Obverse - 2
Obverse - 2

Obverse - 2

Book Photo

Book Photo

Obverse

Obverse

REVERSE

REVERSE

Obverse - 3

Obverse - 3

Reverse

Reverse

Obverse

Obverse

Ob. Lower Hoist

Ob. Lower Hoist

Ob. Lower Hoist - 2

Ob. Lower Hoist - 2

ZFC0419

U.S. 13 stars 4-5-4 pattern Flag, Merchant Ensign.

Sub-collection: Guthman / Early American

13 Star U.S. Merchant Ensign, 4-5-4 Star design, Early Federal Period.
The early history of this flag is unknown, but it originates from the personal collection of noted collector William H. Guthman, founder of Guthman Americana in Westport, Connecticut where he was a respected dealer, scholar and author, and was considered a preeminent authority on Colonial and Federal period militaria.

Bill Guthman, an American-history buff since his youth, became interested in military antiques in 1966 from his profession as a textile-manufacturing executive. As a prominent antiques dealer he came to specialize in historical military Americana and helped make them noticed in the collecting world. Mr. Guthman collected artifacts of the French, Indian and American Revolutionary Wars; and was one of the very first individuals to consider militaria as folk art.

There is probably no other 13 star American flag better known to the general public than the "Betsy Ross design" with its 13 red and white stripes and single ring of 13, white 5-point stars. Historians today think that most such flags date from the years 1777-1795, when the 13 star flag was official had rows of stars and not constellations. The reason for this, on sewn flags, was largely practical. It is easier to sew stars onto flags in rows rather than geometric shapes. The five point star is easier to make and easier to see. Evidenced by surviving examples and period illustrations documenting 18th century arrangement for the stars in the United States flag, the 4-5-4 star pattern is both one of the first and one of the most common designs.

Both stars and stripes stood for the 13 original states - Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina and Rhode Island. During the administration of President Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809) the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France. The Lewis and Clark Expedition during those years laid the basis for later American claims to sovereignty in the West.

This flag may well be one of the earliest United States flags in the Zaricor Flag Collection. While the use of cotton stars suggests to some production after 1800; recent scholarship indicates both the presence and use of cotton threads prior to 1793. Recent textile analysis suggests this flag is contemporary of the revolution period (circa 1800). The woolen stripes have selvedges typical of early hand-loomed material and the flag is hand-stitched. The finishing details indicate that a professional manufacturer made this flag, e.g. the finely crafted linen hand whipped-stitched eyelets on the hoist. Interestingly, the marking "1 ½" on the flags cotton heading refers to a flag manufactured to specific fly dimensions; in this case one and a half yards or 54". As a result of extensive usage, the fly has been trimmed and sewn again and is now only 48". The sizeable marking on the heading is more typical of flags manufactured as stock items rather than individually handcrafted on special order. One of the earliest identified flag manufacturers in the United States was Rebecca Young of Philadelphia and Baltimore. She advertised in the newspapers around 1803 that she had ready-made flags. This flag might well be one of her products.

Exhibition History:
First Presidio Exhibit
Thirteen-Star, United States Merchant Ships Ensign

Second Presidio Exhibit Gallery One Copy 2003
13-Star United States Merchant Ship Ensign

Private Showing
Night of Flags in celebration of George Washington's Birthday
The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in California
Patriotic Services Committee
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Octagon House, San Francisco
5:30pm - 7:30pm

Publication History:
Crump, Anne, David Studarus, photographer, "A Grand Old Obsession." American Spirit: Daughters of the American revolution Magazine: July/August 2003: P.20.


Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 17.

Provenance:
• William Guthman of Westport, CT, until 1992.
• Acquired by purchase by the Zaricor Flag Collection, 1992.


ZFC Significant Flag
Item is Framed

Sources:



Madaus, Howard M.- Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict, VZ Publications, Santa Cruz, 2006. P 17.

Goody, Rabbit, ZFC2497 Analysis Report, examination and research for Ben Zaricor, April 2009, Zaricor Flag Collection Archives

Beach, Laura, Noted Scholar and Dealer William H. Guthman Dies, Antiques and Arts Online, 24 October 2011, from:
http://antiquesandthearts.com/Antiques/TradeTalk/2006-01-03__07-52-07.html

The William Guthman Collection, 24 October 2011, from:
http://www.fielddrums.com/Guthman

The William Guthman Sale, Maine Antique Digest, 24 October 2011, from: http://maineantiquedigest.com/articles_archive/articles/mar03/guth0303.htm

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection



Hoist & Fly

Width of Hoist 30.675
Length of Fly 49.25

Union/Canton

Width of Union/Canton 15.75
Length of Union/Canton 21

Stars

Comments on Star Measurements Sizes of all stars vary slightly
Size of Stars 2.5

Stripes

Width of 1st Stripe 3
Width of 3rd Stripe 3
Width of 8th Stripe 2.25
Width of Last Stripe 2.75
Size of Hoist 1.25

Frame

Is it framed? yes
Frame Height 37
Frame Length 58

Stars

Number of Stars 13
How are the stars embeded? Double Applique
Are there stars on obverse? yes
Are there stars on reverse? yes
Comments on Stars 4-5-4 in horizontal rows

Stripes

Number of Stripes 13
Color of Top Stripe Red
Color of Bottom Stripe Red
Has a Blood Stripe? no
Comments on Stripes Hand stitched.

