Flags/Questions Answered by Expert Jeff Bridgman
| Subject | Date Asked |
| 48 star flag in canister | 10/18/2011 |
| Q: We found a long wooden canister that looks like a cane. On the thicker end of the cane is a bulbous ... A: I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond. For some reason I wasn't getting my emails from All ... | |
| foreign flags in us | 3/24/2011 |
| Q: In a near by neighborhood there is a large Mexican flag being flown with a smaller U.S. and state ... A: I need to ask you some more questions to consider this further. (1) Is the American flag being ... | |
| 48 star flag | 3/21/2011 |
| Q: I have a 48 star flag that is approx. 10' x 20'. On the edge it says Valley Forge Flag Company ... A: We here at AllExperts are all volunteers from our various fields, so I apologize for the delay in ... | |
| Spanish-American War Flag | 3/13/2011 |
| Q: Jeff, Thanks for your time. I have an antique flag that has been handed down in my family since ... A: 45 star flags are very common. Unless there is something highly unusual about one, such as a ... | |
| Confederate flag | 2/27/2011 |
| Q: I have a 4ft x 6ft confederate flag. It says Storm King all cotton on the edge and WPL blank 721,I ... A: My apologies for the delay in getting back to you. We here at AllExperts are all volunteers. I was ... | |
| confederate flag | 2/9/2011 |
| Q: I have a confederate battle flag that is hand stitched with zigzag stitching on the stars. What is ... A: My apologies for the delay in getting back to you. We here at AllExperts are all volunteers. I was ... | |
| 48 Star from nov11 1918 | 1/24/2011 |
| Q: Good Evening, I have a 48 star flag that is hand written on the edge of the flag.. ON ... A: Scott. Sounds like a nice thing you have there. Probably you could expect about $350 at auction, ... | |
| 48 star us flag | 1/23/2011 |
| Q: i have a 48 star us flag that is in very good shape,,can U tell me if it is worth anything,,if so ... A: 48 star flags were used between 1912 and 1959, a period not so long ago. They were therefore ... | |
| American and British flags together | 1/14/2011 |
| Q: I was given a piece of paper by an elderly lady ages ago and it has the two flags (crossed) and two ... A: This is a woven silk image on a postcard. It dates to WWI (U.S. involvement 1917-18. I have owned ... | |
| Congress Flag | 1/14/2011 |
| Q: I have what I think is an old US "Congress" flag. It has th union jack wwhere the stars go, but, it ... A: If you email me some images, I'd be happy to have a look. My email address is: jrbantq@ptd.net My ... | |
| 13 star miniature silk flag | 12/25/2010 |
| Q: I found this miniature 13 star flag between the pages of an old book dated 1889. Can you tell me how ... A: This little flag is woven silk ribbon with some of the vertically running strands pulled to make ... | |
| approximate age 48 stars | 12/19/2010 |
| Q: I have a Storm King 4x6 flag with the box it came in,the label on the box reads,STORM KING BUNTING ... A: I must apologize for the tardiness of my answer here in the midst of the holiday season. We at ... | |
| 48 star printed on nylon flag us army issued | 12/19/2010 |
| Q: can you tell me any thing about the history behind the 3x5 48 star offical government issued flag. I ... A: My apologies if it has taken me a few days to get in here and read it. We at AllExperts are all ... | |
| 21 star flag | 12/10/2010 |
| Q: Mr. Bridgman, My family has a 21 star flag with the stars arranged in the pattern of a large star ... A: My apologies for the delay in getting back to you. We here at AllExperts are all volunteers and I ... | |
| 48 states american flag | 12/3/2010 |
| Q: i have a american 48 states,its 5ft wide and 113/4x5.is it worth any thing,its made of 100% cotton ... A: My apologies for the delay in getting back to you. We here at AllExperts are all volunteers and I ... | |
| 21 Star Banner flag found | 11/29/2010 |
| Q: I was given a flag with 21 stars and on end is stamped 1x10ft. STYLE 21. This is a 1 foot by 10 foot ... A: My apologies for the delay in getting back to you. We here at AllExperts are all volunteers and I ... | |
| star pattern on us flag | 11/21/2010 |
| Q: Are there any 48-star US flags with a staggered pattern? A: Very sorry. Here at AllExperts we are all volunteers and sometimes questions come in when we are ... | |
| Flags | 11/19/2010 |
