First World War Patriotic Banner by Alberto Buccini (NY, 1900-1933)

Lot Details & Additional Photographs

Paint on satin silk behind plexiglass in a gilt frame, the subject being an eagle protecting the American flag while a streamer above reads "VICTORY." The work is dated, copyrighted and signed in the banner's lower right corner as follows: "19©18 / A. Buccini / N.Y.C." As a gifted teen in New York City during WWI, Buccini painted a mere handful of large patriotic banners. That the Victory streamer is present suggests that Buccini is commemorating the war's end on November 11, 1918.

Framed 37-1/4 x 69 in. high; Sight size 35-1/2 x 66-1/4 in. wide

Private North Carolina Collection

It should be noted that The Woodrow Wilson House in Washington, D.C. has a Buccini banner hanging behind the former president's bed. All such surviving banners are rare, important and worthy of the utmost care.

Reference: Library of Congress, Catalogue of Copyright Entries, Part 4 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1918), New Series, vol. 13, no. 1. Pages 2 and 83.

The banner has pulled away from the left edge of the frame with the largest gap being 1/2 in. at the center, while a 1-1/2 in. horizontal split to the fabric is present in the lower left margin. There are also two 4 in. areas of loss: one at the flagpole's base and another over the date, part of Buccini's' name and his NY location. Fortunately, enough of the signature survives to identify the artist and his location with relative ease.