Civil War Patriotic Ribbons (Set of Four)
Circa 1861 - Silk, matted and framed - each approximately 11¼ x 7 inches
 
A cohesive group of four silk patriotic ribbons issued at the outset of the Civil War, intended for wear at Union rallies, enlistment gatherings, and civic demonstrations. Printed with bold slogans and national imagery, such ribbons served as visible expressions of loyalty to the federal cause during a moment of profound political and social upheaval.
 
The inscriptions invoke themes central to early Union wartime rhetoric, including the defense of the Constitution, the preservation of the Union, and the symbolic authority of the national flag and Capitol. Two examples prominently pair the dates July 4, 1776 and July 4, 1861, explicitly linking the founding of the Republic with the contemporary struggle to sustain it. Produced for temporary use and subject to the fragility of silk, examples of this type are comparatively scarce, particularly in cohesive groupings.
 
Condition: Excellent.