The Star-Spangled Banner: Snippets of History
The Fabric of Patriotism
For decades, Americans clamored for fragments of the iconic Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key’s stirring anthem during the War of 1812. These snippets became cherished keepsakes, offering a tangible connection to a pivotal moment in American history.
Collectors’ Craze
Wealthy individuals, historical societies, and even household staff eagerly sought after pieces of the flag. Stephen Salisbury II, one of the wealthiest men in Worcester, Massachusetts, lamented that his collection lacked a blue scrap to match his red and white swatches. He implored Georgiana Armistead Appleton, the daughter of Fort McHenry’s commander, to send him a piece of blue, fearing that without it, his collection would be incomplete.
Appleton, who inherited the flag after her parents’ death, was inundated with similar requests. Despite her reluctance, she reluctantly distributed snippets of the banner, knowing that they held immense sentimental value for her countrymen.
A National Icon Diminished
The widespread practice of snipping fragments from the Star-Spangled Banner gradually reduced its size. The flag on display at the National Museum of American History is significantly smaller than the original, with an estimated loss of 20 percent of its original area.
Some fragments were buried with war veterans, while others found their way into historical monuments and museums. The fate of the flag’s 15th star remains a mystery, as Appleton kept the identity of its recipient a secret.
A Talisman of the Past
In the late 1800s, owning a fragment of the Star-Spangled Banner was akin to possessing a precious talisman. It symbolized a connection to the nation’s heroic past and the values that had shaped its identity.
This reverence for historical artifacts continues today, as evidenced by the high value placed on chunks of the Berlin Wall or steel remnants from the World Trade Center. These fragments serve as tangible reminders of significant events that have shaped our collective consciousness.
The Armisteads’ Snippets
Georgiana Appleton and her father, Lt. Col. George Armistead, liberally distributed fragments of the Star-Spangled Banner. Naval officer George Preble, who borrowed the flag for historical documentation, also distributed snippets to various societies and individuals.
Some recipients reverently framed their fragments or displayed them on velvet or silk. Others tucked them away in books or envelopes, to be forgotten for decades. One fragment was discovered in a Paris apartment in 1968, while another was donated to the U.S. Naval Academy Museum in 1952.
A Private Collection
In 2011, William Saunders, a retired market researcher from Ohio, purchased an authenticated fragment of the Star-Spangled Banner at auction for $10,755. The blue fragment, adorned with a single red thread, measures just 1.25 inches long and a half-inch wide.
Despite its diminutive size, the fragment holds immense emotional significance for Saunders. He proudly displays it in his home, illuminated by a brass lamp, as a tangible reminder of the flag that inspired a nation.
The Legacy of the Snippets
The fragments of the Star-Spangled Banner dispersed throughout the nation serve as a patchwork of memories, connecting Americans to their shared history. They remind us of the sacrifices made by our ancestors and the enduring spirit that has sustained our nation through countless trials.
These fragments, now preserved in museums and private collections, continue to inspire awe and reverence, ensuring that the legacy of the Star-Spangled Banner will live on for generations to come.
