Price: Call 618-553-2291, or email info@bonsellamericana.com
Frame Size (H x L): 9” x 10.5”
Flag Size (H x L): 4” x 5.75”

Offered is a rare eight-star parade flag made in celebration of Virginia's secession from the Union.  It is printed on glazed cotton and includes stripes that lean towards orange.  The star pattern includes a canted center star, and it is surrounded by a ring of randomly canted stars of the same size.  All of the stars are poorly and whimsically printed, as is often the case on flags dating to the Civil War.

Seven-star flags were made with Southern sympathies and commemorated the first wave of states that seceded from the Union, starting in February of 1861.  The first wave included Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas.  Later, in April of 1861, Virginia seceded as the eighth state.  Similar to the seven-star flags, this eight-star version commemorated the secession of the Southern states and, specifically, the historically important state of Virginia. 

All known eight-star parade flags date to the Civil War, while some seven-star parade flags date to as late as 1890.  Of the parade flags having fewer than thirteen-stars, the eight and nine-star versions are by far the rarest.  Seven-star parade flags, for example, outnumber their eight-star counterparts by a ratio of 100-to-1.

This flag was manufactured in a reverse mount orientation.  A reverse mount is one in which the canton of a US flag is positioned in the upper-right corner.  Current flag ethics state that the canton should always be placed on upper-left, but such a requirement did not exist in the 19^th century.

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: The frame is made of tiger maple and dates to approximately 1840.  It is a highly desirable frame and outstanding in its appearance. 

Condition Report: There is some staining and fading across the surface.  There is a blue stain on the bottom white stripe, along and near the right edge.  This stain appears to be a period stain, likely as a result of the printing process.  A portion of the right edge is missing, perhaps because it was originally affixed to a staff via glue.

Collectability Level: The Best – Perfect for Advanced Collectors  
Date of Origin: 1861   
Number of Stars: 8
Associated War: The Civil War (1861-1865)   
Associated State: Virginia