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This majestic Great Star pattern flag of 35 stars dates to the middle years of the Civil War. Given its construction, being made of cotton which is typically seen on homemade flags rather than professionally manufactured military flags, it's possible that this flag was either made as a homemade presentation color for a Union military unit, or perhaps made for flying at a Union Army recruiting station or military hospital. The quality of the flag's manufacture, despite being made of relatively fragile cotton that would not have weathered well during prolonged outdoor use, is evident in the carefully arranged star pattern, uniformity of the star sizes, and unusual tabs affixed to the hoist of the flag. The cornflower blue canton is attractive and overall, the flag presents beautifully. The Great Star or Grand Luminary pattern is one of the most desirable and visually exciting of patterns one can find in 19th century American Flags, and the pattern reached its height of popularity during the Civil War, where the symbolism of the union of one large star made of each individual star representing the states, was a particularly symbolic and poignant visual symbol of the extraordinary struggle for preserving the Union during the Civil War.


 
Click here to see a gallery of Civil War Era Flags. Star Count: 35

Date: 1863-1865

Era: Civil War

Statehood: West Virginia

Construction: Cotton Stars and Stripes

Catalog Number: IAS-00462

   

Next:
44 Stars, Silk with Gilt Stars
An American Military Flag


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