[Presidential] [Lincoln, Abraham] Commemorative Banner

Circa 1876

(New York: American Flag Company, ca. 1884-1900). Glazed cotton on white ground and narrow blue border in swallowtail banner-style, with 45 stars and central bust portrait of Abraham Lincoln. 35 3/4 x 23 in. (908 x 584 mm). Mounted; occasional toning; scattered staining; a few small holes with accompanying minor edge tears and losses, primarily at corners. Lightly stitched to a backing. Unexamined out of frame. Collins, Threads of History, plate 40

In the years following the Civil War the memory of President Abraham Lincoln came to be more and more revered, his likeness seen on everything from commemorative plates to parade banners. These banners came to be particularly popular after Reconstruction, both for its end coming so close to the centennial of American independence and for the rise in widespread celebrations of the Juneteenth holiday among African American communities.

An example of this banner is recorded by Collins in his Threads of History (fig. 40), hanging in front of a Black-owned general store in Richmond, Virginia (ca. 1880s).

Other banners of similar style were produced by the American Flag Company, possibly for the Presidential campaign season of 1884, including one of General William T. Sherman (Threads of History, fig. 508). Collins notes when discussing this banner of Sherman, that "This banner design is in the 1900 catalog of the American Flag Company, New York, as one of a set of matching portrait banners of presidents and generals including Washington, Lincoln, Garfield, Grant, Sherman..." (p. 231)

It is our presumption that the present banner was produced as part of the set described, between 1884-1900.

A scarce survival; we trace no other examples appearing at auction.

Property from the Collection of Michael Murphy, Chicago, Illinois

This lot is located in Chicago.

[Presidential] [Lincoln, Abraham] Commemorative Banner