| Q: I was at a Goodwill dump off trailer today dumping kids toys and I happened to look down in a waste ... A: Walt. Thanks for saving this great little flag. Certainly my advice is not to discard it, but save ... | |
| flagpole protocol | 11/10/2010 |
| Q: I have a customer that is doing a new corporate headquarters and they want to put up flagpoles. Is ... A: Here is the part of the flag code that you should be attentive to: §ection 175. Position and manner ... | |
| Cuban flag billboard | 10/19/2010 |
| Q: My husband and I where driving home the other day, and on one of the main roads in our area was a ... A: Sure, this is America. We have freedom of speech and expression here, within reason. It is legal ... | |
| Value of Flag | 10/4/2010 |
| Q: I have the flag that was on my Dad's coffin who was buried in 1951, U S Army Air Corp. It is ... A: My apologies for the delay in my reply. We here at All Experts are all volunteers and while I ... | |
| Flag placement | 10/2/2010 |
| Q: I want to display the U.S.Flag and the state flags of VA and WV in a large conference room. What ... A: My apologies for the delay in my reply. We here at All Experts are all volunteers and while I ... | |
| 38 Star Navy Jack | 9/28/2010 |
| Q: I found a 38 Star Navy Jack (1877-1890), size 42" x 59" in my mother's attic. I believe the material ... A: My apologies for the delay in my reply. We here at All Experts are all volunteers and while I ... | |
| 3 star flag | 8/17/2010 |
| Q: my grandpa pulled out a flag. it is a large (4 ft long by 2 feet wide) sort of dingy looking flag. ... A: The practice of displaying a son-in-service banner became popular during WWI and was continued or ... | |
| 49 Star Flag Valley Forge 5' x 9 1/2' | 8/3/2010 |
| Q: I have a spotless 49 Star Flag that was was manufactured by the Valley Forge Flag Co. in Spring ... A: Most people will go their entire lives without seeing a 49 star flag, but they are very common among ... | |
| anchor flag | 8/3/2010 |
| Q: Mr. Bridgman, I purchased this flag at a church sale. The stars are handstitched and then machine ... A: Betty. This is a private yacht ensign. It appears to be all machine-sewn. Send me some close-ups ... | |
| Historical Flags | 8/1/2010 |
| Q: I am under contract to buy a house at which George Washington was a frequent guest when the ... A: None most likely. And the Continental Colors (or Grand Union) would not have flown there either. ... | |
| Betsy Ross flag | 7/24/2010 |
| Q: I have a Betsy Ross flag 3x5 that is stamped with the word "Defiance". How old is this flag? A: Send me some photos, including close-ups of the fabrics and stitching, and I'd be happy to have a ... | |
| 48 star flag with 4 gold stripes | 7/8/2010 |
| Q: Sir, a friend of mine has a U.S. Flag with 48 stars and 13 stripes. Four of these stripes are ... A: Yes, a shortage of fabric created this situation. Sometimes 48 star flags had that fabric in the ... | |
| seniority | 6/23/2010 |
| Q: When standing in a church, in the congregation, looking forward at the pulpit and speaker, you see ... A: When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium on or off a podium, the flag of the ... | |
| 49 star flag | 6/15/2010 |
| Q: In my parents estate there is a 3' x 5' 49 star flag in original box from Annin. The box has 2392 ... A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. It was flag day on Monday and I got slaughtered with ... | |
| Funeral military flags | 6/14/2010 |
| Q: I have received through my mother two flags. One is from 1961 for my father who was a WWI veteran. ... A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. It was flag day on Monday and I got slaughtered with ... | |
| Valley Forge Flag | 5/16/2010 |
| Q: I found a Valley Forge flag in a old chest. It measures 3.52X6.69 FT. Also in the chest where items ... A: Unfortunately, not a whole lot. The Valley Forge company is still in business. The size would have ... | |
| 49 star flag | 5/8/2010 |
| Q: I purchased a 49 star flag at a house sale. It says Bulldog Bunting on seam. It is cotton 5x8 ft. ... A: Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. We at AllExperts are all volunteers from various fields. I ... | |
| 50 star flag USA | 4/24/2010 |
| Q: I have a 5x9 1/2 flag from Valley Forge Flag Co. Spring City Pa. #19475 cloth material great shape. ... A: There's not a whole lot to know, I am afraid. 50 star flags are not exactly old. The 50th star was ... | |
