Image

Anderson Bros., printer

Betsy Ross Commemorative Handkerchief, early 1900s

Description

Maker

Anderson Bros., early 20th century, American, printer

Title

Betsy Ross Commemorative Handkerchief

Year

early 1900s

Medium

Jacquard woven silk

Dimensions

50.8 cm (20 inches) (length)

Place

New Jersey; Paterson

Type

Credit

Gift of Mrs. Constance Wharton Smith

Object Number

58.165.30

Exhibition History

Former Glory

July 27, 2018 - January 20, 2019

Contrary to popular belief, no evidence supports the story that the first American flag was made by Betsy Ross, thought to be depicted here. The Ross myth, disseminated by Ross’s grandson, coincided with the 1876 Centennial Exposition, which commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While Ross probably didn’t design the first American flag, she was known to sew flags for the Pennsylvania Navy during the Revolutionary War.

Use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use. This object is in Copyright. This object is Betsy Ross Commemorative Handkerchief with the accession number of 58.165.30. To request high-resolution files or new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.

Feedback

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