13 STAR FLAG WITH HAND-SEWN, CANTED STARS IN A 3-2-3-2-3 PATTERN, THE ONLY EXAMPLE I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED WITH THE MARK OF THE “UNITED STATES LIGHTHOUSE ESTABLISHMENT”, AN EXCEPTIONAL EXAMPLE IN A WONDERFUL SMALL SCALE, MADE ca 1880 - 1895 |
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Web ID: | 13j-1334 |
Available: | In Stock |
Frame Size (H x L): | 35" x 52.5" |
Flag Size (H x L): | 24.5" x 42.25" |
Description: | |
13 star American national flag, made sometime between 1870 and 1890, with an especially rare and interesting black-inked mark along the hoist binding that reads “U.S. Lighthouse Establishment” in Old English style lettering. This is the only flag I have ever encountered with markings related to this organization, which was created shortly following the Revolutionary War, in 1789, and operated under the Department of the Treasury. In that year all U.S. lighthouse ownership was transferred to the government, which became the general lighthouse authority. In 1852, The Lighthouse Board was created, following complaints of the shipping industry of the Lighthouse Establishment, which, since 1820, had been under the control of Stephen Pleasonton. This new, quasi-military board first met on April 28, 1851, after which time the administration of lighthouses and other aids to navigation took their largest leap toward modernization since the inception of federal government control. In 1910, the Lighthouse Board was disestablished in favor of a more civilian Lighthouse Service, under the Department of Commerce, and in 1939 this was merged into the United States Coast Guard. While this flag bears the “U.S. Lighthouse Establishment” marking, it was most certainly made later, under the auspices of the The Lighthouse Board. The construction is indicative of the period between the 1880’s and the mid-1890’s. More to follow... |
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Collector Level: | Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything |
Flag Type: | Sewn flag |
Star Count: | 13 |
Earliest Date of Origin: | 1880 |
Latest Date of Origin: | 1895 |
State/Affiliation: | 13 Original Colonies |
War Association: | 1866-1890 Indian Wars |
Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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