FREMONT & DAYTON 1856 CAMPAIGN SPENCERIAN FOLK ART HAND PAINTED PARADE BANNER.
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Winning Bid:
$15,851.18
(Includes 18% Buyer's Premium)
Bidding Ended:
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 9:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Tuesday, November 14, 2023 9:00:00 PM)
Item Description
57x77" hand inked onto two vertical sections of unglazed cotton joined at center. Vegetable-dyed edge binding free hand stitched around border. Banner is attached to a horizontal wooden pole with 31 handmade square nails. Lower half features crossed American flags, cannon and sword expertly depicted below a compass pointing north. At top is a magnificent eagle perched atop a battle axe clutching a "Fremont & Dayton Club" banner in its beak. Signed by artist "F. W. Wells" at lower right. Magnificent detail and expert shading provide a fittingly stirring design matching the fervor and spirit of Fremont's candidacy as the first Republican Presidential nominee. Wells utilizes the Spencerian style applying the aesthetic in monumental size unlike any other examples we have encountered. This banner was obtained by our consignor over two decades ago in a private treaty sale and is only now making its first public appearance in commerce. Damp staining in cream background with trivial and scattered tiny holes. Binding has moderate wear most notably at bottom center where a small section has come loose but remains attached. This could be easily repaired by a conservator and overall it retains over 95% of this fragile binding. All in all it is in magnificent condition, especially for a banner of this age and size. A truly remarkable survivor worthy of the most advanced collections and/or museum holdings. Pre-Civil War political textiles are notoriously rare and banners of this quality are infrequently offered. An important opportunity to obtain a previously unrecorded 1856 campaign banner that will be the focal point of any display space.
A note from Americana Specialist Scott Mussell: Our research turned up little about artist F. W. Wells but this design makes clear their prowess as a banner designer. While a pre-Civil War campaign banner would warrant serious consideration in any condition, it is worth emphasizing the incredible state of this survivor. The fabric remains supple and the binding remains almost completely intact. The minor overall wear alludes to the use and character of this magnificent piece of Americana. An appealing artifact to collectors of Americana, folk art, political campaign material culture and those seeking the very finest in any asset class. In person this banner is among the most impressive we have encountered, a premier eye grabber. It is a great privilege to bring this to market and not since our offering of a Lincoln & Hamlin Wide Awake banner in Auction 231 have I been so smitten by a campaign textile.
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