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  38 STARS, 1876-1889, SIGNED "WILLIAMS" ON THE REVERSE, COLORADO STATEHOOD

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 37.75" x 28.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 26.5" x 17.75"
Description....:
38 STARS, 1876-1889, SIGNED "WILLIAMS" ON THE REVERSE, COLORADO STATEHOOD:

38 star American national parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. The configuration of the canton, which contains three consecutive squares of stars, is lent additional folk quality through their scattered vertical alignment. Note how they point in various directions.

The family name "Williams" is penciled below the canton on the reverse side. A group of these flags were found together, all marked in the same way. It is likely that a large family attended a parade, purchased the flags for the event, and wished to make sure that they did not get lost. Marking of flags in such a manner to show ownership was common on both parade flags and sewn flags in the 19th century.

The 38th state, Colorado, received its statehood on August 1st, 1876. This was just 28 days after the official celebration of our nation's centennial of independence, which took place on July 4th of that year. Although 37 was the official star count in 1876, flag-making was a competitive venture, and no one wanted to be making 37 star flags when others were making 38's. It is for this reason that 38 and 13 stars (to represent the original 13 colonies) are the two star counts most often seen at the Centennial Exposition. The 38 star flag became official in 1877 and was generally used until the addition of the Dakotas in 1889.

Mounting: The flag has been placed in its correct vertical position, with the canton in the upper left. It was then hand-stitched to 100% cotton rag and placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is u.v. protective.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 38
Earliest Date of Origin: 1876
Latest Date of Origin: 1889
State/Affiliation: Colorado
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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