Description

DESCRIPTION: Printed in color on cloth. Stripes in red and uncolored stars on blue field. 14” by 15 ½”. Two airs of 1776 flags in adjacent corners and two pairs 1876 flags in adjacent corners, all separated by 15 stars.

BACKGROUND: In 1795 two stars representing Kentucky and Vermont were added to the 1776 flag, bringing the total number of stars to 15. Two stripes were added to make a total on 15 stripes. This was the only U. S. to have fifteen stripes. Realizing that the addition of a new star and a new stripe for each new state was impractical, Congress passed a Flag Act of 1818 which returned the flag design to 13 stripes and specified 20 stars for the 20 existing states.

PROVENANCE: Purchased from B M Israel, Amsterdam, 1961. In envelope with printed address: “B.M. ISRAËL Singel 379 Tel 020-225500 AMSTERDAM C 11001”.

B.M. Israel Boekhandel en antiquariaat BV was founded towards the end of the 19th century in Arnhem. After World War II the business moved to Amsterdam where various addresses were occupied (Herengracht, Max Israel (January 21st, 1916 – October 12th, 2001)Leidsestraat, Johannes Verhulststraat, Singel 379) before settling down for a period of nearly 33 years at 264 Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal in 1971, close to Dam square.

CONDITION: Fold lines. Very good condition