American Flags Collectible Treasures : Episode COL-709 -- More Projects »
Since the first loving stitches, the American flag has been a symbol of freedom for more than two centuries. Here's a collection that pays tribute to America's star spangled banner in just about every form. Contrary to popular opinion, the American flag didn't spring full-blown into existence at the hands of Betsy Ross. In fact, it evolved slowly over time into the bold icon so familiar today. As one historian put it, the flag was a "growth" rather than a "creation." This 30-year-old American flag memorabilia collection started as a single heirloom flag and has grown into a vast collection.
On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress adopted the first official American flag. The original design would undergo 27 different transformations as the United States shifted and grew. Since the 1960s, Kit Hindrichs has been collecting everything from historic flags, to flag insignias and buttons, to artistic renditions of the flag. Anything with a flag theme has been a welcome addition to Hindrich's collection, which has grown 2,500 pieces, ranging in price from less than a dollar to more than $10,000.
As a designer, Hindrichs says he has always been interested in fascinating graphic objects, particularly in American flag memorabilia. Over the past four decades, he's found the stars and stripes portrayed in countless ways, including early American art in a variety of forms.
Through the years, children have been taught patriotism with toys that have flag motifs.
People in most countries cherish their national emblems, but because America is such a young nation, America may be closer to the flag's icon of patriotism. The American flag has been depicted on almost every aspect of daily life and on a variety of common objects. For more than 200 years, Americans have proudly displayed Ol' Glory on all sorts of novelty objects.
  This rare Uncle Sam pop-out fan is worth more than $1,000. | |
Beyond the collectible and graphic appeal of the star spangled banner, American flag memorabilia collector Kit Hindrichs appreciates it as a symbol of the American character. "It's the only flag, to my knowledge, in the world that has change built into it," he says. "It's an important thing and is representative of this country that we change and we're always evolving. I think there's something about that represented in the flag."
______________________________________________________ Collector: Kit Hindrichs
Location: Private Residence
Details: tied silk flag, 1865 heirloom flag, Civil War flag quilt with 35 stars valued at $7,000, flag handkerchiefs, toy soldiers with flags, Lady Liberty bed doll, puzzle block sets, pocket flag circa late 1890s, flag pins, flag spoons, paper flag fans, Uncle Sam cigar fan valued at $1,000, flag postcards, flag embroidered cards
Resources Online Flag Exhibit: A Revelation of the American Flag as Art and as Social History
Online Flag Exhibit
URL: www.library.lapeer.org/Exhibits/Flags/index.html
Also in this Episode
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