Circle Auction
Live Auction

Kansas City Collections: Art, Antiques, & Jewelry

Sat, Jun 21, 2025 11:00AM EDT
Lot 1

Civil War 34-Star American Flag, Louisville KY History

Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
Sold for

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$5,000 $250
$10,000 $500
$20,000 $1,000
$50,000 $2,500
$75,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

A rare 34-star American flag, printed linen in a 7-7-6-7-7 arrangement, displayed in a glazed frame measuring 27 1/2" x 37 1/2". The 34-star flag was used from 1861-1863, between the admittance of Kansas and West Virginia. This particular flag belonged to John Lycurgus Wheat (1833-1919) of Louisville, Kentucky.

 

Accompanying the flag is a note dated July 4, 1927, written by John Lycurgus Wheat's oldest daughter Dora Wheat (1861-1938), which is transcribed: "This flag was bought by Mr. Jno. L. Wheat, 252 4th Street (where Benedict's Store is now) and used during the Civil War to greet the Union soldiers who marched by the Wheat home. D.W. July 4, 1927."

 

Provenance: By descent through the family of John Lycurgus Wheat (and his brother Nathan Rice Wheat).

Condition

The linen is naturally toned from age, but the colors remain quite vibrant compared to most printed linen flags of the era. Numerous small holes along the right of the flag, and a small loss at the top left corner. The original note by Dora Wheat is on a paper tag that has faded and creased (attached to a vintage typed transcript in frame).

Overall Dimensions
Height: 27.50 in
Width: 37.50 in
Depth: 1.00 in

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