Frame Size (H x L): 18” x 13.5”
Flag Size (H x L): 11” x 6”

Offered is a thirty-seven star antique flag printed on cotton bunting. Most thirty-seven star flags of this form were found in an antique quilt (i.e., as filler), along with similarly sized fourteen star flags, which were probably printed by mistake and supposed to be thirteen star flags instead.  Because these flags were protected by the outer layer of the quilt, they surfaced in excellent condition.  Though we are not sure that the flag offered herein surfaced from this quilt, its condition suggests that it did.  The thirty-seven and fourteen star flags are identical to one another, apart from the star count and pattern, of course, and were clearly made by the same maker.  Not only did such flags surface inside of a quilt, they have also been spotted on at least three occasions on centennial era quilts as part of their respective piecework designs.  The fact that these thirty-seven and fourteen star flags often surface in unison suggests that they may have been printed on the same bolt of fabric (i.e., in an alternating fashion). 

The stars on the flag offered herein are arranged in a highly desirable medallion.  This particular medallion includes a large star in the middle, two rings of stars surrounding the large star, and a flanking star in each corner surrounding the rings.  The majority of medallion pattern flags date to between 1861 and 1876.  Beginning in the 1890s, medallion patterns became less common, and linear arrangements became the norm.  Why this occurred is unclear, as flag makers had the freedom to place the stars however they liked until 1912, when President Taft issued Executive Order 1556 establishing the arrangement of the stars into rectilinear rows.       

The large canted star in the middle is sometimes referred to as a “center star.”  A center star is different than a great star, a term used to describe a star made up of smaller stars.  A center star is almost always positioned in the very middle of the canton.  The rest of the stars are then positioned around the center star, and form various different patterns.  The center star represents the newest state added to the Union (e.g., Nebraska in the case of this thirty-seven star flag).  Nebraska was admitted on March 1st, 1867, and this flag became official on July 4th of the same year.  The thirty-seven star flag was the official flag during a portion of the Reconstruction era, and a portion of the Indian Wars era.  Presidents Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Rutherford B. Hayes all served under this flag. 

Thirty-seven star flags are scarce, relative to thirty-six and thirty-eight star flags.  This is because of a lack of major patriotic events following the Civil War and preceding the centennial.  This is further because thirty-eight star flags were often used to celebrate the centennial, instead of the thirty-seven star flag, even though it was the official star count in 1876.  It was common for flag makers to produce anticipatory flags in advance of their official date, making the thirty-eight star flag—and for historical reasons, the thirteen star flag—the most common flags flown during the centennial celebrations of 1876. 

The thirty-seven star flag was official until July 4th 1877, the time at which the thirty-eight star flag became official and began to represent the inclusion of Colorado to the Union.

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 antique frame includes an outer walnut layer and an inner gold layer, and dates to between 1860 and 1890.     

Condition Report: This flag is in excellent condition.

Collectability Level: The Best – Perfect for Advanced Collectors  
Date of Origin: 1867-1877  
Number of Stars: 37
Associated War: The Indian Wars (1860-1890)  
Associated State: Nebraska