U.S. 36-Star Flag - J. Sebring Maker, New York City.
This large wool 36-star flag was made by J.E. Sebring who was a Civil War-era flag maker from New York City. Sebring is recorded as starting in the flag business in 1862, doubtless as a response to the tremendous demand for flags engendered by the American Civil War.
He made numerous recruiting, garrison and storm flags as well as hospital, both general and field, flags and ambulance markers. However, the size of this flag is not in compliance with any of these specifications so it is likely that this was a private or institutional flag.
The flag is inscribed "J.D. Lyon", but more research will be needed to determine the exact identity of this individual flag as there are at least seven soldiers on the National Park Service's computerized database The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System.
Provenance: Acquired at auction in 2008 from Cowan's Auctions, Cincinnati, Ohio.
ZFC Important Flag
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, 20 May, 2012, from:
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-1865.html
The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, National Park Service, 20 May 2102, from: http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/index.html
Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
