Antique 1876 American Flag – 16ft x 8ft – Family Provenance, Hand-Sewn

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Antique 1876 American Flag – 16ft x 8ft – Family Provenance, Hand-Sewn:
$35000.00

Flag that has remained in my husband’s family for generations. Measuring approximately 16 feet long by 8 feet high, it is an impressive textile from America’s Centennial era.

Condition

Considering its age, the Flag remains in fair to good condition. It shows expected wear for a nearly 150-year-old piece, including some minor tears and worn areas. One corner was repaired approximately fifty years ago. Please see photos for details.

Provenance

This Flag originally belonged to Clarence W. The family retains documentation of its history, including a newspaper article describing its use in civic parades. According to the article, the Flag dates to around 1876, when Colorado entered the Union as the 38th state, and was used to lead processions with horse-drawn fire equipment.

The Tilley family has deep roots in New England history. Clarence was the first Afircan American to service on the Portsmouth Fire Department and drove the Japanese dignitaries in the Treaty of Portsmouth in 1905. Clarence’s mother, Isabelle Grimm Tilley, escaped slavery and became a respected member of the Portsmouth community. Her remarkable life story is preserved by Historic New England and can be read here:
👉 Historic New England: Isabelle Grimm Tilley

Summary

Date: c.1876 (38-star era, Colorado statehood)
Size: 16 ft x 8 ft
Condition: Fair to good; repair in one corner, minor tears and wear
Provenance: Family history with supporting newspaper documentation
Use: Parades and civic celebrations, including processions with horse-drawn fire equipment

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a monumental, documented 19th-century U.S. Flag with strong family provenance and ties to New England history.