|
 This
majestic Great Star pattern flag of 35 stars dates to
the middle years of the Civil War. Given its
construction, being made of cotton which is typically
seen on homemade flags rather than professionally
manufactured military flags, it's possible that this
flag was either made as a homemade presentation color
for a Union military unit, or perhaps made for flying at
a Union Army recruiting station or military hospital.
The quality of the flag's manufacture, despite being
made of relatively fragile cotton that would not have
weathered well during prolonged outdoor use, is evident
in the carefully arranged star pattern, uniformity of
the star sizes, and unusual tabs affixed to the hoist of
the flag. The cornflower blue canton is attractive and
overall, the flag presents beautifully. The Great Star
or Grand Luminary pattern is one of the most desirable
and visually exciting of patterns one can find in 19th
century American Flags, and the pattern reached its
height of popularity during the Civil War, where the
symbolism of the union of one large star made of each
individual star representing the states, was a
particularly symbolic and poignant visual symbol of the
extraordinary struggle for preserving the Union during
the Civil War.
|
