25 Star U.S. Flag, scatter pattern with large center star, 1836 - 1837.
This small, professionally made, civilian, 25 star, wool, United States flag is something of a mystery, and its actual use has been lost to the mists of time. The star count dates this flag to 1836, when one star was added to the U.S. Flag to represent the new state to the Union; Arkansas, bringing the total number of stars to 25. There are thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies that created the Union and standard on US flags since 1818.

The mystery surrounding this flag is that the twenty-five (25) stars suggest a period of construction between 1836 and 1837 when Arkansas obtained statehood, with the large star in the center being in honor of the new state. The double warped bunting and multiple ply threads are of a quality and type more common in the decade just prior to the American Civil War, which has led to speculation that this is a flag from that era.

However, while neither is conclusive, as high quality bunting and multi-ply threads was imported from Britain in small quantities, and sold at a premium since the beginnings of the Republic. Further, the flag is substantially made, betraying a skill level beyond that of a home or vernacular maker. Such a professional doubtless would have had access to a variety of textile suppliers. Sadly there are all too many flags like this: well constructed, obviously utilized, and preserved by someone for posterity but its history remains unknown.

In 1836, one star was added to the U.S. Flag to represent the new state to the Union; Arkansas, bringing the total number of stars to 25. There were thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies. A flag of very desirable size, 22" on the hoist and 27" on the fly. Constructed of wool bunting with twenty-five (25) white cotton five-pointed stars. The large center star is 2", the smaller stars 1". The points of the stars are randomly arranged which is typical of flags from the early to mid 19th century. The stars are appliqued to each side of the canton. There are three sets of cotton ties attached to the leading edge. The twenty-five (25) stars suggest a period of construction between 1836 and 1837 when Arkansas obtained statehood, with the large star in the center being in honor of the new state.



ZFC Significant Flag
Item is Framed

Provenance:
• Sold via Heritage Auctions of Dallas, Texas to Zaricor Flag Collection, 2009.
Deaccessed Heritage Auctions - 13 November 2023 - Auction 6276

Sources:


Thompson, Fonda, Analysis Report, 2009, Zaricor Flag Collection Archives

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

25 Star Flag - (1836-1837) (U.S.), Flags of the World, 11 November 2011, from: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-1836.html

Physical Characteristics of Antique Flags, Antique US Flag Assessment Guidelines, Dave Martucci's FLAG PAGES, 10 November 2011, from:
http://www.vexman.net/physical.htm

Sauers, Richard A., Advance The Colours, Capitol Preservation Committee, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1987.

Coates, Earl J. , Brown Thread, A Civil War Myth, North South Trader July-Aug. 1978,

Collins, Herbert Ridgeway, Threads of History, Americana Recorded on Cloth 1775 to the Present, City of Washington, Smithsonian Press, 1979.

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
Heritage Auction Galleries
Fonda Thomsen, LLC