Uncommon block-printed 35-star American national parade flag (West Virginia statehood), 9 x 6.5, cotton fabric with a raw edge, featuring a tightly packed double wreath (or double medallion) pattern with a large elongated center star (representing the newest state added to the Union) and four flanking corner stars; the arms of the stars have an exaggerated length and thus bear a very interesting folk quality. Framed and in very good to fine condition, with minor fraying, faded colors and light wear, and toning due to adhesive remnants on reverse; not examined outside of vintage frame.
Although the maker of this flag is unknown, these distinctly shaped stars are common to a small family of flags that originated from the same workshop. The maker of this flag made six star counts in this same style: seven, thirteen, fifteen, twenty-nine, thirty-three, and thirty-five. The seven-star flags were made to celebrate the first seven states to secede from the Union, while the 13-star flags were made to celebrate the original 13 states. The 15-star flags were made to celebrate Kentucky’s centennial. And the 29, 33, and 35-star flags were made to celebrate the latest states added to the Union (Iowa, Oregon, and West Virginia, respectively). The 35-star variation is by far the rarest flag produced by this maker, and it is estimated that there are ten or fewer in circulation.
The 35-star flag represents the inclusion of West Virginia to the Union. West Virginia was admitted on June 20, 1863, and this flag became official on July 4, 1863. Not only is the 35-star flag the only flag to represent a state admitted during the Civil War time period, but it also became official during the Civil War. Because it was official for a short time period—around 18 months—and because so many flags were produced in 1861 and 1862, 35-star flags are scarce and are the most desirable of the Civil War counts.
The 35-star flag was official until July 4, 1865, when the official 36-star flag was made to represent the inclusion of Nevada into the Union.
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