Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 5

One of the Two Earliest British Union Jacks

About the Item

ONE OF THE TWO EARLIEST BRITISH UNION JACKS THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED IN PRIVATE HANDS, 1801-1835: In the world of antique American flags, those dating prior to 1860 are especially scarce. Among national flags made throughout the rest of the world, those dating prior to the turn of the 20th century are of comparable rarity, and the further back you turn the clock, the scarcer they become. Flags of any kind that date as far back as the first quarter of the 19th century are so few and far between that they are about the earliest that one can reasonably ever expect to encounter and of considerable magnitude in terms of desirability. This British Union Jack probably dates to the period between 1801 and the mid-1830's. Its design post-dates the Act of Union of 1800, in which the Kingdoms of Ireland and Great Britain joined to form the United Kingdom. In January of 1801, a red saltire, to symbolize the Cross of St. Patrick, was laid over that of St. Andrew, in white, which was previously present to represent Scotland. These lay behind the Cross of St. George, in red on a white ground, to represent England. The flag is made of single ply wool bunting with the sort of crude, open, homespun-like weave that is characteristic of flags of this period. Entirely hand-sewn, there is a sailcloth binding along the hoist, through which a braided rope was inserted and stitched in place. Loops are incorporated at both ends and there is a tapered wooden toggle at the top. The textile has an extraordinary presentation, looking every bit its age on one hand, but at the same time beautifully well-preserved and with a lustrous appearance. "Stenning Johnson" is written along the hoist with a dip pen. This would indicate the name of a former owner. A man of the cloth by this name, born in Chichester in 1818, served the Church of England as priest vicar in Chichester Cathedral, then afterwards as incumbent at West Itchenor (1847-1883). The latter was a ship building port during the Napoleanic Wars (1803-1815). Presuming that the name on the and this particular priest belong to one-another, it seems likely that the flag was passed down, gifted, or presented to him for safekeeping. It's hoist is typical of naval flags and maritime use may have well been its purpose. Whatever the case may be, the flag is extraordinarily early among its counterparts and one of the two oldest examples that I have ever encountered. Some interesting facts about British flags: No law has ever been passed to make the Union jack the national flag of the United Kingdom. Instead it has become so through precedent. Its first recorded recognition as a national flag came in 1908, when it was stated in Parliament that "the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag". A more categorical statement was made by the Home Secretary, Sir John Gilmour, in 1933 when he stated that "the Union Jack is the National Flag". It is still officially a flag of the monarch, however, rather than the country. Civilian use of the Union Jack is permitted on land, but non-naval/military use at sea is prohibited. On land, the Union Jack can be flown by any individual or organization on any day they wish. Until very recently, however, government was strictly regulated. Prior to 2007, it could only be flown on government buildings on days certain specified days, such as those marking the birthdays of members of the Royal Family, the wedding anniversary of the Monarch, Commonwealth Day, Accession Day, Coronation Day, The Queen's official birthday, Remembrance Sunday and on the days of the State Opening and prorogation of Parliament. At sea, different rules apply. Prior to 1864, the Red Ensign, White Ensign, and Blue Ensign were all flown by ships of the Royal Navy (RN). In that year, all RN ships were ordered to fly the White Ensign and it became the sole naval flag of the United Kingdom. Until the mid- to late 1960's, the White Ensign was also flown by Canadian, Australian and New Zealand warships. The Blue Ensign was reserved for merchant vessels whose masters are qualified Royal Naval Reserve [RNR] officers and which meet certain other requirements, while the Red Ensign became the British civil ensign. When flown from the bows of RN ships, the Union Flag (its proper name), a.k.a. "Union Jack", is the British naval jack. When flown from the mast in 2:3 proportions, it is the rank flag of an Admiral of the Fleet. At sea, the Union Jack is reserved for the RN and no other British ships are permitted to fly it. Mounting: The flag has not yet been mounted. Condition: There are minor losses in the wool fabric and there are two small areas with darning repairs, but the condition is extraordinary for an antique British flag of any period. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.

