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Only a handful of
thirteen star flags in this quirky and interesting
pattern are known to survive. One surviving example of
this type with three scattered stars in the center of a
ten star wreath has the name "C. C. Fuller, Worcester,
Mass." stenciled on the hoist. The Fuller Regalia &
Costume Company operated with shops in Worcester and
Boston, and sold flags, banners, sashes, and custom
jewelry for political, social and fraternal
organizations. Fuller flags, such as this example, are
immediately recognizable, despite being incredibly
scarce. I'm aware of just a handful, likely fewer than
twenty known examples of all types and ages, of thirteen
star flags with a wreath of ten stars surrounding three
center stars. The Fuller flags are made with zig-zag
stitching and their construction techniques and
materials are indicative of an 1895-1925 date range for
their construction. This flag is made of wool bunting
with cotton stars, and is an unusually small size for a
pieced-and-sewn flag at just 18" tall and 24" wide. The
red dye of the stripes was not quite dye-set, and
there's a slight hint of bleeding in the color,
indicating that the flag was likely flown outdoors and
exposed to rain at some point in its history. Overall,
the coloration of the flag is beautiful and the pattern
is extremely eye catching. It is a rare example of a
thirteen star flag from the turn of the 20th century,
and a fine example of the C. C. Fuller type. |
