This rare and unusual
flag dates to the early 20th century. It is the
only flag that I've ever encountered that features the
Betsy Ross circle pattern with a star count other than
thirteen. Flags with twenty-seven stars are very rare,
and only a handful of antique American flags in this
star count are known. While this flag does not
date to the original period for this star count, it
nevertheless is a great rarity and curiosity. Any
reason for the star count would be speculative, though
it's possible that the flag was made in the 1945-1946
period during the Centennial of Florida Statehood, our
twenty-seventh state. The construction of the flag and
its period is consistent with this idea. It's also
possible that the maker of the flag simply chose the
number of stars because they fit the best on the canton.
Without question, the flag is striking. Its
beautiful deep purplish blue canton, raspberry red
stripes and mellowed white stripes are perfectly
complementary. The simple but beautiful wreath of
stars, with their uneven spacing and inverted
orientation, are visually captivating. Machine
stitched with a chain stitch and made entirely of thin
cotton, the flag has survived surprisingly well over the
years, with only minor make-do repairs. The flag
is an exceptional example of a later period antique
American flag with an earlier period star count, and its
wreath of twenty-seven stars may well be unique among
surviving early American flags.
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