text: Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags and Painted Furniture - 44 STARS IN ZIGZAGGING ROWS ON A PRESS-DYED WOOL AMERICAN FLAG, PROBABLY MADE BY THE HORSTMANN COMPANY IN PHILADELPHIA, POSSIBLY FOR USE AS A MILITARY CAMP COLORS, 1890-1896, REFLECTS WYOMING STATEHOOD
  Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 37.5" x 48.5"
  Flag Size (H x L): 25" x 36.25"
  44 star American national flag, press-dyed on wool bunting. The stars are configured in zigzagging lineal rows of 8-7-8-7-7-7, which is a pattern sometimes seen in this star count. There is an open, twill tape sleeve along the hoist, through which a wooden staff could be threaded and tacked into place. "2 x 3 ft" is stamped along the sleeve in black to indicate size. The way this is applied is consistent with other press-dyed flags that I have owned that were produced and sold by the Horstmann Company in Philadelphia. Horstmann was a major military goods manufacturer and dealer. The firm, which opened in 1816, is well known for the significant role it played in the outfitting of soldiers in the American Civil War. Horstmann is known to have made printed wool flags, in a smaller scale, that were sold as military camp colors. They were still producing these as late as the 46 star period (1907-1912). In terms of scale, however, and the construction of the sleeve, this flag is more congruent with 38 star examples made by Horstmann for general patriotic display at the 1876 Centennial International Exposition in Philadelphia. These could have simply been sold for any purpose the user may have desired, however, in which case they may have been employed in either military or private function.
  First patented in 1849, the press-dying process was thought to be a novel idea that would improve flag-making efficiency. In this case, for example, it could potentially alleviate the chore of hand-appliquéing 88 stars (44 on each side). In reality, however, the result must have been less efficient than sewing. To achieve white stars, for example, metal plates in the shape of stars had to be clamped to either side of a length of woolen fabric, in the desired configuration, so they were back-to-back. These may have been lightly brushed beforehand with a solution that would resist dye, or perhaps with a thin coat of wax. The stars were clamped together tightly, the bunting was dyed blue, and the areas where the metal stars were positioned would be left white. To produce the stripes, the same task was repeated with different clamps.
  Condition: There is minor mothing throughout. fabric of similar coloration was placed behind the 3rd red stripe for masking purposes. There is very minor bleeding and there is a small blue stain in the 4th red stripe. There is minor staining along the hoist binding and the stamp has faded.Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.