American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Silken standard, approx. 36 1/2 in. high x 48 in. wide, edged with yellow silk fringe, approx. 2 in. (wear throughout, including areas of separation in silk, tears, holes, some loss to hoist end, soiling). Both sides are hand-painted on a red ground and feature a patriotic shield with "1" and crossed cannon, surrounded by red riband, which reads, "Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem." The shield is flanked by bundles of wheat and acanthus leaves, with disembodied armored sword arm at top, as seen on the Massachusetts state seal, and a blue riband at bottom identifying the flag to "The 1st Massachusetts Lt. Battery, M.V.M." (hand-painted area especially brittle, with tearing and areas of loss). The standard is partially mounted with an unknown adhesive to velvet-covered board and framed, 47 x 56 in. (lacking cover glass, loose sections of flag are visible on reverse side, but we are unable to view the reverse side of the flag in its entirety). 

The present standard was likely produced shortly after the Civil War when the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia was reconstituted and began to routinely use "M.V.M." The "1st Mass. Lt. Battery" existed prior to the Civil War, but at that time, a completely different style of the state arms had been used by Massachusetts militia. The 1st Massachusetts Light Battery served on active duty throughout the Civil War, and the arrangement of the scrolls and the armored sword arm on the present standard are similar to several colors issued within the last year or so of the war. The visible side of the standard lacks an artist's signature, but the overall style, lettering, and brushwork suggest that it may have been painted by Thomas Savory (1807-1882), a well-known decorative painter in Boston. He produced paintings of the Massachusetts militia on parade before the war, often painted flags on sub-contract through Charles O. Eaton, and also sold flags on his own account during and after the war. The flag may have also been painted by Charles O. Eaton, who was contracted for all colors and standards paid for by the state. Our sincere thanks for the detailed analysis and information regarding the flag's possible origin and artist provided by Steven Hill, who has seven years of experiencing working with the Massachusetts State House Flag Project.

Provenance: Purchased from Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman, ca 1960s-1970s (consignor relates).

A rare Massachusetts Militia standard produced soon after the Civil War.