Frame Size (H x L): 13” x 10”
Flag Size (H x L): 2.5” x 4” and Affixed to a 7” Staff

Offered is an outstanding thirteen-star parade flag.  It was made for the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, and includes the following overprint:

1863-1913
Compliments of
Skelly Post #9
Penna. Dept. G.A.R.  

The Grand Army of the Republic (“GAR”) was a fraternal organization for the veterans of the Union Army, Union Navy, and Marines who served in the Civil War.  GAR members provided support to one another and also remembered those who had fallen in battle.  It was founded in 1866, peaked in 1890 with almost 500,000 members, and dissolved in 1956 when its last member died.  In 1867, the Gettysburg Civil War veterans organized the Corporal Johnston H. Skelly Post No. 9 of the GAR.

Johnston H. Skelly was born in Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania, around 1842. He was the son of Elizabeth A. Skelly and had two brothers, Charles E. Skelly and Daniel Skelly.  Together, Johnston and Charles joined Co. F, 87th Pennsylvania Infantry on September 25, 1861, to fight in the Civil War.  Johnston saw action in several major battles, including the Second Battle of Winchester in June of 1863. During this battle, Skelly sustained severe injuries and later died, on July 12th, 1863, due to the wounds he had sustained.

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, but have been in use ever since.

Small US Navy boats used it as the ensign from 1795 until 1916.  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.

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 is made of chestnut and dates to the 19^th century.       

Condition Report: This flag is in excellent condition.  

Collectability Level: The Great – Perfect for Rising Collectors
Date of Origin: 1913 
Number of Stars: 13
Associated War: The Civil War (1861-1865) 
Associated State: Original 13 Colonies