History of "Old Glory"

Considering their patriotic context and visceral graphic appeal as wall-hangers antique US flags have not garnered in big prices compared to comparable categories of American folk art. Generally, $5-for 48, $25-$50 for 49 star flags; $50-$200 for 44-46 stars; $200-$1,000 for 38-42 stars; $500-$2000 for 34-37 stars and $1,000 and up for 33 stars or less. 43 star flags, the official U.S. designate for only the year 1890, are rare for later pennants and consequently fetch prices comparable to mid 19th century examples.

As is true today, Old Glory has been produced officially and privately in a variety of materials, methods and sizes. Printed "flaglets," often on glazed muslin and having 37 stars or less, can sometimes be found within the pages of old bibles. Frequently carried by soldiers, they are now sought after by both and military and political collectors. Because Americans take pride in their antiques, collectors seek flags they can frame and hang up on a wall for display their home or office. Consequently, medium sizes frequently fetch as much or more those having immense proportions.

In addition to age and size, graphic appeal, condition, provenance and historical context are important factors in gauging the antique value of old flags. Unusual canton star patterns and those bearing political campaign and celebration themes, like an Abraham Lincoln victory flag, fetch premium prices. Perhaps most sought-after of all are flags with a traceable battle or political history. A Union or Confederate flag carried at Gettysburg would certainly command $5,000 and up. Those artistically photographed Stars & Stripes raised by marines at Iwo Jima and firemen at "Ground Zero" in NY can have no monetary value attributed to them. They are national treasures.

While early flags with printed or even painted-on decoration occasionally appear, most examples were constructed with great care combining pre-cut red, white and blue fabrics in a patchwork method, similar to early hand wrought quilts. Most Pre-1850 examples are meticulously hand-sewn, as the sewing machine did not come into wide usage until the mid 19th century. Just as contemporary United States flags are proud emblems to be displayed out-of-doors, earlier examples can be shown with equal pride incorporated within interior design. As you begin your search for American heirlooms that will certainly soar in value, here's some historical facts concerning old flags you may find interesting:

American "Grand Union" Revolutionary flags first raised around 1775 featured the British Union Jack in the upper left canton complimented by the identical red and white striping field as found on the US flag today.
Emblematic devices like pine trees, anchors, beavers, rattlesnakes and "Don't Tread on Me" often appeared on Colonial and American state and Union flags produced during the 18th and early 19th century.
June 14, 1777 Continental Congress decreed, "The flag of the United States shall be 13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation." Although the thirteen stars were usually arranged in a circle, no rule stipulated such a pattern.
Recognizing the admission of Vermont and Kentucky to the Union, Jan 13, 1794 Congress redesigned the flag with 15 stripes and 15 stars.
With twenty states now in the Union, January 18, 1818, Congress decreed that "the flag should contain 13 alternate red and white stripes representing the original 13 states, and that a star for each new state should be added on July 4, following its admission.
Toward dating flags and art containing flags; officially designated emblems following the original 13, 15 and 20 star flags are: 21 star/Illinois/1818, 23/Maine & Alabama/1820, 24/Missouri/1822, 25/Arkansas/1826, 26/Michigan/1827, 27/Florida/1825, 28/Texas/1846, 29/Iowa/1847, 30/Wisconson/1848, 31/California/1851, 32/Minnesota/1858, 33/Oregon/1859, 34/Kansas/1861, 35/West Virginia/1863, 36/Nevada/1865, 37/Nebraska/1867, 38/Colorado/1877, 43/5 states/1890, 44/Wyoming/1891, 45/Utah/1896, 46/Oklahoma/1898, 48/New Mexico & Arizona/1912, 49/Alaska/1959, 50/Hawaii/1960
Contrary to popular myth, there is no written evidence of seamstress Betsy Ross having designed or even fashioned the first official American flag. It is likely a family yarn initiated by her grandson, William Canby, in 1870. Documentary evidence points to New Jersey Declaration signer, Francis Hopkinson as a more likely candidate. Betsy Ross was commissioned, along with several other patriots, to wrought flags during the Revolution. A voucher dated May 29, 1777 describes paying Ross "14 pounds and some shillings for making flags for the Pennsylvania Navy." Ross continued her craft of flag-making for many thereafter.
During the evening of September 12, 1814, while the British fleet bombarded Fort McHenry, the Star Spangled Banner really was inspired by lawyer/poet Francis Scott Key's observations. " I saw the flag of my country waving over a city-the strength and pride of my native State-a city devoted to plunder and desolation by its assailants," Key told a hometown audience, years later in Frederick, Maryland.

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