Nationality

Nation Represented United States

Fabric

Fabric Wool
Comments on Fabric Fabric very sheer,
Single ply over single ply
Bunting

Stitching

Stitching Hand

Thread

Type of Thread 2 Ply
Thread Material Linen
Comments on Thread Material All original thread is 2ply linen.
There is a canton repair with synthetic & cotton threads.
Field Thread Hand Spun

Weave

Type of Weave Plain

Attachment

Comments on Method of Attachmen well made, "professional" construction on both hoist and eyelets.
Eyelet or grommet through header
Method of Attachment Whip-stitched

Applica

Applique Sides Single Faced = Mirror Image Reverse

Media PDF
American Spirit Magazine July/August 2003
Press PDF
Whose flag is it, anyway?

Documentation

Documents






















Drawings











Research Documents

Public Copy & Signs


Press
PBS Press Relaese

PBS Press Relaese

Whose flag is it, anyway?

Whose flag is it, anyway?


Condition

Condition Good
Damage Small moth holes in all stripes except 3rd and 9th. Some staining in the lower regions of the flag.
Displayable yes

Date

Date Circa 1790's

Exhibits

Exhibition Copy First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC0419)
THIRTEEN-STAR, UNITED STATES MERCHANT SHIP'S ENSIGN
Date: Probably mid-Federal Period (1800-1805)
Media: Wool bunting and cotton stars; all hand stitched
Comment: This flag may well be the earliest United States flag in the Zaricor Flag Collection. The use of cotton stars suggests production after 1800; the woolen stripes have selvedge edges typical of early power looms and the flag is hand stitched. While it has been suggested that the flag could be even earlier than 1800, the marking "1 1/2" on the flag's linen heading refers to a flag manufactured to a specific fly dimension - one and a half yards, i.e. 54" (The flag's fly has been trimmed and resewn to a length of 48".) The size marking on the heading is more typical of flags manufactured as a "stock item" rather than individually hand crafted on special order. The earliest identified flag manufacturer in the United States was Rebecca Young of Philadelphia and Baltimore, who advertised in the contemporary newspapers about 1803 that she had on hand, ready-made flags. This flag may be one of her products.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0419) in 1992 from William Guthman of Westport, CT.

Second Presidio Exhibit Gallery One Copy - 2003
ZFC0419
13-Star United States Merchant Ship Ensign
Date: Probably mid-Federal Period (1800-1805)
Media: Wool bunting and cotton stars; hand-stitched
Comment: This flag may well be the earliest United States flag in the Zaricor Flag Collection. The use of cotton stars suggests production after 1800; the woolen stripes have selvedges typical of early power-loomed material and the flag is hand-stitched. It has been suggested that the flag could date even earlier than 1800. However, the marking 1 1/2 on the flag's linen heading refers to a flag manufactured to a specific fly dimension-in this case one and a half yards or 54". As a result of extensive usage, the fly has been trimmed and resewn and is now only 48". The size marking on the heading is more typical of flags manufactured as stock items rather than individually hand-crafted on special order. One of the earliest identified flag manufacturers in the United States was Rebecca Young of Philadelphia and Baltimore. She advertised in the newspapers around 1803 that she had on hand ready-made flags and this flag may be one of her products.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0419) in 1992 from William Guthman of Westport, CT.

Night of Flags
In celebration of George Washington's Birthday
The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in California
Patriotic Services Committee
James Ferrigan, Curator, Flag Center
Ben Zaricor, Director, Flag Center
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Octagon House, San Francisco
5:30pm - 7:30 pm
This was a power point slide presentation on the period 13 star flag and Presidential flags in the Flag Center/Zaricor Flag Collection and comments by Ben Zaricor wherein the image of this flag was displayed.

Publications

Publication Copy Crump, Anne, David Studarus, photographer, "A Grand Old Obsession." American Spirit: Daughters of the American revolution Magazine: July/August 2003: P.20. (see images below)


Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 17.

13-Star United States Merchant Ship Ensign
This flag is one of the earliest United States flags in the Zaricor Flag Collection. The use of cotton stars suggests production after 1799; the woolen stripes have selvedges typical of early power-loomed material and the flag is hand-stitched. It has been suggested that the flag could date even earlier than 1800. The marking "11⁄2" on the flag's linen heading refers to a flag manufactured to a specific fly dimension-in this case one and a half yards or 54". As a result of extensive usage, the fly has been trimmed and resewn and is now only 48". The size marking on the heading is more typical of flags manufactured as stock items rather than individually hand-crafted on special order. One of the earliest identified flag manufacturers in the United States was Rebecca Young of Philadelphia and Baltimore. She advertised in the newspapers around