Frame Size (H x L): 29” x 45.75”
Flag Size (H x L): 18” x 34.75”

Offered is an outstanding campaign flag with the following black overprint across its stripes:

THE UNION LEAGUE
McKINLEY
AND
ROOSEVELT
1900

It is printed on cotton bunting. Flags like this—but without the McKinley and Roosevelt overprint—sometimes still surface in their original form, on rolls, and back-to-back to one another. These rolls can then be cut into individual flags either by the buyer or the seller, much like a yard of fabric is cut from an overall roll thereof.

The canton of this flag features forty-five stars arranged in a 7-8-7-8-7-8 pattern. The stars are arranged in a tumbling orientation, as a result of some stars being positioned in the normal orientation, while others are positioned in canted orientations. The canton is a deep blue, and the stripes are a rich red.

An example of this flag is documented in the Threads of History, written by Herbert Ridgeway Collins. The referenced example is shown as item number 829 and was held in the private collection of Edwin L. Veleber. Mr. Collins was the curator of the Division of Political History at the Smithsonian Institute.

For at least the following reasons, this is an extraordinary flag:

First, campaign flags are amongst the most desirable of all flags, particularly those that feature beloved leaders, such as Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Teddy Roosevelt. The first campaign flags were made in 1840 and were associated with the William Henry Harrison campaign. In 1890, a bill was introduced that attempted to prevent the desecration of the flag by printing, painting, or advertising for public display or private gain. The bill failed. Then, in 1895, a similar bill was introduced, but also failed. And finally, in 1905, a bill passed outlawing the use of marks and portraits on the flag, coat of arms, and other insignia of the United States.

With this background in mind, campaign flags are especially difficult to acquire, because they were only made between 1840 and 1905. And in reality, most examples that surface are from a narrower time frame between 1860 and 1890. The campaign flags that date to before 1860 were made in low volumes and additionally were less likely to have survived. Likewise, the campaign flags that date to after 1890 were also made in low volumes. By 1890, politicians knew that campaign flags were losing favor and likely to be outlawed. For this reason, this McKinley and Roosevelt flag, which was made in 1900, is particularly unusual. In fact, there is only one other style of flag—at least in the form of the stars and stripes—that features McKinley and Roosevelt. This flag also has forty-five stars and includes portraits of the candidates, along the hoist edge, to the left of the canton and stripes.

Second, this flag is scarce. There are only six known examples:

• The first is featured herein and was found in Philadelphia.

• The second is featured in the Threads of History, as discussed above.

• The third is in the collection of the Union League of Philadelphia. Records describe the flag as “Banner. Small American Presidential campaign flag with 45 stars with printed in white stripes, ‘The Union League McKinley and Roosevelt 1900.’ Location: Shelf HH.3, 1900.”

• The fourth is in the collection of the Union League Club of New York.

• The fifth and sixth examples are both in private collections, at least one of which was found in Philadelphia.

Third, obviously from the overprint, we know that this flag was associated with the Union League and the year 1900. Knowing the maker is quite unusual, and less so—but still to a certain extent—knowing the year is also unusual.

For several reasons, the general reference to Union League is most likely in reference to the Union League of Philadelphia. As described above, at least three of the six known examples tie back to Philadelphia. Further, the Union League of Philadelphia is generally referred to as the Union League. In contrast, New York and Chicago have their own respective Union League “Clubs.” And still further, in 1900, the Republican National Convention was held in Philadelphia. The Union League of Philadelphia was actively engaged in bringing the Convention to its city, participating in the Convention, and supporting McKinley and Roosevelt.

The Union League was founded in 1862, its purpose being to support the Union and Lincoln. Though initially nonpartisan, by 1865, it was in open alliance with the Republican Party and pro-Union Democrats (and in open opposition to “Copperhead” Democrats). Following the Civil War, Union Leagues were formed across the South. By 1867, many black voters were enrolled in the Union League or a politically equivalent organization.

The Union League went on to support clean government. As one example, cartoonist Thomas Nast was instrumental in breaking William “Boss” Tweed and Tammany Hall. As another example, Manhattan District Attorney Charles S. Whitman, a member of the Union League, used its facilities to interview witnesses in private, so as to prepare for the trial of corrupt NYPD Lieutenant Charles Becker. Becker was executed for the first-degree murder of gambler Herman Rosenthal, in 1912, in Times Square. He is thought to be the only police officer executed for a crime in connection with his professional capacity as a police officer.

