U.S. 33 Star Grand Luminary Flag.

33 Star U.S. Grand Luminary Flag, 1859 - 1861, former Soldiers & Sailors Museum & Memorial Collection.
The canton of this hand stitched, cotton, double appliqué Grand Luminary flag is its most striking feature. The use of four different size stars to form the great star on a Grand Luminary flag is thought to be not only unique, but also extremely rare. Dating from 1859 to1860, 33 star United States flags were used for less than two years. This flag's size, 72" x 108", does not betray any obvious uses, and since it is without markings its use has been lost to history.

This flag has been, without attribution, in the original collection of the Soldiers and Sailors Museum and Memorial since the museum was created in Pittsburgh, PA. The museum was founded in the 1890s by the Grand Army of the Republic to recognize the sacrifice, valor, and patriotism of the Civil War service of soldiers and sailors from Allegheny County, PA. Later the institution transformed its mission into honoring all the men and women of Pennsylvania who have served any branch of the United States military, and in any conflict.

Due to its similarity in size to ZFC0001, a California Militia flag from 1858, and its vernacular origins, it has been speculated that this flag is a militia color or a camp flag with an Allegheny County Pennsylvania association. It is entirely hand-made, containing both wool and cotton stripes and a roped hoist. Furthermore, it conforms to no known federal military size or pattern, reinforcing the militia theories about this flag.

Provenance:
• By repute Allegheny County Militia, 1859-1865.
• Grand Army of the Republic, Pittsburgh, PA, 1890s.
• Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, Pittsburgh, PA, until deaccession, 2007
• Sold via James D. Julia Auctions of Fairfield, ME to Zaricor Flag Collection, 2007.


ZFC Significant Flag