Manufactured by
Unidentified
Owned by
Old Slave Mart Museum, American, founded 1937
Subject of
Confederate States of America, 1861 - 1865
Date
late 19th - early 20th century
Medium
wood with glass , pressure-sensitive tape , paper (fiber product) , paint , cardboard and dye on cotton (textile) with brass (alloy) and thread
Dimensions
H x W x D: 9 13/16 × 7 13/16 × 9/16 in. (25 × 19.8 × 1.4 cm)
Description
Four miniature souvenir Confederate States of America flags displayed in a black frame with a glass pane. The flags have been secured to a black paper backing with clear tape and paper tape. Along the top edge of the frame, above each of the flags taped to the top half of the frame, are the letters [A] and [B] handwritten in white paint on clear paint. Along the bottom edge of the frame, below each of the flags taped to the bottom half of the frame, are the letters [C] and [D] handwritten in white paint on clear paint. Also along the bottom edge of the frame in the center is a painted white rectangle with handwritten black text that reads [R282].
The miniature flag labeled [A] in the top left corner is the third Official Flag of the Confederate States of America. The flag is white with a rectangle in the canton, or top left quadrant. Inside the canton is the Battle Flag (also known as the "Southern Cross"), a blue saltire with white outlining against a red background. Inside the saltire are thirteen (13) white five-pointed stars of equal size. The flag has a red vertical bar running along the right edge. The hems are stitched with red thread. The flag is sewn to a brass stick with a brass ball topper. Below is white handwritten text that reads [Official / Artillery Flag].
The miniature flag labeled [B] in the top right corner is the Confederate Navy Jack. The flag has a blue saltire with white outlining against a red background. Inside the saltire are twelve (12) white five-pointed stars of equal size and a thirteenth star that is slightly larger than the rest. The hems are stitched with red thread. The flag is sewn to a brass stick with a brass ball topper. Below is white handwritten text that reads [Official Confederate / Flag].
The miniature flag labeled [C] in the bottom left corner is the second Official Flag of the Confederate States of America (also known as the Stainless Banner). The flag is white with a rectangle in the canton, or top left quadrant. Inside the canton is the Battle Flag (also known as the "Southern Cross"), a blue saltire with white outlining against a red background. Inside the saltire are thirteen (13) white five-pointed stars of equal size. The hems are stitched with white thread. The flag is sewn to a brass stick with a brass ball topper. Below is white handwritten text that reads [First Confederate / Flag].
The miniature flag labeled [D] in the bottom right corner is the First Official Flag of the Confederate States of America (also known as the Stars and Bars). The flag is red, white, and blue with a blue square in the canton. Inside in the canton are seven (7) five-pointed stars of equal size. The rest of the flag is covered with one (1) white stripe sandwiched between two (2) red stripes. The hems are stitched with red thread. The flag is sewn to a brass stick with a brass ball topper. Below is white handwritten text that reads [Second Confederate / Flag].
The white handwritten text below the bottom two (2) flags reads [The above four Confederate Flags / were Souvenirs [of the?]]. Most of the back of the frame is covered in brown paper tape. There is an exposed black, vertical rectangle at the center. In the bottom right corner, handwritten in pencil, is the text [L89.4.6].
Place used
Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Political and Activist Ephemera
Type
flags
Topic
American South
Military
Politics
Slavery
U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2017.108.16
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5f1a7ee7c-d276-42ef-8402-1de7b2a89595

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

Share this page