Measuring 12 feet 6 inches x 20 feet 6 inches, this U.S. garrison flag was specifically crafted and presented at the Lincoln-Douglas Debate on October 7th, 1858 at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois. Over a 150 years ago the east side of Old Main at Knox College was the site of a significant episode in American history: it served as the fifth of seven sites for the historic Lincoln-Douglas Debates. On October 7th, 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas meet at the prairie town college for the purpose of debating one another during their political campaigns for the Illinois Senate seat. The debate primarily focused on the future of slavery and how slavery should be treated in future states as America expanded westward. Lincoln favored the complete demise of slavery. Douglas, while not pro-slavery, favored self-determination for newly formed states. The institution of slavery, proclaimed Douglas, was a state right and the federal government did not have the power to band slavery in the new states. Lincoln, however, did not believe that the country could survive as half slavery and half free, or Lincoln's famous "house-divided" position. Galesburg drew the largest crowd of the seven road show debates that had caught national attention thanks in part to the telegraph. It was the telegraph that allowed newspapers across the country, both North and South, to print the spoken words of Lincoln and Douglas for national consumption. At times, the newspaper articles reflected more of the paper's political viewpoints than the words of the speaker. While Lincoln did not win the Senate race, the debates helped propel him on the national stage to achieve victory in the 1860 U.S. Presidential race. During the historic Galesburg debate, this flag originally had 33 stars. The flag now has a total of 36 stars, 3 stars being added after the debate. The binding on the left has the manufacturer information: "GILBERT HUBBARD & CO / SAIL MAKERS / 205-207". The flag is displayed in a 37 inch x 61 inch presentation case. Included is a copy of a postcard that once was attached to the flag (the actual postcard was stolen in 2000 and copies of the original were taken prior to the theft). The postcard is dated April 23rd, 1936 and handwritten on the card is the following: "Flag, Stars and Stripes made for this Lincoln and Douglas Debate at Knox College, Galesburg, IL." A notarized letter signed by the owner of Antique Corp of Galesburg, IL (Dr. Sam TerBeek) and an appraiser for Antique Corp (Duane Ziegler) states that this flag was flown at the Galesburg Lincoln-Douglas Debate, three stars where subsequently added after the debate, and is the only known garrison flag left from the Civil War era. A second notarized letter from George Leafgreen, a pervious owner, also authenticates this flag. Leafgreen states that he acquired the flag when he was 31 years old in 1961. The aforementioned documents, along with a Galesburg newspaper article celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Galesburg debate, are laminated and presented in a 25 inch x 37 inch frame. The Lincoln-Douglas debates were the preamble to America's Civil War. The debates set the stage for Lincoln to take up residence in the White House in 1860 and reflected the fierce ideological debates that led to a civil war. The aftermath of the Civil War cannot be overstated. The war destroyed the economy and infrastructure of the South. It eradicated slavery from the country, while paving the way for Civil Rights legislation for more than a century to come. It strengthen the federal government at the cost of state's rights. The war also increased the power of the executive branch at the cost of the legislative and judicial branches, an imbalance of power that can still be seen today.

Fine. Overall there are some scattered minor tears and holes (most of which are located near the binding), with typical scattered stains associated with its age. The top edge has been folded over and sewn shut with some material loss on the red stripe and the remnants of a hanger near the binding. Period repairs are present on the fifth red stripe, seventh red stripe, first white stripe and fourth white stripe. Considering its age and historical importance this flag remains in fine condition, worthy of being displayed in a prestigious American museum. Do not miss your chance to own a historic and significant piece of American history that would be the envy of any American presidential or military museum.