Description

Authentic Antique 36 StarAmerican  Civil War Flag all hand sewn

Antique 36 Star American Flag, Military ordered & issued.

This flag is interesting as it has a museum number written on the back of the hoist MCR-261 with the name B. Wall.

It also has a large ink stamp on the back side of the hoist stating: CO. C OR GEN. F. FOSTER 217 SOUTH WATER ST CHICAGO ILL

I found a reference to a company at the above address that sold canvas and rope material & supplies. Based on all the products they sold they were probably  a supplier to the US Army during the civil war.

6’x9’

Wool flag , Stars are hand sewn linen. Treadle sewn stripes

Hand sewn double Appliqué 5” stars, Stripes are 6”

Handmade lead & brass hand pressed grommets.

Stripes are tattered in places.

Numerous stains & hoes throughout.

Canton is made of two panels

The flag has period ink writing on the canvas hoist.

The writing has been deciphered as the following detailed information.

The flag was apparently taken to the listed political events which we interpret as the nominating conventions for the respective Presidents/Campaigns/Elections

Hayes & Wheeler 1876

Rutherford B. Hayes, William A. Wheeler

 Garfield & Arthur 1880

James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur

 Blaine & Logan 1884

James G. Blaine, John A. Logan (prominently depicted in cyclorama!)

 Harrison & Morton, 1888

Benjamin Harrison, Levi P. Morton

 “Turns out that the initials on that 36-star flag were exactly as you suspected – presidential and vice-presidential nominees, Republican Party.  See below.  I’m assuming “Platteville” (Wisconsin) just refers to the local “Hays & Wheeler” Club.  Didn’t find anything on the name on the other side of the hoist – Sadie Rose____?  Roselief?  Roseliebe?  But in any case, it’s a political artifact, so that’s pretty cool. “

Comments made by the curator of the civil war department in a major civil war museum

36 Star Hand Sewn Civil War Flag

Voted into the Union on October 31, 1864    President: A. Lincoln

The thirty-six-star flag represents the inclusion of Nevada to the Union.  Nevada was admitted on October 31st, 1864, and this flag became official on July 4th, 1865.  Nevada was originally part of the Utah Territory beginning in 1850, became its own territory in 1861, and became its own state in 1864.

The timing of Nevada’s inclusion was politically and economically based.  For political reasons, Nevada was admitted to the Union just eight days prior to President Lincoln’s re-election bid against General George McClellan.  Such timing was meant to benefit Lincoln and his fellow Republicans.  For economic reasons, Nevada was included as part of the Union to help it pay off the country’s war debts.  Economically, Nevada was particularly attractive at the time, because of its significant silver mining industry.  Nevada expanded its borders in 1866 when the western Utah Territory was added to its eastern side, and further expanded in 1867 when a portion Pah-Ute County in the Arizona Territory was added to its southern side.

The thirty-six-star flag was the official flag for the last six months of the Civil War, and was used by the military during that time.  It was also the official flag during a portion of the Reconstruction era.  The thirty-six-star flag was official until July 4th, 1867, the time at which the thirty-seven star flag became official and began to represent the inclusion of Nebraska in the Union.

Selling only Genuine Authentic antiques & rare American Flags

I have consulted with numerous museums across the country including The National Archives, PBS, various film production companies for national TV Shows, major motion pictures, major collectors, and large and small auction houses over the years in selling, loaning, describing, documenting, and identifying various antique flags and antique textiles.

I have been interviewed for many national magazines and newspaper articles on antique flags and rare Americana.

Our flags and rare Americana have been featured in numerous antique trade publications, newspapers and major national decorator magazines, national TV shows and major movies.

I have also worked with numerous major retail corporations, major on-line retailers, major on-line catalogs, many prominent national interior designers, and architects.

Historical Americana has been buying and selling rare, unique antique relics and rare American Flags and Americana for over twenty years. I have personally seen and handled and purchased thousands of antiques & antique flags over the years.

We use modern museum framing technology to frame our antique flags.

Please do not be intimated by dealers that have outrageous prices on their flags and say if any flags is sold for less than their (highly inflated prices) it can’t possibly be real. Really?…

If you want to pay more for the same flag, please do

I have more experience on antique flags than most museum curators, auction house appraisers who may see only a few flags each year and most flag dealers sometime make erroneous statements and opinions on flags because of lack of experience.

The thirty-six-star flag represents the inclusion of Nevada to the Union.  Nevada was admitted on October 31st, 1864, and this flag became official on July 4th, 1865.  Nevada was originally part of the Utah Territory beginning in 1850, became its own territory in 1861, and became its own state in 1864.

The timing of Nevada’s inclusion was politically and economically based.  For political reasons, Nevada was admitted to the Union just eight days prior to President Lincoln’s re-election bid against General George McClellan.  Such timing was meant to benefit Lincoln and his fellow Republicans.  For economic reasons, Nevada was included as part of the Union to help it pay off the country’s war debts.  Economically, Nevada was particularly attractive at the time, because of its significant silver mining industry.  Nevada expanded its borders in 1866 when the western Utah Territory was added to its eastern side, and further expanded in 1867 when a portion Pah-Ute County in the Arizona Territory was added to its southern side.

The thirty-six-star flag was the official flag for the last six months of the Civil War, and was used by the military during that time.  It was also the official flag during a portion of the Reconstruction era.  The thirty-six-star flag was official until July 4th, 1867, the time at which the thirty-seven star flag became official and began to represent the inclusion of Nebraska in the Union.