Price: Call 618-553-2291, or email info@bonsellamericana.com
Frame Size (H x L): 42.5” x 58” 
Flag Size (H x L): 31.5” x 47”

Offered is a thirty-four star antique flag, printed on cotton.  Its stars are arranged in a 5-6-6-6-6-5 pattern, with notches in the upper-right and lower-right corners.  The stars are tumbling relative to one another, whether viewed via the columns or the rows.

The stripes are closer to orange than red.  The orange is a result of the use of either madder or cochineal to create the red dye, and is common in flags dating between 1850 and 1880.  The orange color of the “red” stripes is attractive and a desirable to collectors.   

The thirty-four star flag represents the inclusion of Kansas to the Union.  Kansas was admitted on January 29th, 1861, and this flag became official on July 4th, 1861.  President Lincoln served, and the Civil War was fought, under this star count.  Many thirty-four star flags predate the first shots of the Civil War in 1861, as flag makers began producing them upon the admission of the Kansas, instead of the time at which the flag was officially admitted to the Union later in the same year.  The thirty-four star flag was official until July 4th 1863, the time at which the thirty-five star flag became official and began to represent the inclusion of West Virginia in the Union. 

Thirty-four and thirty-five star flags were the official flags for the majority of the Civil War, and for this reason, both are extremely collectible.  Flags associated with this time period (1861-1865) and earlier are among the rarest and most desirable of all US flags.  Prior to the Civil War, Americans did not typically display flags for patriotic purposes.  In fact, even the military did not regularly use the flag, as it was not until 1834 that the army field artillery was permitted to carry the traditional US flag, and not until 1841 that regiments carried it.  Instead, most flags prior to the Civil War were used to mark ships, and were massive in scale so as to be seen from large distances. 

The surge in small US flags for patriotic purposes began primarily with onset of the Civil War.  This flag was made during this surge and is a rare survivor.  In fact, this is the only example of this style of flag that we have encountered.   

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 our Large Distressed Black and Gold Frame.

Condition Report: There is oxidation and staining across the entirety of the flag.  The most noticeable such issues are (1) below the canton and (2) in a vertical strip, positioned between the canton and the fly edge.  There is a vertical tear through the canton.  There are printing errors across several of the red stripes.  The aforementioned issues are age appropriate and typical of the era.        

Collectability Level: The Best – Perfect for Advanced Collectors
Date of Origin: 1861-1863  
Number of Stars: 34
Associated War: The Civil War (1861-1865)  
Associated State: Kansas