Frame Size (H x L): 13.25” x 9”
Flag Size (H x L): 2” x 3.5” and Affixed to an 8” Staff

Offered is a scarce 7-star American parade flag, printed on coarse, loosely woven cotton and affixed to its original wooden staff. Small printed flags of this type were commonly produced for patriotic celebration and parade use in the late 19th century. Thirteen-star examples were especially prevalent during the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, where they honored the original colonies and early American independence. This 7-star version, however, is an unusual counterpart associated with Southern sympathies—representing the first wave of Confederate states to secede from the Union in early 1861: South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.

While a handful of 7-star flags were made and waved during the Civil War itself, the present example is of a slightly later make—likely produced between 1876 and 1900, when patriotic flag production expanded and reproduction of earlier secession motifs was not uncommon. Its even, mechanically applied stars and absence of the orange or madder-dyed tones typical of wartime examples suggest postwar manufacture. Period accounts and surviving examples show that Southerners occasionally used not only 7-star flags but also 8-star and 9-star versions to reflect subsequent states joining the Confederacy.

Printed by early mechanical means on open-weave cotton, the flag displays seven white stars on a dark blue canton and thirteen red and white stripes. The coarse weave and slightly uneven ink application lend it a handmade appearance typical of small parade flags from the period. Though modest in size, it represents an important chapter in the divided sentiment of postwar America and the enduring use of the flag as a symbol of identity and memory.

Conservation Process: This flag was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board.  To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the flag, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash.  The flag is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: The flag is presented in an Eastlake-style frame dating to the late 19th century, with a black-painted surface and gilt liner. The outer molding features incised and stenciled gilt ornamentation typical of the Eastlake aesthetic—geometric, refined, and slightly architectural in tone.

Condition Report: The flag survives in outstanding, unused condition, with bright surfaces and no signs of handling or exposure.

Collectability Level: The Good – Perfect for Beginning Collectors and Gifts
Date of Origin: 1876-1890  
Number of Stars: 7
Associated War: The Civil War (1861-1865) 
Associated State: The Confederate States