ZFC Item Section - U.S. 13 Star Flag - early all cotton flag.

Exhibits Title information is available upon specific request. Additional information available upon request to researchers, writers and others demonstrating special circumstances. In some situations, information may not be available.
Exhibition Copy	Exhibition History First Presidio Exhibit (ZFC1495) THIRTEEN-STAR, UNITED STATES FLAG Date: Probably about 1845-1850 Medium: Cotton; hand sewn Comment: This flag bears several remarkable similarities to a sixteen star flag also in this exhibit (Gallery III). Both flags are made completely of cotton; both flags arrange their stars in a circle around a larger center star; in both flags the canton is relatively small and rests on a red stripe; and on both flags the means of attaching the flag to a staff or halyard consist of a number of metal rings sewn to the cotton heading. Because so many similar production techniques are shared by both flags, it has been suggested that they were both made by the same Philadelphia maker. However, because the sixteen-star flag is sewn with a thread that so far has been dated no earlier than 1840, it is likely that this flag dates from the same decade. At least two militia flags made during the War with Mexico also display their stars in a circle around a central star, and this flag may date from the same period. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1495) in 1996 from the Wesley Cowan auction of Cincinnati, OH. Presidio Exhibit Gallery One Copy - 2003 ZFC1495 13-Star United States Flag Date: About 1845-1850 Medium: Cotton; hand-sewn Comment: This flag bears several remarkable similarities to a 16-star flag shown at the beginning of Gallery II. Both flags are made completely of cotton; both arrange their stars in a circle around a larger center star; in both the canton is relatively small and rests on a red stripe. Moreover, each flag was once secured to any halyard used to hoist them by means of ties sewn to or attached through the rings along the cotton heading. Because of their many similar production techniques, it has been suggested that they were both made by the same Philadelphia maker. However, the 16-star flag is sewn with a thread that-so far-has been dated no earlier than 1840 and it is therefore likely that this flag dates from the same decade. At least two militia flags made during the War with Mexico also display their stars in a circle around a central star and this flag may date from the same period. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1495) in 1996 from Wesley Cowan Auction of Cincinnati, OH. Zaricor Flag Collection Copy written by Flag Center Exhibition Curator Howard M. Madaus.

Exhibits

Title information is available upon specific request. Additional information available upon request to researchers, writers and others demonstrating special circumstances. In some situations, information may not be available.

Exhibition Copy

Exhibition History
First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC1495)
THIRTEEN-STAR, UNITED STATES FLAG
Date: Probably about 1845-1850
Medium: Cotton; hand sewn
Comment: This flag bears several remarkable similarities to a sixteen star flag also in this exhibit (Gallery III). Both flags are made completely of cotton; both flags arrange their stars in a circle around a larger center star; in both flags the canton is relatively small and rests on a red stripe; and on both flags the means of attaching the flag to a staff or halyard consist of a number of metal rings sewn to the cotton heading. Because so many similar production techniques are shared by both flags, it has been suggested that they were both made by the same Philadelphia maker. However, because the sixteen-star flag is sewn with a thread that so far has been dated no earlier than 1840, it is likely that this flag dates from the same decade. At least two militia flags made during the War with Mexico also display their stars in a circle around a central star, and this flag may date from the same period.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1495) in 1996 from the Wesley Cowan auction of Cincinnati, OH.

Presidio Exhibit Gallery One Copy - 2003
ZFC1495
13-Star United States Flag
Date: About 1845-1850 Medium: Cotton; hand-sewn Comment: This flag bears several remarkable similarities to a 16-star flag shown at the beginning of Gallery II. Both flags are made completely of cotton; both arrange their stars in a circle around a larger center star; in both the canton is relatively small and rests on a red stripe. Moreover, each flag was once secured to any halyard used to hoist them by means of ties sewn to or attached through the rings along the cotton heading. Because of their many similar production techniques, it has been suggested that they were both made by the same Philadelphia maker. However, the 16-star flag is sewn with a thread that-so far-has been dated no earlier than 1840 and it is therefore likely that this flag dates from the same decade. At least two militia flags made during the War with Mexico also display their stars in a circle around a central star and this flag may date from the same period. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1495) in 1996 from Wesley Cowan Auction of Cincinnati, OH.

Zaricor Flag Collection Copy written by Flag Center Exhibition Curator Howard M. Madaus.

Publications Title information is available upon specific request. Additional information available upon request to researchers, writers and others demonstrating special circumstances. In some situations, information may not be available.
Publication Copy	Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, pp. 18-19. 13-Star United States Flag This flag is made completely of cotton-with its stars arranged in a circle around a larger center star. The canton is relatively small and rests on a red stripe. Moreover, this flag was once secured to a halyard used to hoist it by means of ties sewn to or attached through the rings along the cotton heading. Because of its many similar production techniques, it has been suggested that it was made by a Philadelphia maker. It is likely that this flag dates from no earlier than 1840, but it may be earlier. At least two militia flags made during the War with Mexico also display their stars in a circle around a central star and this flag may date from the same period. James K. Polk was U.S. president under more versions of the Stars & Stripes than any other president. There were 26 stars when he was inaugurated in March 1845 and new flags with additional stars to honor new states were created that year (for Florida's admission) as well as in 1846, 1847, and 1848 (for the admission of Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin.) Date: About 1845 - 1850 Size: 69" hoist x 105" fly Medium: Cotton; hand-sewn Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 1996 from Wesley Cowan Auction of Cincinnati, OH. ZFC1495"

Publications

Publication Copy

Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, pp. 18-19.

13-Star United States Flag
This flag is made completely of cotton-with its stars arranged in a circle around a larger center star. The canton is relatively small and rests on a red stripe. Moreover, this flag was once secured to a halyard used to hoist it by means of ties sewn to or attached through the rings along the cotton heading. Because of its many similar production techniques, it has been suggested that it was made by a Philadelphia maker. It is likely that this flag dates from no earlier than 1840, but it may be earlier. At least two militia flags made during the War with Mexico also display their stars in a circle around a central star and this flag may date from the same period. James K. Polk was U.S. president under more versions of the Stars & Stripes than any other president. There were 26 stars when he was inaugurated in March 1845 and new flags with additional stars to honor new states were created that year (for Florida's admission) as well as in 1846, 1847, and 1848 (for the admission of Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin.)
Date: About 1845 - 1850
Size: 69" hoist x 105" fly
Medium: Cotton; hand-sewn
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 1996 from Wesley Cowan Auction of Cincinnati, OH. ZFC1495"