Pat Harrison
American Politician and U.S. Senator · Politics - U.S. Government
United States Senate / Democratic Party
Era
1930s-1940s
Item Type
American flag
Condition
Good condition with moderate fabric aging, fading of the ink over the textured cotton weave, and slight yellowing typical of vintage flags.
Rarity
Scarce, as political figures from the early 20th century are infrequently sought on unconventional substrates like flags unless associated with a major presidential campaign.
Overall Assessment
An interesting and unique piece of political memorabilia featuring a prominent New Deal era senator's signature on a vintage American flag, best suited for specialized institutional or political collections.
Authenticity Assessment
Uncertain - requires professional authentication due to lack of widespread public exemplar databases for this specific figure.
Signature Style
Clear, legible hand-written script with a vertical orientation spanning two lines, followed by an inscription of number 37.
Signature Characteristics
Consistent slanting, distinct capital 'P' and 'H', straightforward looping lowercase letters written with deliberate speed on a difficult fabric surface.
Ink & Medium
Dark graphite pencil or black grease pencil on fabric
Item Description
Vintage cotton or cotton-blend American flag with printed stars and stripes, bearing a handwritten signature and number 37 directly on a white stripe.
Estimated Value
$50 - $150
Comparison to Known Examples
Matches standard historical signatures attributed to Byron Patton 'Pat' Harrison from his congressional documentation in terms of basic capital letter structure.
Authentication Tips
Compare letter formations against known documents, letters, or signed photographs from Pat Harrison's tenure in the U.S. Senate. Examine ink interaction with the fabric fibers.
Certification Recommendation
PSA/DNA or JSA (James Spence Authentication)
Red Flags
Signing on a flag can sometimes be associated with novelty or souvenir items rather than official government provenance; lack of immediate contextual provenance.
Provenance Notes
Origin history, family descent, or documentation tracing the flag to a specific political event or senate office significantly impacts value.
Historical Context
Pat Harrison served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Mississippi, playing a highly influential role during the New Deal era as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
Market Trends
Stable niche market for early 20th-century U.S. political autographs, heavily dependent on the historical significance of the specific politician.
Investment Potential
Hold/Moderate investment outlook; primarily of interest to specialized political history collectors rather than mainstream sports or entertainment investors.
Similar Autographs
Signatures of contemporary U.S. Senators, New Deal era politicians, and political memorabilia from the 1930s Roosevelt administration.
Display & Preservation
Frame behind UV-protective acrylic in an acid-free, shadowbox environment away from direct sunlight to prevent further fading of the fabric and ink.
Interesting Facts
Harrison was a powerful figure in the Democratic party and a close ally of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, though they occasionally clashed on economic policy.