OBVERSE
Obverse Canton
Book Photo
Obverse
U.S. 13 Star Flag - Commemorative.
Sub-collection: U.S. 13 Star FlagsU.S. 13 Star Flag - Centennial Celebration.
The thirteen-star United States flag with its stars arranged in five staggered horizontal rows, 3-2-3-2-3, is one of the two basic star patterns known to have been utilized by the U.S. Navy during the War for American Independence. The 1779 drawing made in the Dutch harbor of Texel depicting the ensign of the Alliance while moored with the Serapis depicts her stars arranged in this pattern. Beginning at some time during the American Civil War, this same pattern was resurrected as the star pattern on some of the U.S. Navy boat flags, and after the War, it became the predominate pattern until 1870, when it became the only star pattern used until boat flags were discontinued in 1916.
Although this flag is very similar to the size "No. 11" U.S. Navy flag for small boats, the dimensions of the flag on its hoist do not conform to U.S. Navy regulations. During the period of the Centennial observance in 1876, reproductions of 13 star flags from the American War for Independence became quite popular, and it is probable that this flag was manufactured commercially for that occasion.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1156) in 1998 from Butterfield & Butterfield Auction House of San Francisco, CA.
Hoist & Fly | |
|---|---|
| Width of Hoist | 96 |
| Length of Fly | 43 |
Union/Canton | |
|---|---|
| Width of Union/Canton | 38 |
| Length of Union/Canton | 24 |
Stars | |
|---|---|
| Comments on Star Measurements | Some are 3,5" |
| Size of Stars | 3.25 |
Stripes | |
|---|---|
| Width of 1st Stripe | 3.5 |
| Width of 3rd Stripe | 3.5 |
| Width of 8th Stripe | 3.75 |
| Width of Last Stripe | 3.75 |
| Size of Hoist | 0.75 |
Frame | |
|---|---|
| Is it framed? | yes |
| Frame Height | 48 |
| Frame Length | 96 |
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 | Wool |
| Comments on Fabric | Bunting |
Stitching | |
|---|---|
| Stitching | Machine |
Thread | |
|---|---|
| Thread Material | Cotton |
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 | Bad |
| Damage | Holes everywhere |
| Displayable | yes |
Exhibits | |
|---|---|
| Exhibition Copy | First Presidio Exhibit (ZFC1156) THIRTEEN-STAR, UNITED STATES FLAG Date: About 1876 Media: Wool bunting with cotton stars; machine stitched with hand stitched stars Comment: The thirteen-star United States flag with its stars arranged in five staggered horizontal rows, 3-2-3-2-3, is one of the two basic star patterns known to have been utilized by the U.S. Navy during the War for American Independence. The 1779 drawing made in the Dutch harbor of Texel depicting the ensign of the Alliance while moored with the Serapis depicts her stars arranged in this pattern. Beginning at some time during the American Civil War, this same pattern was resurrected as the star pattern on some of the U.S. Navy boat flags, and after the War, it became the predominate pattern until 1870, when it became the only star pattern used until boat flags were discontinued in 1916. This flag, however, does not conform to any of the sizes specified for Navy boat flags; it is rather a flag of commercial manufacture, most probably constructed at the time of the United States Centennial Celebrations in Philadelphia. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1156) in 1998 from Butterfield & Butterfield Auction House of San Francisco, CA. Second Presidio Exhibit Gallery One Copy 2003 ZFC1156 13-Star United States Date: About 1876 Media: Wool bunting with cotton stars; machine-stitched with hand-stitched stars Comment: The 13-star United States flag with its stars arranged in five staggered horizontal rows, 3-2-3-2-3, is one of the two basic star patterns known to have been utilized by the U.S. Navy during the Revolutionary War. A 1779 painting made in the Dutch harbor of Texel depicts the ensign of the Alliance with the stars arranged in this pattern. Beginning at some time during the American Civil War, this pattern was resurrected for the star field on some of the U.S. Navy boat flags. After the War, it became the predominant patternuntil 1870 and then the sole star pattern until boat flags were discontinued in 1916. This flag, however, does not conform to any of the sizes specified for Navy boat flags and is probably a flag of commercial manufacture, probably constructed at the time of the United States Centennial celebrations in Philadelphia. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1156) in 1998 from Butterfield & Butterfield Auction House of San Francisco, CA. |
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. 21. 13-Star United States Flag The 13-star United States flag with its stars arranged in five staggered horizontal rows, 3-2-3-2-3, is one of the two basic star patterns known to have been utilized by the U.S. Navy during the Revolutionary War. A 1779 painting made in the Dutch harbor of Texel depicts the ensign of the Alliance with the stars arranged in this pattern. Beginning at some time during the American Civil War, this pattern was resurrected for the star field on some of the U.S. Navy boat flags. After the War, it became the predominant pattern until 1870 and then the sole star pattern until boat flags were discontinued in 1916. This flag, however, does not conform to any of the sizes specified for Navy boat flags and is probably a flag of commercial manufacture, probably constructed at the time of the United States Centennial celebrations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which were attended by President Ulysses S. Grant. Date: About 1876 Size: 43" hoist x 96" fly Media: Wool bunting with cotton stars; machine-stitched with hand-stitched stars Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 1998 from Butterfield & Butterfield Auction House of San Francisco, CA. ZFC1156 |