She’s a Grand Ole Flag…

Thank you to J. Richard Pierce for sharing part of his collection of parade flags on this Independence Day.

13-Star July 4th Flag, circa 1876

Printed on glazed cotton muslin. Wreath pattern with central star, flanked by star in each corner. Ink inscription:

“July 4, 1876”

While it is not possible to determine for certain, it appears the writer originally inscribed “1776” and later changed the date to “1876” honoring the 100th birthday of America.

48-Star, Loa Burley Flag, circa 1914

Printed on cotton. Staggered pattern. Pencil inscription:

“Loa Burley From Florence Mackie. July 4, 1914 Maxwelton, Washington”

Maxwelton, a summer community located on South Whidbey Island, Washington, was first settled by four brothers of the Mackie family in 1905. One of the brothers, Peter and his wife Ada, were the parents of twelve children, including a daughter named Florence.

This flag was given by Florence who was a young girl at the time to her friend Loa Burley, a member of another of Maxwelton-area’s earliest and most prominent families.

Likely this flag was waved at the annual Fourth of July parade which originated shortly after Maxwelton was founded and remains to this day a celebration that brings the community together.

38-Star Ontario Flag, circa 1887

Printed on glazed cotton muslin. Pencil inscription:

“July 4 1887 Ontario”

No specific details are known about the origin of this flag, its owner or whether there is any historical significance to the inscription.

 

 

48-Star University of Virginia Flag
circa 1913

Printed on glazed cotton muslin. Staggered pattern. Ink inscription:

“University of Va. Charlottesville VA
July 4 – 1913”

No specific details are known about the origin of this flag, its owner or whether there is any historical significance to the inscription.

Richard recently published “The Stars and Stripes Fabric of the American Spirit”, with images of flags from his private collection of parade flags. CLICK here to take a look inside the flipbook, made possible by The Astle-Alpaugh Family Foundation.