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 Grand
Luminary or Great Star flags of the Civil War era are
the pinnacle of American flag making design in the 19th
century. They are spectacular statements of unity
and embody the sentiment of our national motto, e
pluribus unum... Out of Many, One. This
particular example has several characteristics that make
it distinct from others of the type. It features a
striking large center star with its tips aligned to the inside corners of the large great
star. The great star is made of smaller stars
aligned along the same axis, showing great precision,
planning and uniformity. The arms of the great
star do not cross in the center, which accentuates the
form of the star itself. Though its tempting to
think that the star was originally 31 stars, and the
three outlier stars were added later, close examination
shows that the construction and materials of the
outliers match the other stars in the flag, and were
added at the time when the flag was made, circa
1861-1864 during the opening years of the American Civil
War. The flag is machine stitched with a treadle
machine, to include the stitching of the stars.
The materials of the flag are very fine quality, with
the blue canton fabric consisting of a heavy weaved
wool, similar to a blanket wool. This is something
typically seen on homemade flags of the era. It's
difficult to say whether or not the flag is, in fact, a
homemade flag. Its materials are more indicative
of a homemade example, but the precision and quality of
the handiwork is indicative of a cottage industry
manufactured flag. The flag is a beautiful
survivor from the early years of the Civil War, and a
majestic example of one of the most highly sought after
styles of antique American flags, the Grand Luminary
flag. |
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Learn more about Great Star Flags. |
Star Count: 34 Stars Dates:
1861-1863
War Era: Civil War
Statehood: Kansas
Construction: Wool Bunting and
Cotton Stars
Catalog Number: IAS-00322 |
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Next:
13 Stars, Early 19th Century
Hand Sewn, John Wales Flag |
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