| Old Flag Info | 4/14/2010 |
| Q: I need info on this flag. 51 x 32 , all hand sewn, Very old and dingy. Please help if you can... I ... A: Craig. Jeff Bridgman here. I am the flag expert for AllExperts. I am sorry that I didn't see your ... | |
| service flag | 3/26/2010 |
| Q: i have a service flag from world war one (has been in the family). flag measures 32 inches wide by ... A: A likely auction result for this service flag would be between $25 and $150. Mounting of large ... | |
| old US mail flag | 3/20/2010 |
| Q: I have an old drum of various old flags. It appears that most of them are WWII Navy signal flags ... A: My apologies for the delay in my answer. We are all volunteers here at AllExperts.com, from around ... | |
| US and Vatican Flags | 3/20/2010 |
| Q: Sir, I understand when the US flag is at half staff, then the state flag also goes to halp staff. ... A: Eric: I get a lot of these complicated questions about flag ethics, and basically, what I can tell ... | |
| Flag value? | 3/10/2010 |
| Q: I have two forty eight star flags, are they worth anything? A: 48 star flags were used between 1912 and 1959, a period not so long ago. They were therefore ... | |
| 48 star flag | 3/7/2010 |
| Q: I have a 48 star flag, it is all (Ibelieve is cotton,the gromments looks like a blue color), on a ... A: 48 star flags were used between 1912 and 1959, a period not so long ago. They were therefore ... | |
| WW2 flag w/ "repaired" star? | 3/3/2010 |
| Q: I have a Valley Forge 5'x9.5' 48 star flag. The star area in the upper right hand corner has two ... A: Very sorry for the delay. I am a volunteer on this website and sometimes can't get to questions as ... | |
| Old Flag with 100 stars | 2/26/2010 |
| Q: I have an old flag measuring approx. 5' x 7', with a white center containing 100 blue stars and a ... A: Sorry for the delay in my response. I am a volunteer on this website and sometimes the tasks of ... | |
| etiquette | 2/15/2010 |
| Q: Is it lawful and/or proper to affix religious symbols such as a crescent moon, star of David, or ... A: Lawful? Yes, it appears to be. Does that fall into the unethical part of flag etiquette? ... | |
| info on a US Flag | 1/21/2010 |
| Q: I found a US Flag while cleaning up at my mom's house. On the boarder it reads US Ensign NO 7 MARE ... A: I suspect that the flag has 48 stars? In any event, it was made by or at least intended for used by ... | |
| 13 Star American Flag with Roman Numeral III | 1/9/2010 |
| Q: My neighbor has a 13 star American flag with III in the center of the stars. Just wondering what ... A: I do not know. Can you send me a photo of the flag and give me it's measurements? Maybe take a ... | |
| Folding WWII flag | 1/3/2010 |
| Q: I have a 48 star flag my grandparents received when my uncle's plane was lost at sea in the Pacific. ... A: Well, I am a dealer in antique flags and I have to say that I have not folded one like that since I ... | |
| Altering State Flags for t-shirt sales | 12/8/2009 |
| Q: Is it illegal to alter state or nation flags? I am designing state flags with graphic designs ... A: I am sorry, but I am an expert in antique American flags. I don't know a great deal about modern ... | |
| flag preservation | 12/2/2009 |
| Q: I recently obtained a Capitol flag from the sixties. The flag is still in it's original box and is ... A: You can acquire an archival cardboard tube from one of the conservation companies and roll the flag ... | |
| Huge Mare Island 48 star flag | 11/27/2009 |
| Q: I just bought an old 48 star flag at a surplus Army Navy store. I've already done some research on ... A: It isn't easy or inexpensive to properly preserve a flag of that size. I provide conservation ... | |
| Flags Flown Over the U.S. Capitol | 11/25/2009 |
| Q: I have a flag that was flown over the Capital on july 4th,1976. With the papers of authenticity. ... A: Flags flown over the Capitol building were run up and down the pole one after another so that they ... | |
| Old Flag | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: When we were clearing my parents' house after their death, we found a 48 star flag folded into the ... A: Anything you wished to use it for. General patriotic use indoors or outdoors. This wasn't by any ... | |
| Old Flag | 9/15/2009 |
