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OLD GLORY, HAND-STITCHED BY THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF BETSY ROSS

While there is no true evidence that Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag, it is a story that is woven into the history of our nation. A smaller version of the Stars and Stripes, which we will be offering in our October 10, 2014 Exposition auction, is based on that of Betsy Ross, and was hand-stitched in 1903 by her granddaughter, Rachel Albright.

Rachel-Albright-portrait1
Rachel J. Wilson Albright, courtesy of www.findagrave.com

Albright began creating small, replica flags to raise funds for the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association, formed to purchase the house Betsy Ross lived in and where she purportedly created the first Stars and Stripes, 239 Arch Street in Philadelphia. It is believed Rachel Albright began creating the replica flags in 1898 and did so until 1905; she reportedly died in 1907 at the age of 96, (other sources report her death as 1905). In 1902, Albright’s daughter, Sarah M. Wilson, began helping as well, but stopped in 1913.

The flags Albright and Wilson created were out of silk and completely hand-stitched. The majority of the flags were created for tourists and measured approximately 5 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches. Larger versions are considered rarer: the flag we have being offered measures a substantial 10 3/4 x 18 7/8 inches. The flags are always distinguishable due to a hand-written note on the hoist binding of each flag. Our flag has the following statement:

First flag made in 1777 by Betsy Ross. This copy of the original flag made in May 1903 by Rachel Albright aged 93 years and 11 months. Grand daughter of Betsy Ross.

We are pleased to have on offer this treasured piece of Americana, from the Collection of Mr. Ashton Hawkins and Mr. Johnnie Moore, Lot 124, with an estimate of $700 – $900, in our October 10th Exposition auction.

References and Further Reading:

Betsy Ross presenting the first American flag to General George Washington, by Edward Percy  Moran
Betsy Ross presenting the first American flag to General George Washington, by Edward Percy Moran
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