Maryland Confederate Secession Ribbon
Early 1861 - 3 x 5 inches
 
A rare silk ribbon issued during the opening months of the Secession Crisis, when Maryland was widely viewed as a potential addition to the Confederacy. Printed in red and blue, it features crossed First National Confederate flags with seven stars above the Great Seal of Maryland, accompanied by the slogans "Old Maryland Line! Don't Tread on Us."and "Death Before Dishonor." The design reflects the strong Southern sympathies present in portions of the state before federal intervention prevented a secession convention and secured Maryland's place in the Union.
 
Among the most evocative surviving expressions of Confederate sentiment in Maryland, the ribbon captures the uncertainty of early 1861, when the loyalty of the crucial border state remained in doubt.
 
Condition: Choice, superb condition.