| Q: When we were clearing my parents' house after their death, we found a 48 star flag folded into the ... A: It's not big enough for a coffin flag. I don't think they ever used printed flags for coffins. I ... | |
| two flags a 49 and 48 star | 9/12/2009 |
| Q: I have to flags one is a 48 star flag its an 2 x 3 ft. superior brand cotton bunting flag. a little ... A: 48 star flags were used between 1912 and 1959, a period not so long ago. They were therefore ... | |
| 13 star flag | 9/11/2009 |
| Q: I was left a thirteen star flag by my Grandfather. It measures 31.5" by 58" approximately. It has ... A: Though I don't do formal appraisals, if you send me some good photos, including close-ups of the ... | |
| flag authority | 9/2/2009 |
| Q: When the US president directs our flag to be flown at half-staff, as in honor of Sen. Ted Kennedy, ... A: My guess is no. The Federal Government tries not to insert itself in the sovereign States, let ... | |
| 1870 American Ensign 25 ft. flag | 8/31/2009 |
| Q: I have the above Described flag it is stamped patented april 26th 1870 American Ensign and has E.J. ... A: This was made by the U.S. Bunting Company in Lowell, Mass. I'd imagine that the canton is ... | |
| 48 star U.S. | 8/21/2009 |
| Q: I just bought a 48 star,cotton?, stamped Defiance. I think it is 5x8. It appears to not be ... A: Defiance is an Annin brand name. It's the most common brand name from Annin, which incorported in ... | |
| 48 star flag | 8/16/2009 |
| Q: i have a 48 star flag 21/2x4 made by Defiance in Verona N.J. 100 percent cotton bunting I also have ... A: 48 star flags were used between 1912 and 1959, a period not so long ago. They were therefore ... | |
| 48 and 49 star flags | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: I recently found two flags in my grandmothers attic. One is a 49 star 4*6 where the stars seem to ... A: The stars on the 48 are not hand-sewn, they just look it to you. They would be sewn with a zigzag ... | |
| authentic German swastica flag | 8/3/2009 |
| Q: I have an authentic flag my great uncle brought back from the war, He and his troop were one of the ... A: The truth about huge flags is that they are immensely difficult to sell, not matter how great or ... | |
| flying the American flag | 8/1/2009 |
| Q: Someone on my street is flying their country flag from the middle of their house pointing upward ... A: When flying on the same pole or next to one-another, the American flag should always be higher. On ... | |
| Value of Flag flown at the US Capitol | 7/28/2009 |
| Q: I have an Annin & Co. flag that flew over the Capitol of the United States when JFK was in office. ... A: There are so many flags out there like this. Someone actually ran them up and down the flag pole at ... | |
| 31 star flag | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: have an old american flag with 31 stars arranged in a circle. do you know what year this is? and ... A: Your flag dates between 1850 and 1858, assuming that it is not a reproduction. Value depends on a ... | |
| World War II Flag Found | 7/11/2009 |
| Q: My husband found a flag belonging to his grandfather that was believed to be pulled off a building ... A: Either sell it on eBay as a German flag or maybe email Ken Boardman at the Antique Center of ... | |
| Additional Info on 3 Star Flag | 7/1/2009 |
| Q: I thought I might add to my email of yesterday, that around the edges of the flag is a goldish ... A: The banner hung vertically. Blue stars were replaced with gold if the soldier died, so maybe one ... | |
| 3 star flag | 6/30/2009 |
| Q: I have a smallish flag that is in a frame, purchased at a flea market. The flag itself is ... A: This is a son-in-service flag. They were made for families, organizations, businesses, etc. There ... | |
| Service Flag | 6/24/2009 |
| Q: I Was wondering what does the gold star mean if the blue star represents a soldier serving during a ... A: O.K., I have an answer for you. I think I agree with flag expert, Nick Artimovich, a friend of ... | |
| 37 star flag | 6/21/2009 |
| Q: I have a family flag of 37 stars: large star in the middle,surrounded by a circle of 9 stars, ... A: Your flag would date between 1867 and 1876. Technically it was official until 1877, but would have ... | |
| Flags given at funerals | 6/20/2009 |
| Q: My grandfather was a WW1 Vet and died Nov 21 1965 why was he given a 48 state flag. A: Either because they had a lot of 48 star flags in overstock and they wanted to use them up, or maybe ... | |
