Late 19th/early 20th century wool bunting flag with thirteen stars and thirteen stripes, measuring 97 x 50.5 overall with a 28.75 x 37 two-piece canton. The bunting is finely woven from machine spun threads and has a tubular linen hoist measuring approximately 1.25″ in diameter with fairly crude, stitched grommets on the ends. The double-sided white linen stars are arranged in a typical 3:2:3:2:3 pattern. The flag has small holes scattered about the fabric, and there is noticeable fraying along the edge of the fly. The colors are still fairly vibrant, although the stars and, to a slightly lesser degree, the white stripes have a general brown toning throughout. This was most likely used as a boat ensign during its period of manufacture. The thirteen-star flag was used as the US Navy's small boat ensign until 1916 due to the visibility of the stars at a distance on the smaller flags necessary for boat use. This is a handsome example of a thirteen-star ensign and is in fine overall condition.
