John,

I have always wanted to do such a comparison of the VA state flags out there and see if patterns can be established that might offers clues as to who painted them. A good place to begin is if any information can be found as to exactly when did the pertinent flag get issued to the regiment. VA began officially doing so in late October 1861 and continued, according to the invoices, to do so until February 1865.

Then we have earlier VA state flags that units paid for themselves or they were paid for by people of that units community who then had them made by professional flag makers - or at last the state COA painted on them.

Greg Biggs