| World War II Flag | 6/17/2009 |
| Q: I am contemplating buying a WWII flag for my husband for Father's Day. I talked with the woman who ... A: At $200 it doesn't much matter. I have 80-some flags on my website and that's cheaper than all of ... | |
| flag identification needed | 6/13/2009 |
| Q: I just bought a flag 4' X8' that has a red background. The center of the flag has a large white ... A: That's an easy one, I think. It's the Tennessee state flag. It's an earlier version, as the modern ... | |
| Flag Etiqette | 6/12/2009 |
| Q: My son is in the Navy and we bought a Navy flag to fly under our National Ensign. When we purchased ... A: I've did a bit of research and I am not entirely sure. I am a dealer in antique flags, not an ... | |
| Service Flag | 6/2/2009 |
| Q: I Was wondering what does the gold star mean if the blue star represents a soldier serving during a ... A: I just wanted to let you know that I am still researching the answer to your question. I was ... | |
| US Flag | 5/31/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could tell me the value of my US Flag? It's 55" by 110" with 50 stars, Made ... A: I am sorry, but 48 star flags barely have any value unless there is something highly unusual about ... | |
| 48 star print flag | 5/30/2009 |
| Q: This flag is 28"x 50" it's has some weathering to it, and it look's like it's made of cotton,it's ... A: Although you never actually asked any sort of question here, I am going to assume that you want to ... | |
| 23 star flag | 5/21/2009 |
| Q: I have a 23 star flag. I know that they date from 1820-1822 but have no idea what it may be worth. ... A: Tammy: There are so few flag experts that I am also the all-experts website "expert". Basically, ... | |
| american flag, real or rip off | 5/16/2009 |
| Q: I recently purchased an american flag from a fair and can't find it on the internet and now am ... A: This isn't an American flag, per-say. It is a banner for the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. The ... | |
| 48 STAR FLAG FOUND | 4/6/2009 |
| Q: Please advise on how much a flag with 48 stars in almost great condition would be worth? Thank You ... A: $25 to $100, unless there is something very unusual about it. 48 star flag were made between 1912 ... | |
| 48 star flag | 4/4/2009 |
| Q: my grandfather recently passed and in his possessions was a 48-star flag. we do not know the ... A: This flag would very likely not be a Navy flag. Without seeing good pictures of it I can't tell you ... | |
| 43 star flag | 3/28/2009 |
| Q: We have located a flag that has a red border about 12 inches all the way around, with a white center ... A: This is a son-in-service banner. I expect it is a WWII example versus WWI. There was a star for ... | |
| Flag | 3/27/2009 |
| Q: We are trying to learn more about a flag that has come down in the family. We believe it has a ... A: I'd need to see good photos of this in order to help you properly. I own 200 13 star flags, for ... | |
| Flag ID | 3/15/2009 |
| Q: I have an old us 48 star flag. It is approx on 8 X 11 inch material. Half the material is the us ... A: This is a blood chit. It would have been carried by a soldier. In case he got captured inside ... | |
Jeff Bridgman
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I am an expert in antique American flags, particularly in Stars & Stripes flag, both printed and sewn varieties. I also have expertise in antique Confederate flags. I am not an expert in flag etiquette and flag laws, so please don't ask me questions concerning where and how to fly modern American flags. My particular focus is on the 19th century, when there basically were no laws or rules of formal etiquette.
Experience
I am the world's largest buyer and seller of antique flags. I also have 20 years of experience selling other early American textiles.
Organizations
Antiques Dealers Association of America (ADA); Antiques Council, Antiques & Arts Dealer's League of America (AADLA), Cinoa, North American Vexillogical Association (NAVA)
Publications
The Magazine Antiques, FOCUS (Journal of the Antiques Council), Antiques and the Arts Weekly, Northeast, New England Antiques Journal, Chubb Collectors [Chubb Insurance Group], Country Home Magazine, Country Living Magazine, etc.
Education/Credentials
Graduate Degree, 1994
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