7 1/4 x 12 in. silk flag with 46 printed stars configured in 8/7/8/8/7/8 pattern (vibrant colors, occasional soiling). Overprint on stripes: "One hundredth anniversary celebration of the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, February 12, 1909, Lincoln Park Chapter No. 177 R.A.M.” Professionally mounted using stitch on board. 

Abraham Lincoln was born in Harden County, Kentucky on 12 February 1809, to Thomas and Mary Hanks Lincoln. The family moved to Illinois when he was seven. Lincoln served in the state assembly and US Congress and was elected president in 1860. Known as the “Great Emancipator,” he was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre on 14 April 1865 and died the following morning.

This flag was printed by the Lincoln Park Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons (R.A.M.) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.

This flag has been exhibited at several museums and is documented in the book The Stars and Stripes: Fabric of the American Spirit, Richard Pierce, LLC, 2005 (page 56).