OUTSTANDING CIVIL WAR FLAG QUILT FROM THE BROOKS FAMILY OF MAINE.

OUTSTANDING CIVIL WAR FLAG QUILT FROM THE BROOKS FAMILY OF MAINE. The patriotic quilt having a central field of seven red stripes and six white stripes with a center diamond having an arrangement of 34 white stars on a blue background. The outer border having a blue field with 34 white stars. Significant to the quilt is the stitching in the bottommost and topmost red stripes, one saying “Secession Never” and the other “Union Forever.” The following description was prepared by Lynne Z. Bassett who is considered to be the foremost expert on early American quilts. Though they could not vote, women in generations prior to the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 held strong opinions on national matters. Without a ballot or a voice in the government, they often used their needles to give vent to their views. The Civil War elicited strong opinions among women, North and South, as they sent their husbands, sons, and brothers to the bloody battlefields. This period thus generated some of the most spectacular patriotic quilts in American history. This Civil War-era quilt is designed with a central diamond of 34 white stars (one for each state in the union) appliquéd on a blue field, set on a background of thirteen red and white stripes. Thirty-four white stars appliquéd on blue forms a border around the edges. It is a visually graphic statement, unmistakable in its viewpoint. More subtle in appearance, but just as strong in emotion is the maker’s opinion, quilted in the top and bottom red stripes: “Union Forever,” and “Secession Never.” Descended in the Brooks family of Maine, this quilt may have been stitched by Asenath (Hersom) Brooks (1808-1895), wife of William Brooks (1800-1883) of Brownfield. The oldest of their five children, John H. Brooks (1829-1862), battled for the Union as a private in the 11th Maine Infantry, serving in Virginia. The quilt is all cotton, and is entirely hand-stitched. Leaves on a vine are quilted around the circle of stars within the central medallion, while a chain design surrounds the medallion itself. A similar quilted chain undulates around the stars of the border. The red and white stripes feature quilting in clamshells, S-curved lines, stars, and floral motifs. The quilting thread colors vary, so that they blend into the red, white, and blue fabric; there are approximately six to seven quilting stitches per inch. Three strips of plain white cotton fabric comprise the backing, and the edges are bound with straight-grain red cotton. Minor yellowing does not diminish the vibrancy of this patriotic quilt. Scattered flyspecks and small brown spots can be alleviated with professional conservation.In sum, this quilt is an important document of American history, providing a tangible link to the traumatic era of the Civil War and to the people who experienced it. SIZE: 69” x 80-1/2”. CONDITION: Minor yellowing and scattered small brown spots and fly specks, generally very good. 9-74511 FP (25,000-50,000)

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Samoset 2007

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	843	$0.00	OUTSTANDING CIVIL WAR FLAG QUILT FROM THE BROOKS FAMILY OF MAINE. The patriotic quilt having a central field of seven red stripes and six white stripes with a center diamond having an arrangement of 34 white stars on a blue background. The outer border having a blue field with 34 white stars. Significant to the quilt is the stitching in the bottommost and topmost red stripes, one saying “Secession Never” and the other “Union Forever.” The following description was prepared by Lynne Z. Bassett who is considered to be the foremost expert on early American quilts. Though they could not vote, women in generations prior to the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 held strong opinions on national matters. Without a ballot or a voice in the government, they often used their needles to give vent to their views. The Civil War elicited strong opinions among women, North and South, as they sent their husbands, sons, and brothers to the bloody battlefields. This period thus generated some of the most spectacular patriotic quilts in American history. This Civil War-era quilt is designed with a central diamond of 34 white stars (one for each state in the union) appliquéd on a blue field, set on a background of thirteen red and white stripes. Thirty-four white stars appliquéd on blue forms a border around the edges. It is a visually graphic statement, unmistakable in its viewpoint. More subtle in appearance, but just as strong in emotion is the maker’s opinion, quilted in the top and bottom red stripes: “Union Forever,” and “Secession Never.” Descended in the Brooks family of Maine, this quilt may have been stitched by Asenath (Hersom) Brooks (1808-1895), wife of William Brooks (1800-1883) of Brownfield. The oldest of their five children, John H. Brooks (1829-1862), battled for the Union as a private in the 11th Maine Infantry, serving in Virginia. The quilt is all cotton, and is entirely hand-stitched. Leaves on a vine are quilted around the circle of stars within the central medallion, while a chain design surrounds the medallion itself. A similar quilted chain undulates around the stars of the border. The red and white stripes feature quilting in clamshells, S-curved lines, stars, and floral motifs. The quilting thread colors vary, so that they blend into the red, white, and blue fabric; there are approximately six to seven quilting stitches per inch. Three strips of plain white cotton fabric comprise the backing, and the edges are bound with straight-grain red cotton. Minor yellowing does not diminish the vibrancy of this patriotic quilt. Scattered flyspecks and small brown spots can be alleviated with professional conservation.In sum, this quilt is an important document of American history, providing a tangible link to the traumatic era of the Civil War and to the people who experienced it. SIZE: 69” x 80-1/2”. CONDITION: Minor yellowing and scattered small brown spots and fly specks, generally very good. 9-74511 FP (25,000-50,000) Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Samoset 2007 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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