Frame Size (H x L): 22” x 27.5”
Flag Size (H x L): 12” x 17.5”

Offered is a thirteen star cotton flag featuring a Douglas-Johnson campaign overprint, Douglas being in reference to Stephen A. Douglas, and Johnson being in reference to Herschel V. Johnson. Douglas was the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party in 1860, and Johnson was the vice-presidential nominee.

Douglas and Johnson ran against Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, the Republican nominees; John Breckenridge and Joseph Lane, the Southern Democratic nominees; and John Bell and Edward Everett, the Constitutional Union nominees. Lincoln and Hamlin won the election with 180 electoral votes and 39.8% of the popular vote. In contrast, Douglas and Johnson received just 12 electoral votes and 29.5% of the popular vote, Breckenridge and Lane received just 72 electoral votes and 18.1% of the popular vote, and Bell and Everett received just 39 electoral votes and 12.6% of the popular votes.

The flag offered herein is extraordinary for at least the following reasons:

First, campaign flags are the most desirable of all flags—particularly those featuring legendary leaders, such as Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Ulysses S. Grant, and Stephen Douglas. The first campaign flags were made in 1840 and were associated with the William Henry Harrison campaign. In 1890, a bill was introduced that attempted to prevent the desecration of the flag by printing, painting, or advertising for public display or private gain. The bill failed. In 1895, a similar bill was introduced, but also failed. But finally, in 1905, a bill passed outlawing the use of marks and portraits on the flag, coat of arms, and other insignia of the United States. With this background in mind, campaign flags are especially difficult to acquire, because they were only made between 1840 and 1905. And in reality, most examples that surface are from a narrower time frame between 1860 and 1890.

Second, it features a portrait of Douglas. Portrait flags are exceptionally striking and desirable. They are amongst the crème de la crème of campaign flags, regardless of the candidate.

Third, this flag is particularly rare, even for a Douglas flag. It is the only example that we have encountered, and it is not documented in the Threads of History, written by Herbert Ridgeway Collins, former curator of the Division of Political History at the Smithsonian Institution. Escaping documentation therein was difficult, being that Collins corresponded with 1000’s of collectors, museums, and universities, in his attempt to catalog every political textile. In total, he documented 1500 examples, dating from 1775 to 1979, yet this flag went under his radar, almost certainly as a function of its rarity.

Fourth, this flag is small enough to frame, handle, and display, yet just big enough to make a statement. In contrast, most campaign flags are either smaller or significantly bigger than this one. The smaller campaign flags are less dramatic and easier to find. The bigger campaign flags—such as handmade or machine sewn examples—are often much too large to display indoors, as they were designed to be hung from porches, buildings, and storefronts. The flag offered herein is the perfect size, adding considerably to its desirability to collectors and statement seekers.

THE THIRTEEN STARS
The canton of this flag has thirteen-stars arranged in a 3-2-3-2-3 star pattern. The maker used thirteen stars to recognize the original thirteen states and perhaps even to simplify the manufacturing process (relative to cutting the stamp to include a star for each state admitted to the Union by 1860).

The 3-2-3-2-3 pattern, which looks like a diamond of stars surrounded by corner stars, is sometimes referred to as the Hopkinson pattern after Francis Hopkinson. While no one knows for sure, it may have been the star pattern for the first flag (not the Betsy Ross pattern). While it is clear that Betsy Ross made flags in in Philadelphia in the 1770's, there is no evidence that she made the first flag in the form of letters, articles, journals, or records. Historians generally do not accept that Ross designed or made the first flag, and instead support that Hopkinson designed it. Hopkinson was a member of the Continental Congress, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a lawyer. The evidence supporting Hopkinson's role includes his claim to Congress, for payment, for having furnished the design of "the flag of the United States of America." Hopkinson asked to be paid in "a Quarter Cask of public wine" and later asked to be paid in $1,440 in Continental paper. Both payments, however, were refused by Congress. Congress agreed that Hopkinson had a role in the design, but refused to pay him based on the argument that he had "consulted" other men.

The original use of the thirteen-star flag dates to June 14th, 1777, the time at which the Continental Congress adopted a resolution creating the first official flag. The resolution stated, “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, that the union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.” Thirteen-star flags were official from 1777-1795, and have been in use ever since.

Thirteen-star flags were also flown at the time of George Washington’s death in 1799 and to celebrate the nation’s 50th anniversary in 1824. They were also flown in 1824 in honor of General Lafayette’s return to the US for his nationwide tour. Celebrations for his Revolutionary War service were held in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, along with many locations in the southern and western states.

Further, thirteen-star flags were also common during the Mexican War in 1846-1848 and the Civil War in 1861-1865. They were both relatively close in time to the revolution, and were very patriotic times, particularly during the Civil War time period when flag use became much more common than had ever previously been the case. Thirteen-star flags were also flown during the centennial celebrations, which were held across the country and, most notably, in Philadelphia at the Centennial International Exhibition.

Conservation Process: This flag was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board. To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the flag, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash. The flag is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Conservation Process: This flag was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board. To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the flag, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash. The flag is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: This offering is in an antique frame with rosewood outer layer and a gilt inner liner. Rosewood is an endangered species and is no longer harvested. It is exceptional and dates to the 1860s.

Condition Report: There is staining across the surface of the flag, most notably across the bottom red and white stripes. There are several small tears and holes. The largest hole is located in the center of the flag above the Douglas & Johnson overprint. It has been masked with matching cotton dating to the 19^th century. In turn, it is barely noticeable, except upon close inspection. The flag is stable and presents wonderfully.

Collectability Level: The Extraordinary – Museum Quality Offerings
Date of Origin: 1860
Number of Stars: 13
Associated State: Original 13 Colonies