The Union League also went on to be a strong public supporter. It fed the hungry during the Great Depression, found jobs for soldiers returning from World War II, and gave support to the American military beginning with the Civil War and every war since. It also founded the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and it funded the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal and Grant’s Tomb.

Membership to the Union League is highly selective—not just in the nineteenth century, but even in the present. Past members include Robert Todd Lincoln, Daniel Burnham, Chester A. Arthur, Ulysses S. Grant, and Herbert Hoover, just to name a few examples. McKinley became a member in 1897. Interestingly, Roosevelt was initially blackballed when he first applied in 1881, the basis being that his mother was a Confederate Sympathizer. Following the death of his mother, he was offered a membership and accepted in 1884.

The Union League of Philadelphia is considered the best city club in the United States. It has over 4,000 members, many of whom are leaders in business, education, technology, healthcare, law, government, art, and culture. The League House, built in 1865, occupies an entire block in the heart of the city. It is a French Renaissance styled structure with a brown façade and twin circular staircases leading to its entrance. It is adorned with important works of art and artifacts, many of which—if not all of which—are documented by the University of Pennsylvania. It was added to the National Historic Register in 1979.

And fourth, this flag is small enough to frame, handle, and display, but big enough to make a statement. In contrast, most campaign flags are either significantly smaller or bigger than this one. The smaller campaign flags are less dramatic and easier to find. The bigger campaign flags—such as handmade or machine sewn examples—are often much too large to display indoors, as they were designed to be hung from porches, buildings, and storefronts. The flag offered herein is the perfect size, adding considerably to its desirability to collectors.

McKINLEY AND ROOSEVELT
McKinley was the presidential nominee for the Republican Party in 1896, and Garret Hobart was his vice-presidential running mate. McKinley’s most formidable opponent was Bryan, who was the nominee for the Democratic Party. McKinley defeated Bryan. McKinley won 271 electoral votes and 51% of the popular vote, while Bryan won only 176 electoral votes and 47% of the popular vote. McKinley was a proponent of the gold standard and “honest money.” In contrast, Bryan was a proponent of the free coinage of silver, despite inflation concerns related thereto.

McKinley was again the presidential nominee for the Republican Party in 1900, but this time Roosevelt was his vice-presidential running mate. Again, McKinley’s most formidable opponent was Bryan, and again McKinley defeated him. McKinley won 292 electoral votes and 52% of the popular vote, while Bryan won only 155 electoral votes and 46% of the popular vote.

Roosevelt was a reformer who was best known for removing corrupt officials and regulating corporations. Such actions irritated Republican leaders. And in response, they were relieved to have him as the vice-president, the thought being that his role would be ceremonial in nature and sidetrack him from continuing to reform and regulate. In 1901, however, McKinley was assassinated, and Roosevelt became the youngest president in history.

FORTY-FIVE STAR FLAGS GENERALLY
Forty-five star flags represent the inclusion of Utah to the Union. Utah was admitted on January 4th, 1896, and this flag became official on July 4th, 1896. Presidents Grover Cleveland, William McKinley, and Teddy Roosevelt served under this flag, and the Spanish-American War was fought under it.

In 1848 Utah became a territory of the United States, and in 1849 its constitution was established as the Mormon State of Deseret. The next year, the State of Deseret applied to become a state, but Congress rejected the application and changed its name to the Utah Territory, which included the entirety of Nevada and portions of Colorado and Wyoming (as a section of the Missouri Compromise). Despite its continued efforts to gain statehood, it remained a territory, partially as a result of the Mormon Church and Utah authorities being openly tolerant of polygamy. In 1890 Utah outlawed the practice, and in 1896 Utah finally became the forty-fifth state. The forty-five star flag was official for 12 years up until July 4th, 1908, when the forty-six star flag became official and began to represent the inclusion of Oklahoma 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 offering is in our Large Distressed Black and Gold Frame.

Condition Report: This flag includes some minor stains and a bit of fading. The hoist strip includes several tears, but only because this flag was at one time attached to a staff. The most significant—but still relatively small—tear is above and to the right of the “E” of “LEAGUE.” Of the three examples of this flag we have encountered, this one is in the best condition.

Collectability Level: The Extraordinary – Museum Quality Offerings
Date of Origin: 1900
Number of Stars: 45
Associated State: Utah