Lincoln & Johnson: Perhaps the Largest Known 1864 Campaign Name Flag, 51" X 36". ...

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Lincoln & Johnson: Perhaps the Largest Known 1864 Campaign Name Flag, 51" X 36". A hitherto unknown variety which just surfaced in a most intriguing manner: a general antiques and collectibles dealer was attending an estate tag sale in a home. He saw what was clearly a vintage American flag folded up in a plastic bag and priced at $15. That looked like a good deal, so he purchased it, not bothering to unfold it until he got home. To his surprise, he found that it was this Lincoln and Johnson campaign flag!

This flag is unusual not only for its large size, but for its design. The names are located in an untypical position, higher in the stripes. Also, while most, although not all, political flags of this era have the stars arranged in a more creative configuration, on this flag they are in straight rows. There are 35 stars, the correct number for an 1864 flag. Interestingly, the flag was manufactured by sewing together two sections of cloth, joined by a neat machine-sewn vertical seam in the center. Presumably it was impossible to print such a large flag all at once.

Overall display condition of the flag is excellent. There is moderate, very even fading of both red and blue colors, including the lettering, which appears originally to have been the same blue as the field behind the stars. The fading is presumably the result of deterioration in the dye rather than the effect of sunlight, since the degree of fading is identical on both sides. The linen cloth itself remains crisp and stiff as made, suggesting that the flag was little handled. Extremely minor scattered light water stains do not detract, as photo shows. All in all, a most impressive flag for this popular ticket!