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13 Star U.S. Navy Commissioning Pennant

About the Item

13 STAR US NAVY COMMISSIONING PENNANT, 1876 ERA, A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE WITH HAND-SEWN STARS:

Commissioning pennants are the distinguishing mark of a commissioned U.S. Navy ship. A ship became commissioned when this pennant was hoisted. Flown during both times of peace and war, the only time the pennant is not flown is if a flag officer or civilian official is aboard and replaces it with their own flag.

This particular example was made around the time of our nation's centennial of independence (1876). Most have a swallowtail form at the extreme fly end, while some, like this flag, simply taper to a finished point.

In 18th and early 19th century America, commissioning pennants would typically have a number of stars that reflected the number of official star on the American national flag. As time progressed, more and more states were added, and number of stars was reduced to either 13 stars, to reflect the original number of states, or 7 stars. According to the U.S. Navy, the reason for the choice of 7 stars was not recorded. I have suggested that this number may have been chosen to stand for the 7 seas, but it may just have well have been for some other purpose. Whatever the case may be, after the turn of the 20th century (1900), most pennants had 7 stars.

The 13 stars on this pennant is a star count that not only reflects the 13 original colonies, but also reflects its size. At approximately twenty feet in length, despite its appearance, this is the pennant of a small craft. During the 18th and 19th centuries, commissioning pennants were a very important means of identifying and U.S. Navy ship on the open seas. For this reason, they often well-exceed twenty feet, with some reaching as long as one hundred feet. By the 20th century, however, they had become largely ceremonial and customary. Today the largest commissioning pennants measure just two-and-a-half inches by six feet, while some are as short as 4 feet on the fly.

The U.S. Navy flew 13 star flags on small boats, not only in the 18th century, but throughout much or all of the 19th century, particularly the second half. Ship captains were paranoid about the ability of foreign ships to recognize the flag on the open seas. On small flags in particular, viewed through a spyglass at a distance, the ability discern individual stars was of great concern. Keeping the count at 13 maintained better visibility and consistency. The practice theoretically ended in 1916 following an executive order from then-President Woodrow Wilson, though old military traditions die hard and according to at least one expert, Wilson?s order did not completely dispel the presence of 13 star flags on U.S. Navy craft.

Construction: The stars are made of cotton, hand-sewn, and double-appliquéd. This means that they are sewn to both sides of the pennant. The body of the pennant is made of wool bunting that has been pieced and joined with treadle stitching. There is a heavy cotton sleeve for hoisting.

Mounting: The pennant has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which was washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye, which was heat-treated for the same purpose. The mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed, Italian molding. A shadowbox was created to accommodate soft folds. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: There is minor mothing throughout, but this is a remarkably good state of preservation for a 19th century wool example.

Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1870-1885
Condition:
See Item Description.
Seller Location:
York County, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: 13j-11911stDibs: U1202208497540

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