Philadelphia Antiques & Art Show 2017

The only star configuration that seems to have been injected with a good public relations campaign was the one recommended by Wayne Whipple. A resident of Philadelphia, his concept was actually a combination of circular and star-shaped formations. It centered on 13 stars, arranged in one, large 6-pointed star, in the design that appeared on the Great Seal of the United States. This was followed by two wreaths, the first of which contained 25 stars, to represent those states that were added to the Union over the first 100 years, followed by another with 10, stars for those that came afterward. Whipple, who worked in the publishing industry and authored about 28 books, took ads to promote the pattern. He also glorified the design in a book he released called The Story of the American Flag , and actually went to the extent of having prototypes made. These he distributed at political rallies and to members of Congress, as well as to other individuals with government or military influence. There were at least two parade flag versions, printed on cotton and silk, respectively, the latter of which I suspect to have been made by the Cheney Silk Company of Manchester, Connecticut. He also commissioned the only (Figure 16) 48 star flag designed and commissioned by Wayne Whipple, sent by him to President Howard Taft. Acquired from descendents of the Whipple Family with an array of letters, documents, and mock-ups for the design. Photo courtesy Jeff R. Bridgman Antiques, Inc. two pieced -and-sewn examples that I have ever encountered, both of which I have been fortunate enough to own. One of these, handed down directly through the Whipple family, was accompanied by his own mock-ups, a hand-written 50- page letter about the design from Whipple to his daughter, and letters to-and-from Taft and the War Department, respectively (fig. 16). This exact flag was sent by Whipple to Taft, who would soon write Executive Order 1556, that, for the first time, dictated our flag’s official specifications. Among these was its star pattern. Taft forwarded Whipple’s flag to the War Department, which then sent it back to Whipple with a “thanks-but-no-thanks” reply. In the end, the War Department would select an artistically bland, though certainly logical and militaristic arrangement. Taft deferred to War Department recommendations and approved the pattern on June 24th, 1912. Along with standardization of the proportions and colors, this generally ended the 135-year period in American history, where the design of our flag followed the tune of free-thinking ingenuity and timely circumstances. This is the music that collectors of early American folk art prefer, and, when played in the vicinity of someone enamored with history and patriotism, can kindle a flag collection. Jeff Bridgman, owner of Jeff R. Bridgman Antiques, Inc., is widely regarded as the leading dealer of antique American flags. He also operates a textile conservation business where he has supervised the mounting and framing of thousands of examples. He can be reached via his website at www.JeffBridgman.com. W 125 W (Figure 15) 36 star flag made for the 1876 Centennial Exposition, with a block-printed image of Lady Liberty, adapted for the Presidential Campaign Rutherford B. Hayes. ​ Photo courtesy Jeff R. Bridgman Antiques, Inc.