Frame Size (H x L): 15” x 20.5”
Flag Size (H x L): 8.25” x 13.75”

Offered is a thirty-six star antique flag, printed on coarse glazed cotton.  Its star pattern includes a massive star in the middle of the canton.  Further, a wreath of seventeen stars surrounds the massive star, and a parenthesis of fourteen stars surrounds the wreath.  Still further, each corner of the canton includes a flanking star, and they combine so as to surround the parenthesis.  The left-round bracket of the parenthesis includes seven stars, and likewise the right-round bracket includes seven stars. 

Until 1912, flag makers were free to arrange the stars on a flag’s canton in any manner they liked.  However, on June 24th, 1912, President Taft issued Executive Order 1556, specifying that the star pattern on forty-eight star flags should be a rectilinear 8-8-8-8-8-8 pattern.  Prior to 1912 and particularly prior to 1890, flags exhibited a variety of patterns, including medallion patterns, great star patterns, snowflake patterns, and beehive patterns, just to name a few examples.  Despite this extensive variety of patterns, the general pattern of this flag—most notably the inclusion of the parenthesis—is extraordinarily rare and its exact pattern is unique thereto.  In fact, we are only aware of three other styles of flags that include a parenthesis, and in those styles, the parenthesis is buried so as to be visually lost in the surrounding stars.  In contrast, the parenthesis of this flag is highly visible relative to the surrounding stars.   

The massive star, in the middle of this flag’s pattern, is akin to a “center star.”  The 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 they form various different patterns.  The center star represents the newest state added to the Union (e.g., Nevada in the case of this thirty-six star flag).  Center stars are typically larger than the surrounding stars, and typically are either solid or solid with a single halo.  Even though the center star is the largest of the stars in many patterns, rarely is the center star as proportionally large as the massive star of this flag.

The massive star is positioned upside down, meaning that a single point is facing downwards and two points are facing upwards.  Why stars are placed upside down on antique flags is unclear.  In at least some cases, flag makers probably did not consider any orientation of the stars to be “upwards” or “downwards,” and simply just placed them whichever they felt was correct. 

The remaining stars of this flag are crudely shaped, and the stripes are closer to orange than red.  Such a color 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. 

Yet another unusual characteristic of this flag is that it has an extra white stripe along its bottom.  In the case of some flags, the inclusion of one or more extra stripes is symbolic.  However, in the case of this flag, it most likely was cut from a larger piece of glazed cotton that included many other flags.  The placement of the cut and the flags may sometimes result in an extra white stripe or possibly two extra white stripes.  The inclusion of the extra white stripe adds visual appeal and interest to this flag.

This flag is one of just two known examples.  The other example was part of the Pierce Collection of American Parade Flags.  Mr. Pierce’s example is featured in his book: The Stars and Stripes | Fabric of the American Spirit.  Specifically, he featured it on page 18.    

Thirty-six star flags represent the inclusion of Nevada to the Union, and such flags were waved in celebration of the conclusion of the Civil War.  Nevada was admitted on October 31st, 1864, and this flag became official on July 4th, 1865.  Nevada was originally part of the Utah Territory beginning in 1850, became its own territory in 1861, and became its own state in 1864.

The timing of Nevada's inclusion was politically and economically based.  For political reasons, Nevada was admitted to the Union just eight days prior to President Lincoln's re-election bid against General George McClellan.  Such timing was meant to benefit Lincoln and his fellow Republicans.  For economic reasons, Nevada was included as part of the Union to help it pay off the country’s war debts.  Economically, Nevada was particularly attractive at the time, because of its significant silver mining industry.  Nevada expanded its borders in 1866 when the western Utah Territory was added to its eastern side, and further expanded in 1867 when a portion Pah-Ute County in the Arizona Territory was added to its southern side.  

The thirty-six star flag was the official flag for the last six months of the Civil War, and was used by the military during that time.  It was also the official flag during a portion of the Reconstruction era.  The thirty-six star flag was official until July 4th, 1867, the time at which the thirty-seven star flag became official and began to represent the inclusion of Nebraska in 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: This flag is in a maple burl frame.  It dates to approximately 1850.    

Condition Report: There is moderate toning and staining across the surface of this flag.  Most notably, there is noticeable staining on the bottom four white stripes.

Collectability Level: The Best – Perfect for Advanced Collectors  
Date of Origin: 1864-1867  
Number of Stars: 36  
Associated War: Civil War (1861-1865)
Associated State: Nevada