$3,750
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000
A Grand Old Flag: The Stars and Stripes Collection of Dr. Peter J. Keim
Auction: November 24, 2019 1:00:00 PM EDT
Hand-sewn, single appliqued cotton stars arranged in the 'Phalanx' pattern, rows of 7,7,6,7,7 centering an open space, on a two-part wool bunting canton, the stars 'peek' through, hand-sewn wool bunting stripes, the lowermost stripe embroidered with the initials, "CV," linen hoist bears "Mastai Collection" stamp, "No. 6," and hand-written, "Chas. Vigcao."
70 in. x 112 in.Provenance: The Collection of Boleslaw and Marie-Louise d'Otrange Mastai.
Literature: Kevin Keim & Peter Keim, A Grand Old Flag: A History of the United States Through its Flags (2007), 115.
Boleslaw and Marie-Louise d'Otrange Mastai,The Stars and The Stripes: The American Flag as Art and as History from the Birth of the Republic to the Present (1973), 113.
Note: The Mastais' description of this Flag: "The strikingly original 'Open-Center Flag' of thirty-four stars recalls the 'square formation' pattern of earlier days...but the purpose of the arrangement may have been primarily practical, space beinging allowed for the thirty-fifth star (West Virginia's), known to be shortly forthcoming. The patterning made possible the balanced design of equal, aligned rows, the sturdy "phalanx" apparently facing attack staunchly in all directions. In addition, however- and the remark applied to all these antique American flags- since no attention was paid to matching the directions of the stars' rays, and other minor irregularities are evident in the handwork, there is a pleasant sparkle that preserves the composition from ponderousness."