Old Glory: The Wonder of Antique U.S. Flags
By Teresa Ambord
Americana is an increasingly popular collectible. And what is more American than a genuine antique U.S. flag? Flag experts suggest that before you go shopping for an antique flag, you learn a little bit about them.
Jeff Bridgman, owner of Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques in historic York County, Pennsylvania, recommends that you get your hands on this book, Stripes and Stars: The Evolution of the American Flag by Boleslaw Mastai. The book is no longer in print, but is available on some Internet sites. Bridgman warns to be sure this book has at least 200 pages, since there is a shorter book available by the same title.
Here are some important facts about early flags.
There are two basic types: sewn flags and parade flags.
Sewn
If an individual wanted a flag for long-term use, like to fly over a business or government building, he or she would buy a sewn flag. Early sewn flags were made of linen, cotton, silk, wool bunting, or some combination of these.
The most economical way to buy an early sewn flag is to buy a big one. They were originally made for use on ships for the first century of their existence. Nineteenth century flags therefore, tended to be large, more than 8 feet long. For that reason, smaller flags are harder to find and thus more expensive. Sewn flags are priced between $350 and $35,000.
Parade
Parade flags were made less durable since they were more for show. Some were intended to be used for only a day and then discarded. Therefore there are not a lot of examples. They were printed on cotton, silk, or wool, for short-term use at events such as political rallies and parades. Some were "hand-wavers" as small as one and one-half inches long to three feet long, though some were as big as nine feet long. Like sewn flags, the price depends on factors such as size, star pattern, condition, the flag's place in history, and more. Parade flags generally cost between $200 and $7,500.
How Old is This Flag?
If you have an early flag or are considering buying one but you're not sure how old it is, here is one clue: Flags that include machine sewing could not be earlier than the mid-1830s. Machine sewing became frequently used as the second half of the 1800s on the strides, while the stars were still done by hand. Hand-sewing had pretty much disappeared by 1900.
While condition plays a part in the pricing of most antiques, it is expected with flags that there will be some damage since they are used primarily outdoors.
You will see on early flags that there are many configurations of stars. That's because before 1912 there was no regulation of how the stars should be laid out.
Here are two flag collections you can enjoy: