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Postcard of the Original Star-Spangled Banner

Smithsonian Libraries and Archives
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Object Details

Author
Curt Teich & Co
Subject
Star-Spangled Banner (Flag)
United States National Museum
Arts and Industries Building
National Collections
Category
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
The original Star-Spangled Banner is the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write his song of the same name after the American defeat of British forces at the Battle of Fort McHenry (September 14, 1812) during the War of 1812. The flag is on permanent exhibition at the National Museum of American History, in accordance with the wishes of its donor, New York stockbroker Eben Appleton.
#4A-H2188. Genuine Curteich-Chicago "C.T. Photo-Colorit" Post Card. Curt Otto Teich (1877-1974), a German immigrant, founded Curt Teich & Co., which was a postcard printing company that operated from 1898 to 1978. The company specialized in view and advertising postcards, and was the largest volume printer of this type in the world from the 1920s to the 1940s. C.T. Photo-Colorit was a printing process used by Curt Teich & Co.
This postcard is located in Accession #03-140, which is part of Record Unit 95.
For another version of this postcard, see Negatives SIA2013-06667 and SIA2013-06668.
Summary
Postcard of the original Star-Spangled Banner which at the time was hanging in the United States National Museum, now the Arts and Industries Building. It is shown against a yellow background, and the front has white edging. The message side is blank.
Contained within
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 45, Folder: 27
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
1934
Standard number
SIA2013-07232 (front) and SIA2013-07233 (back)
Restrictions & Rights
No restrictions
Type
Postcard
Linen
Physical description
Number of Images: 2; Color: Color; Size: 5.5w x 3.5h; Type of Image: Postcard; Medium: Linen
Place
United States
Smithsonian Archives - History Div
Topic
Postcard
American Flag
Emblems, National
Flags
Museum exhibits
Exhibitions
United States - History--War of 1812
Record ID
siris_sic_13804
Metadata Usage (text)
Usage conditions apply

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