United States // 13 Stars / 4-5-4

United States // 13 Stars / 4-5-4

Acquired from Sotheby's Auction in New York City on October 10, 2002. Mastai Lot No. 84. Framed (outside dimensions 57 x 97). Earlier misidentified as a Civil War Boat Flag it is now believed to be from the Privateer ship the Minerva from the time of the American Revolution as identified by Mastai in his book "Star and Stripes". Research is continuing on this flag.


ZFC # Sothebys # Description/Exhibit-Publication History
(sale 10 Oct. 02


0614 84, p. 50-7767
13 Star U.S. flag (4-5-4) Boat flag
exhibited in The American Flag, I and II
depicted 1973 cat. p. 37, #19.
depicted in Mastai (1973), pp. 66-7
depicted in The American Flag, p. 25.
Framed (size = 57 x 97)




Exhibition History
First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC0614)
THIRTEEN-STAR, U.S. NAVY BOAT FLAG
Date: About 1862-1863
Media: Wool bunting with cotton stars; all hand sewn
Comment: Although this U.S. Navy ensign carries thirteen stars in the 4-5-4 arrangement that has been documented as one of the two-star patterns most frequently flown aboard U.S. Navy ships during the War for American Independence, this flag conforms to the No. 12, or 7 foot Boat Flag. Indeed, the measurement on the fly of the flag (84") conforms exactly to the size prescribed for the No. 12 ensign in the 1863-1864 regulations. The U.S. Navy produced Boat Flags with thirteen stars arranged in the 4-5-4 pattern from 1862 until about 1870, after which another popular pattern predominated.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0614) in 2002 from the Mastai Flag Collection of New York City through auction at Sothebys.


Second Presidio Exhibit Gallery One Copy 2003
ZFC0614
13-Star United States Navy Boat Flag
Date: About 18621863
Media: Wool bunting with cotton stars; hand-sewn
Comment: This U.S. Navy ensign carries 13 stars in the 4-5-4 arrangement that has been documented as one of the two most common star patterns flown aboard U.S. Navy ships during the Revolutionary War. However, the star pattern also conforms to the design of flags flown aboard U.S. Navy small boats during the period of the American Civil War and immediately thereafter. Indeed the measurement along the fly of the flag (84") conforms exactly to the size prescribed for the No. 12 ensign in the 1863-1864 regulations. The U.S. Navy produced boat flags with 13 stars arranged in the 4-5-4 pattern from 1862 until about 1870, after which another popular pattern predominated.

Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0614) in 2002 from the Mastai Flag Collection through auction at Sothebys of New York City.

Publication History:
Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 23.


13-Star United States
Navy Boat Flag, Size No. 12
This U.S. Navy ensign carries 13 stars in the 4-5-4
arrangement that has been documented as one of the
two most common star patterns flown aboard U.S.
Navy ships during the Revolutionary War. However,
the star pattern also conforms to the design of flags
flown aboard U.S. Navy small boats during the period
of the American Civil War and immediately thereafter.
Indeed the measurement along the fly of the flag
(84") conforms exactly to the size prescribed for the
size No. 12 ensign in the 18631864 regulations.
The U.S. Navy produced boat flags with 13 stars
arranged in the 4-5-4 pattern from 1862 until
about 1870, after which another popular
pattern predominated.
Why Is This Flag Reversed?
The 1942 Flag Code specifies that the United States
flag, when displayed on a wall, show the side which
the viewer sees when the canton (union with the stars)
is to his or her left. The Flag Code is intended for the
proper display of contemporary flags, and was not
written to forbid the display of historic flags whose
reverse sides may bear significant details otherwise
obscured if shown in accordance with the code,
such is the case with this flag.
Date: About 1862 1863
Size: 47" hoist x 84" fly
Media: Wool bunting with cotton stars; hand-sewn
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 2002 from the Mastai Flag Collection through auction at Sothebys of New York City. ZFC0614

ZFC Significant Flag
Item is Framed