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Rare Large WWI-Era Patriotic American Soldier Portrait Plaque – 48-Star Flags, Bald Eagle, E Pluribus Unum, Military and Home Front Illustrations – Circa 1917–1920
An exceptionally colorful and visually striking original early-20th-century American patriotic soldier portrait display, believed to date from the World War I era.
Measuring approximately 7¾ inches tall by 5¾ inches wide, this substantial oval piece features a central sepia-toned photographic portrait of an unidentified American soldier, surrounded by elaborate red, white, blue, and gold patriotic illustrations.
The decorative design celebrates military service, American national identity, and the families who supported soldiers during wartime.
48-Star American Flags – An Important Dating Detail
The composition prominently features two large American flags, each displaying 48 stars.
The 48-star flag became official on July 4, 1912, following the admission of New Mexico and Arizona, and remained the official national design until 1959.
Together with the soldier's campaign hat, period uniform, and patriotic imagery, these flags support an attribution to the World War I period, approximately 1917–1920.
Central Military Portrait
The centerpiece is a sepia-toned photographic portrait showing a young man in military uniform, wearing a broad-brimmed campaign hat.
He is pictured outdoors, leaning slightly forward toward the camera.
The soldier's name, military unit, and specific service history are unknown.
The photograph is enclosed within an oval gold-colored border, surrounded by a remarkable decorative arrangement that resembles a linked chain incorporating military cartridges or ammunition.
This unusually elaborate presentation makes the piece particularly attractive as a surviving example of early American military portrait memorabilia.
Exceptional Patriotic Artwork
The surrounding design is richly detailed, incorporating several distinctive symbolic elements:
A magnificent bald eagle with outstretched wings, positioned above the soldier's portrait.
A flowing ribbon bearing the national motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
Two large American flags displaying 48 stars.
A decorative wreath-like border formed from linked military cartridges and gold-colored elements.
A large red heart with a blue star beneath the soldier's portrait.
A soldier carrying a rifle with a fixed bayonet.
A woman and young child accompanying the uniformed soldier.
A domestic scene depicting a man seated at a table with two women.
A lower illustration showing a uniformed figure reading or writing beside field equipment.
The scenes evoke military duty, family relationships, wartime correspondence, and the American home front.
The blue star within the heart is especially interesting in the context of WWI-era service-star symbolism, when blue stars represented family members serving in the armed forces. Its exact significance within this particular design is not independently documented.
An Evocative WWI Home Front Keepsake
During World War I, American families displayed photographs, patriotic decorations, service flags, and commemorative objects recognizing loved ones serving in the military.
This striking oval portrait display fits within that tradition of personal military remembrance and patriotic decoration.
Unlike an ordinary studio photograph, the colorful illustrations surround the sitter with imagery of national service and family life.
The resulting piece combines photographic history with decorative American wartime memorabilia.
Construction and Size
The plaque has a glossy, convex front with what appears to be a celluloid-covered printed design surrounding the central photographic portrait.
The reverse is dark brown with a textured, woodgrain-like appearance and a narrow metal-colored rim.
Two protruding metal fittings are visible on the reverse. These may have formed part of an original hanging or fastening system, although the complete original attachment arrangement has not been established.
Because of its unusually large dimensions, the piece is more appropriately described as a decorative photographic plaque or portrait display rather than an ordinary wearable pinback button.
Approximate dimensions:
7¾ inches high × 5¾ inches wide
Condition
Original antique condition, with visible signs of age and handling.
The colorful patriotic illustrations remain vivid, displaying strong red, blue, gold, and black detail.
The surface exhibits scattered scratches, rubbing, discoloration, and wear around the edges. The soldier's photograph shows fading and small surface imperfections.
The reverse has noticeable surface scratching and wear, along with two surviving metal attachment fittings.
Please examine all photographs carefully for the precise condition and construction.
Collector Appeal
An exceptional display piece for collectors of:
World War I American military memorabilia
Original antique patriotic portrait displays
48-star American flag collectibles
Early celluloid and metal photographic plaques
WWI doughboy portraits and campaign-hat uniforms
American eagle and E Pluribus Unum imagery
Home Front, family, and military-service memorabilia
Unusual oversized photographic and patriotic collectibles
The large format, expressive soldier portrait, and richly detailed patriotic imagery give this piece particularly strong visual appeal.
One original antique patriotic soldier portrait plaque, sold exactly as photographed.
Please explore Paper Trail Studio for additional original antique military photographs, unusual patriotic memorabilia, historical portraits, and collectible Americana.
Combined shipping is available whenever practical.
