Book Photo
OBVERSE
REVERSE
Obverse
U.S. 13 Star Flag, 1850-1880.
Sub-collection: U.S. 13 Star Flags 13 Star U.S. Flag, 1850-1880.
The 4-5-4 star pattern is thought to be the oldest star pattern of any star pattern associated with the flag of the United States, including the constellation. The method of attachment used no grommets and instead has whipped eyelets; indicating an early date.
Although this flag is very similar in both design and size to the No. 10 size U.S. Navy boat flag because it is made from cotton and is machine sewn, it is not a Navy flag from the period that the 4-5-4 pattern boat flags were in service (1862-1870). While this flag may have been made for the Centennial Celebrations of 1876, the star pattern more in vogue at that time consisted of five staggered rows: 3-2-3-2-3. The use of cotton and the absence of brass grommets suggest that the flag was privately made, rather than commercially. It is likely that this was produced for some patriotic purpose during the Civil War.
Exhibition History
First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC0359)
THIRTEEN-STAR UNITED STATES FLAG
Second Presidio Exhibit Gallery One Copy 2003
ZFC0359
13-Star United States Flag
Publication History:
Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 20.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0359) in 1996 from the Wesley Cowan auction of Cincinnati, OH.
ZFC Important Flag
Item is Framed
Hoist & Fly | |
|---|---|
| Width of Hoist | 57 |
| Length of Fly | 115 |
Union/Canton | |
|---|---|
| Width of Union/Canton | 31 |
| Length of Union/Canton | 46.5 |
Stars | |
|---|---|
| Size of Stars | 4 |
Stripes | |
|---|---|
| Width of 1st Stripe | 4.5 |
| Width of 3rd Stripe | 4.5 |
| Width of 8th Stripe | 4.5 |
| Width of Last Stripe | 4.5 |
| Size of Hoist | 1.75 |
Frame | |
|---|---|
| Is it framed? | yes |
| Frame Height | 69 |
| Frame Length | 117 |
| Comments on Frame | Shown on exhibit at The Presidio San Francisco, Ca. Officers Club 2003. |
Stars | |
|---|---|
| Number of Stars | 13 |
| How are the stars embeded? | Sewn |
| Are there stars on obverse? | yes |
| Are there stars on reverse? | yes |
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 | Cotton |
Stitching | |
|---|---|
| Stitching | Hand |
| Comments on Stitching | Stars hand stitched |
Attachment | |
|---|---|
| Comments on Method of Attachmen | Eyelet or grommett through header |
| Method of Attachment | Whip-stitched |
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.
|
Condition | |
|---|---|
| Condition | Good |
| Damage | Stains and small holes |
| Displayable | yes |
Date | |
|---|---|
| Date | 1850-1860s |
Exhibits | |
|---|---|
| Exhibition Copy | First Presidio Exhibit (ZFC0359) THIRTEEN-STAR UNITED STATES FLAG Date: About 1850-1880 Media: Cotton; machine sewn with hand sewn stars Comment: Although this flag is very similar in both design and size to the No. 10 size U.S. Navy boat flag because it is made from cotton and is machine sewn, it is not a Navy flag from the period that the 4-5-4 pattern boat flags were in service (1862-1870). While this flag may have been made for the Centennial Celebrations of 1876, the star pattern more in vogue at that time consisted of five staggered rows: 3-2-3-2-3. The use of cotton and the absence of brass grommets suggest that the flag was privately made, rather than commercially. It is likely that this was produced for some patriotic purpose during the Civil War. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0359) in 1996 from the Wesley Cowan auction of Cincinnati, OH. Second Presidio Exhibit Gallery One Copy 2003 ZFC0359 13-Star United States Flag Date: About 1850-1880 Media: Cotton; machine-sewn with hand-sewn stars Comment: This flag is very similar in both design and size to the No. 10 size U.S. Navy boat flag. However, because it is made from cotton and is machine-sewn, it clearly is not a Navy flag from the period when the 4-5-4 pattern boat flags were in service (1862-1870). While this flag may have been made for the Centennial celebrations of 1876, a star pattern more in vogue at that time consisted of five staggered rows of 3-2-3-2-3 stars. The use of cotton and the absence of brass grommets suggest that the flag was privately made, rather than commercially. It is likely that this was produced for some patriotic purpose during the Civil War. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0359) in 1996 from the Wesley Cowan Auction of Cincinnati, OH. |
Publications | |
|---|---|
| Publication Copy | Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 20. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0359) in 1996 from the Wesley Cowan auction of Cincinnati, OH. Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 20. 13-Star United States Flag This flag is very similar in both design and size to the No. 10 size U.S. Navy boat flag. However, because it is made from cotton and is machine-sewn, it clearly is not a Navy flag from the period when the 4-5-4 pattern boat flags were in service (18621870). While this flag may have been made for the Centennial celebrations of 1876, a star pattern more in vogue at that time consisted of five staggered rows of 3-2-3-2-3 stars. The use of cotton and the absence of brass grommets suggest that the flag was privately, rather than commercially made. It is possible that this was produced for some patriotic purpose during the Civil War. Date: About 1850 1870 Size: 57" hoist x 115" fly Medium: Cotton; machine-sewn with hand-sewn stars Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 1996 from the Wesley Cowan Auction of Cincinnati, OH. ZFC0359 |