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This flag of 36 stars
is typical of those manufactured during the time of the
American Civil War and the period of reconstruction that
followed. The flag is beautifully preserved and in
exceptional condition for a flag of the period.
The blue wool bunting of the canton and red stripes
remain vibrant, and the white stars have turned a
uniform cream color. The fly end of the flag is
nearly completely intact, with only the slightest
fraying at the bottom right corner of the flag.
Although the stripes are machine sewn, the stars of the
flag are hand sewn, and are single-appliqué, which means
that the stars are made from a single piece of fabric
applied to the canton, which is cut through in the shape
of each star. In this particular case, the "back"
of the canton, where the stars peek through, is actually
what we typically consider the "front" of the flag
today. Although the back of the flag would appear
to be more finished, the front of the flag, where you
can see the handiwork of the seamstress and the
irregularity of the stars, presents a beautiful and folky appearance, and a provides the observer with a
detailed look at this type of construction in early
American flags. The hoist of the flag is a sleeve
hoist with its original hemp rope passing through it.
Overall the flag is a very fine and beautiful example of
a late Civil War era American flag. |
