Comment: Both the size and the fact that this flag is fringed suggest that it served as a small flank marker made to indicate the location of an infantry regiments flanks when in line of battle or on parade. Although the star representing Nevadas statehood would not officially be added to the canton of the U.S. flag until July 4th, 1865, Nevada had become the nations thirty-sixth state eight months earlier and a few flag manufacturers recognized that occasion and added its star to the flags they made in the waning days of the Civil War. This flag is delicately made, suggesting that it may have been prepared for one of the units participating in the Grand Review of the Union Army, which took place in Washington D.C. on May 24-25, 1865. Unfortunately, no record survives of which unit carried it or precisely when or where it was made. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0280) in 1998 at auction from the Julia Auction House of Portland, ME.

Publications

Publication Copy

Publication History: Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p.89. 36-Star United States Flag Unit Flank Marker Both the size and the fact that this flag is fringed suggest that it served as a small flank marker made to indicate the location of an infantry regiments flanks when in line of battle or on parade. Although the star representing Nevadas statehood would not officially be added to the canton of the U.S. flag until July 4th, 1865, Nevada had become the nations thirty-sixth state eight months earlier and a few flag manufacturers recognized that occasion and added its star to the flags they made in the waning days of the Civil War. This flag is delicately made with gilt stars, suggesting that it may have been prepared for one of the units participating in the Grand Review of the Union Army which took place in Washington D.C. on May 24 25, 1865, during the presidency of Andrew Johnson. Unfortunately, no record survives of which unit carried it or precisely when or where it was made. Date: 1865 Size: 17.5" hoist x 35" fly 36 Stars: July 4, 1865 July 3, 1867 (Nevada statehood October 31, 1864) Media: Silk with gilt stars; machine-sewn Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 1998 at the J.D. Julia Auction of Fairfield, ME. ZFC0280