Showrooms

Antique American Flag with 37 Stars & Rare Medallion Star Arrangement

Offered by: Historical Americana

Description
Very rare 37 Star Antique American Flag with very rare star arrangement called a medallion. Double wreath of stars surrounding a large center star that is positioned up side down. Made of a starched gauze fabric. Circa 1867
Antique flags with a Medallion star arrangement date to at as early as 1827, and at latest 1912. The majority of medallion pattern flags, however, date to between 1861 and 1876. During this period, many flag makers would include a center star, surround it with one or more wreaths of stars, and then surround the wreaths with flanking stars (i.e., corner stars). Beginning in the 1890s, the beautiful medallion patterns became less common, and linear arrangements became the norm. Why this occurred is unclear, as flag makers had the freedom to place the stars however, they liked until 1912, when President Taft issued Executive Order 1556 establishing the arrangement of the stars into rectilinear rows.

The stripes are individually hand cut and treadle sewn together, and are treadle sewn together. Treadle stitching was a sewing method commonly used in the 1830s The technique became relatively common by the 1860s, particularly for sewing the stripes, cantons, hoists, and edges of pieced-and-sewn flags.

The stars are made of cotton, and they are handsewn to both sides of the canton (i.e., double appliqued). Prior to Singer’s introduction of the electric sewing machine, flag makers using machine stitching had to place each star on the canton, fold its edges under, pump a treadle machine—and while doing all of this—properly move both the star and canton through it. Because of these difficulties associated with early sewing machines, until 1885, stars were commonly applied by hand—as is the case with this flag.

The thirty-seven star flag represents the inclusion of Nebraska to the Union. Nebraska was admitted on March 1st, 1867, and this flag became official on July 4th of the same year. The thirty-seven star flag was the official flag during a portion of the Reconstruction era, and a portion of the Indian Wars era. Presidents Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Rutherford B. Hayes all served under this flag.

Thirty-seven star flags are scarce, relative to thirty-six and thirty-eight star flags. This is because of a lack of major patriotic events following the Civil War and preceding the centennial. This is further because thirty-eight star flags were often used to celebrate the centennial, instead of thirty-seven star flags, even though thirty-seven was the official star count in 1876. It was common for flag makers to produce anticipatory flags in advance of their official date, making the thirty-eight star flag—and for historical reasons, the thirteen star flag—the most common flags flown during the centennial celebrations of 1876.

The thirty-seven star flag was official until July 4th 1877, the time at which the thirty-eight star flag became official and began to represent the inclusion of Colorado to the Union.

Museum framing with UV acrylic.
Flaginfo2012@gmail.com
Antique American Flag

More Information

In the Style of:	American School
Origin:	United States
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Gauze
Condition:	Good. Slight fading due to age, some loss to hoist side where it was attached to a stick
Creation Date:	1867
Styles / Movements:	Americana, Traditional, Federal
Dealer Reference #:	13994
Incollect Reference #:	360125