13 Star Flag...Please help Identify

[ekincade]

Ok...I have this 13 star flag that has been in my family for a very long time (possibly more than 100 years). The flag appears to be handmade, in other words not from a factory. It does show some wear, with minor holes and scuffs in various locations. You can see the star design of 12 in a cirle with one in the center. The dimensions are 32.5 in wide and 19.5 inches high. It also has 2 red, 2 blue, and 2 white "silks" or "streamers" clipped to it (they are easily removed). A few years ago I asked a flag dealer on-line to identify it for me, and he said that he was not sure, but that he would offer me $800 for it sight unseen. I don't have a great interest in selling this item, rather, I want to know what the heck I have. Any help would be appreciated.

Erik
Pictures by ekincade1972 - Photobucket

[csaanv]

I know Nick, one of our specialist can give you more information and he might even have the same flag. Just from the zig-zag sewing technique done on the stars dates the flag from late 19th century to early 20th century with the latter being my best guest. I am not sure what you mean when you say it appears to be handmade. But I don't think the zig-zag sewing technique was an option on consumer sewing machines back then. Nice flag.

[Two Fish]

Hi Eric,

Beautiful flag.

I am an amateur collector just like you with still a lot to learn. One technique I have seen for sewing stars was to stitch around a top star while the back side was just a piece of white cloth. Then after the stitching was finished the back cloth was carefully trimmed along the outside of the stitching to create the back stars. A telltale sign of this is that the front stars have the zig zag stitching half on and half off the stars while the back stars have all of the stitching on top of the stars. Does it look to you like this could be the case with your flag? If so this technique was patented in 1892 and may help you to narrow down the date.

METHOD OF MAKING FLAGS - Google Patents

Good luck with your search for answers. I hope you post your findings once you know.