34-Star Civil War American Flag, Used for as Recruitment for New Jersey Volunteers, 1861-1863

Offered is an extremely large 34-star American flag, produced during the Civil War. This antique flag features white machine-sewn stars on a blue canton, along with 13 machine-sewn alternating red and white stripes. The stars are whimsically affixed, arranged in rows of 7/7/6/7/7 stars. The flag is constructed of wool bunting, with a white header with four brass grommets. The flag is inscribed on the heading "Capt. Saml J. Hopkins, 7th N.J. Vols. 1862” and was used during the Civil War for troop recruitment.

This 34-star flag celebrates Kansas statehood and dates to circa 1861. Kansas was admitted to the Union as the 34th state on January 29th, 1861, which was about a month after states began to secede from the Union and about two-and-a-half months before the American Civil War officially began. The 34 star flag was made official on July 4th of that year and remained the official flag until July 4th, 1863, when the 35-star flag was made official for the admission of West Virginia to the Union. 

Even with the secession of states during the American Civil War, the American flag was not officially changed to show a loss of stars. Abraham Lincoln encouraged Americans not to produce flags with fewer stars after states seceded, as he saw great value in remaining an unified body under one flag. The 34-star flag was often referred to as “Lincoln’s flag,” for Lincoln’s stubborn refusal to allow the elimination of any stars during the Civil War. 

The header of the flag is inscribed in ink  "Capt. Saml J. Hopkins, 7th N.J. Vols. 1862,” denoting the previous owner. The flag was also formally part of the prestigious Zaricor Flag Collection. The Zaricor Flag Collection research suggests that this 34-star U.S. flag may have been made under contract to the State of New Jersey by William J. Yard of Trento, as part of a group of flags for use by recruiters endeavoring to fill the ranks of New Jersey's volunteer forces during the Civil War. The inked inscription on the canvas heading indicates that this particular flag was used by Captain (later Lt. Col.) Samuel J. Hopkins (1818-1881) of the 7th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry in his effort to recruit volunteers in 1862 and 1863. 

CONDITION:

Good condition, considering significant size and age. A machine-sewn pieced wool American flag. Stars sewn in a 7-7-6-7-7 row pattern, but whimsically affixed. With four brass grommets on the white heading. Inscribed on the heading "Capt. Saml J. Hopkins, 7th N.J. Vols. 1862." in ink. The inscription has faded. The flag is heavily toned. Small scattered tears and holes throughout the length of the flag. Significant loss to the fly, with holes, rips. 

Framed Dimensions: 64 1/2" H x 120" W x 2 1/2" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.