Obverse Zoom
Obverse
Obverse - 2
U.S. 13 Star Bible Flag Plus Tintype.
Sub-collection: U.S. 13 Star FlagsThese small flags are often referred to as "bible flags." They were common to both the North and the South during the American Civil War. Often made for a soldier by a mother, wife, sweetheart or sister, smaller flags were often carried by soldiers in pocket bibles as a reminder of loved ones at home. Slightly larger flags were used as bookmarks for passages of scripture in family bibles as a way to remember those serving at the front.
Religion was a factor on both sides, especially after 1863, when the Union and the Confederacy each began to equate their cause with a crusade. In the North the fight to free the slaves was added to the campaign to save the Union, while in the South it became a fight to defend hearths and altars.
It is regrettable that we do not know the soldier or family with which this flag was associated, but it is representative of the religious fervor with which many Union soldiers trampled the Grapes of Wrath.
Exhibition History:
Chicago Meeting December, 2003
(ZFC0253)
13-Star United States Bible Flag
University of California - Santa Cruz
Board of Councilors Meeting, Rare Flags Exhibit
Santa Cruz, CA
7 June 2012
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0253) at a Wesley Cowan auction in 1998.
CMP1290
Hoist & Fly | |
|---|---|
| Width of Hoist | 9.75 |
| Length of Fly | 5.5 |
Union/Canton | |
|---|---|
| Width of Union/Canton | 3.25 |
| Length of Union/Canton | 2.75 |
Stars | |
|---|---|
| Comments on Star Measurements | Single Ring |
| Size of Stars | 0.25 |
Stripes | |
|---|---|
| Width of 1st Stripe | 0.5 |
| Width of 3rd Stripe | 0.5 |
| Width of 8th Stripe | 0.5 |
| Width of Last Stripe | 0.5 |
| Size of Hoist | 0.5 |
Frame | |
|---|---|
| Is it framed? | yes |
| Frame Height | 13.5 |
| Frame Length | 19.25 |
| Comments on Frame | Framed Size 13.5X19.25" |
Stars | |
|---|---|
| Number of Stars | 13 |
| How are the stars embeded? | Embroidered |
| Are there stars on obverse? | yes |
| Are there stars on reverse? | yes |
| Star Pattern | single ring |
| Star Field Design |
|
Stripes | |
|---|---|
| Number of Stripes | 13 |
| Color of Top Stripe | Red |
| Color of Bottom Stripe | Red |
| Has a Blood Stripe? | no |
| Comments on Stripes | silk ribbon flag |
Crest/Emblem | |
|---|---|
| Description of Crest/Emblem | "Betsy Ross Flag" |
Nationality | |
|---|---|
| Nation Represented | United States |
Fabric | |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Silk |
| Comments on Fabric | Ribbon Flag |
Stitching | |
|---|---|
| Stitching | Hand |
Attachment | |
|---|---|
| Method of Attachment | Sleeve |
Applica | |
|---|---|
| Applique Sides | Single Faced = Mirror Image Reverse |
Documentation | |
|---|---|
| Documents |
  |
| Drawings |
All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
|
Condition | |
|---|---|
| Condition | Poor |
| Damage | Used, torn, tattered, silk fracturing Trending to fair |
| Displayable | yes |
Date | |
|---|---|
| Date | 1880s |
Exhibits | |
|---|---|
| Exhibition Copy | Chicago Meeting December, 2003 (ZFC0253) 13-Star United States Bible Flag Date: 1861-1865 Medium: Hand sewn silk Comment: This flag presumably belonged to the unknown Union sergeant depicted on the accompanying full plate tintype, or perhaps it belonged to his wife or his family. These small flags are often referred to as bible flags. They were common to both North and South during the American Civil War. Often made for a soldier by a mother, wife, sweetheart or sister, smaller flags were often carried by soldiers in pocket bibles as a reminder of loved ones at home. Slightly larger flags were used as bookmarks for passages of scripture in family bibles as a way to remember those serving at the front. Religion was a factor on both sides, especially after 1863, when the Union and the Confederacy each began to equate their cause with a crusade. In the North the fight to free the slaves was added to the campaign to save the Union, while in the South it became a fight to defend hearths and altars. It is regrettable that we do not know the soldier or family with which this flag was associated, but it is representative of the religious fervor with which many Union soldiers trampled the Grapes of Wrath. University of California - Santa Cruz Board of Councilors Meeting, Rare Flags Exhibit Santa Cruz, CA 7 June 2012 Santa Cruz, CA, June 7, 2012: The Zaricor Flag Collection exhibited 34 flags and artifacts at the University of California Santa Cruz Campus for the Board of Councilors Meeting. 13 Star United States Bible Flag & U.S. Soldier Tintype Date: 1861-1865 Media: Hand sewn silk, photographic tin. Comment: This flag of the unknown Union sergeant depicted on the accompanying full plate tintype, presumably belonged to his wife and family. These small flags are often referred to as "bible flags." They were common to both the North and the South during the American Civil War. Often made for a soldier by a mother, wife, sweetheart or sister, smaller flags were often carried by soldiers in pocket bibles as a reminder of loved ones at home. Slightly larger flags were used as bookmarks for passages of scripture in family bibles as a way to remember those serving at the front. Religion was a factor on both sides, especially after 1863, when the Union and the Confederacy each began to equate their cause with a crusade. In the North the fight to free the slaves was added to the campaign to save the Union, while in the South it became a fight to defend hearths and altars. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0253) in 1998 from Cowan's Auctions, Cincinnati, OH. www.FlagCollection.com |