Dimensions:
Height: 43 in (109.22 cm)Width: 87 in (220.98 cm)
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1801-1835
Condition:
See Item Description.
Seller Location:
York County, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: BRITj-8241stDibs: LU84971172362

Antique Late 19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

19th Century Brass Doorstop With The British Royal Coat-Of-Arms

$725

H 10 in W 11.25 in D 3 in

1864 Lincoln Johnson Boston Union Presidential Ticket

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Presented is an original Massachusetts Union Presidential ticket for the November 8, 1864 election. The paper ticket is printed in black, headed by a large spreadwing eagle carrying ...

Category

Antique 1860s Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

1864 Lincoln Johnson Boston Union Presidential Ticket

$2,750

H 20.5 in W 12.5 in D 1.25 in

British Royal Coat of Arms Wall Plaque This is a Large scale piece

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

British Royal Coat of Arms Wall Plaque This is a Large scale piece, it dates from the 1950s and is made in plaster and it is painted in very bright colours, The plaque has metal fi...

Category

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Plaster

British Royal Coat of Arms Wall Plaque This is a Large scale piece

$2,730

H 29 in W 26 in D 3 in

1868 Map of the Upper Part of the Island of Manhattan Above 86th Street

By Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co.

Located in San Francisco, CA

This wonderful piece of New York City history is over 150 years old. It depicts 86th street and above. It was lithographed by WC Rogers and company. It was made to show what was the Battle of Harlem during the Revolutionary war...

Category

Antique 1860s American American Colonial Maps

Materials

Paper

1868 Map of the Upper Part of the Island of Manhattan Above 86th Street

$475

H 15.5 in W 24.6 in D 1 in

Vintage British Empire Dominion Coronation Flag

Located in Hastings, GB

Patriotic British Coronation Dominions Flag British Royal Family The flag represents the British Empire and the unity between the UK and its dominions during the coronation of King ...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

Vintage British Empire Dominion Coronation Flag

$1,221

H 61 in W 92 in D 0.1 in

Unique 18th Century English Carved Panel of Two Kings

Located in Greenwich, CT

Unique carved Folk Art panel, dated 1768, depicting a double portrait of mythological kings, whimsically portrayed in miniature stature with protruding...

Category

Antique 1760s English Folk Art Wall-mounted Sculptures

Unique 18th Century English Carved Panel of Two Kings

$12,900

H 46 in W 53 in D 2 in

"Memoirs of Richard Nixon" Two-Volume Set, Easton Press Edition, 1988

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Nixon, Richard. The Memoirs of Richard Nixon. Norwalk: The Easton Press, 1988. Two-volume set. Bound in full leather with 22-karat gold embossing. Housed ...

Category

Vintage 1980s American Books

Materials

Gold Leaf

"Memoirs of Richard Nixon" Two-Volume Set, Easton Press Edition, 1988

$825 / item

H 10 in W 7 in D 3.75 in

Handcrafted emblem from the officers mess of the USAF 7232nd MMG Group Ammuniti

Located in Purkersdorf, AT

Professionally handcrafted coat of arms from the officers' mess of the Ramstein military base - 7232nd Munitions Maintenance Group, a former U.S. Air Force unit responsible for ammun...

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Gold Plate

Handcrafted emblem from the officers mess of the USAF 7232nd MMG Group Ammuniti

$1,124

H 13.39 in W 11.82 in D 0.4 in

UNIQUE - Peninsular War - British Officer’s Sabre, Osborn Gunby, circa 1808

Located in Porto, PT

An important early 19th century British officer’s sabre dating to the period of the Peninsular War, circa 1808, and bearing the maker’s mark “Osborn Gunby.” The carved bone hi...

Category

Antique Early 1800s British George III Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Gold, Bronze, Steel

UNIQUE - Peninsular War - British Officer’s Sabre, Osborn Gunby, circa 1808

$42,000 Sale Price

50% Off

Free Shipping

H 34.26 in W 4.34 in D 1.97 in

Souvenir of the War 1914-15-16-17-18 Banner

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Presented is a stunning textile banner from the first World War, dating to 1918. The square tan cotton cloth is embroidered with two crossed flags, the ...

