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Exhibition Copy

First Presidio Exhibit (ZFC0315) LITHOGRAPH, “THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER” Date: About 1860-1880 Medium: Lithograph on paper Comment: During the third quarter of the nineteenth century, the lithographic firm of Currier & Ives mass-produced great numbers of patriotic and sentimental illustrations for public consumption. The insult to the United States flag flying over Fort Sumter resurrected the memory of another U.S. flag flying over another fort under attack – Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor during the British bombardment of the night of September 13th, 1814. That attack caused Francis Scott Key to pen the poem (almost immediately set to music) “The Star-Spangled Banner”. Although the original “Star-Spangled Banner” had disappeared into private hands at the outbreak of the Civil War, the fifteen-star, fifteen-stripe flag’s image still resounded as a patriotic appeal. The original flag now resides in the collections of Smithsonian Institution and is undergoing extensive conservation. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0315) in 1998 from Wesley Cowan auction of Cincinnati, OH. Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003- Gallery II (ZFC0315) The Star Spangled Banner Lithograph Date: About 1860–1880 Media: Lithograph on paper Comment: During the third quarter of the 19th century, the lithographic firm of Currier & Ives mass-produced patriotic and sentimental illustrations for public consumption. While today this lithograph may seem to be only a generic tribute to the national flag, it held special meaning at the time it was produced. The 1861 assault on the United States flag flying over Fort Sumter was fresh in the minds of the general public. It resurrected the memory of another U.S. flag flying over a fort under attack—Fort McHenry in Baltimore harbor during the British bombardment on the night of September 13, 1814. That event had resulted in the penning of a poem (almost immediately set to music) by Francis Scott Key, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Although the original Star-Spangled Banner had disappeared into private hands long before the Civil War, the name and image of that 15-star, 15-stripe flag still resounded as a patriotic appeal. Today the original flag is considered to be the premier item held by the Smithsonian Institution, where it is currently undergoing extensive conservation.

Title information is available upon specific request. Additional information available upon request to researchers, writers and others demonstrating special circumstances. In some situations, information may not be available.