Category

Vintage 1910s Australian Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

Souvenir of the War 1914-15-16-17-18 Banner

$2,500

H 24.25 in W 24.25 in D 2.25 in

More From This Seller

View All

Early 20th Century British Union Flag, ca 1918-1952

Located in York County, PA

BRITISH UNION FLAG OF THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY, WITH BRILLIANT AND UNUSUAL, COBALT BLUE COLORATION, AND A SIMPLIFIED, FOLK STYLE, WITH INCORRECT PROPORTIONS IN THE CROSSES OF ST. ANDRE...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century British Union Flag, ca 1918-1952

$4,850

Cast Iron Boot Jack Made for 1864 Presidential Campaign of George McClellan

Located in York County, PA

CAST IRON BOOT JACK, MADE FOR THE 1864 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF GENERAL GEORGE B. MC CLELLAN, WITH A FANTASTIC SLOGAN THAT READS "THE UNION AT ALL HAZZARDS" Made for the 1864 presidential run of George B. McClellan, this cast iron bootjack is both rare and graphically exceptional. Displaying the original black-painted surface, with attractive and desirable patina, the stylized profile has a wonderful folk art quality. Molded block letters that wrap around the heel clasp read simply "Gen. Mc Clellan. These are accompanied by a prominent Civil War-associated slogan: "The Union at all Hazards." The text is intermingled with 34 stars, which was equivalent to the number of states during the opening two years of the war, but was one star short by mid-1863 and two stars short by the time of the actual election in 1864. It's not unusual to encounter this feature in civil war campaign parade flags as well as all manner of flag-related ephemera. The iron was reportedly cast by G. & D. Cross of Morrisville, New York, though it is unsigned and I have not yet verified the attribution. I have seen two other examples, one of which had a broken and repaired tine on the U-shaped horns and newly painted surface, while the other appeared to have broken lifters and inferior, rusted patina. This is, hands-down, the best of the identified examples. Brief History of the 1864 Campaign: President Abraham Lincoln had a checkered relationship with his 1864 opponent, who he had formerly chosen as General-in-Chief of the entire Union Army. The career officer repeatedly knocked heads with his Commander-in-Chief. Having raised a well-trained and organized military force, McClellan often seemed reluctant to use it. By 1862, after losses in Virginia during the Peninsula Campaign, Lincoln grew frustrated with McClellan and the progression of the war and removed him from command. By the early part of 1864 the American people shared some of the same frustrations and Lincoln was no longer the clear choice for the White House. The nation was tired of war and the remains of the Democratic Party...

Category

Antique 1860s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

Cast Iron Boot Jack Made for 1864 Presidential Campaign of George McClellan

$6,800

45 Star Antique American Naval Jack, ca 1896-1908

Located in York County, PA

LARGE & BEAUTIFULLY FADED, ANTIQUE AMERICAN JACK w/ 45 STARS ARRANGED IN A “NOTCHED” PATTERN, INTENTIONALLY LEAVING SPACE FOR THE 3 REMAINING WESTERN TERRITORIES YET TO BE ADDED; MAD...

Category

Antique 1890s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Wool

45 Star Antique American Naval Jack, ca 1896-1908

Price Upon Request

Hand-Painted Patriotic Banner with the Seal of the State of Oregon

Located in York County, PA

HAND-PAINTED PATRIOTIC BANNER WITH THE SEAL OF THE STATE OF OREGON AND GREAT FOLK QUALITIES, 1861-1876: Swallowtail format, patriotic vertical banne...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Canvas

Hand-Painted Patriotic Banner with the Seal of the State of Oregon

Price Upon Request

Hand-Painted Patriotic Banner With The Seal of the State of Illinois

Located in York County, PA

HAND-PAINTED PATRIOTIC BANNER WITH THE SEAL OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND GREAT FOLK QUALITIES PROBABLY MADE FOR THE 1868 DEMOCRAT NATIONAL CONVENTION...

Category

Antique 1860s North American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Canvas

Hand-Painted Patriotic Banner With The Seal of the State of Illinois

Price Upon Request

Hand-Pained Banner with the Seal of the State of Mississippi, circa 1872

Located in York County, PA

Unique, hand-painted banner with the seal of the state of mississippi, likely having represented delegates from that state at the 1872 republican or dem...

Category