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  45 STAR PARADE FLAG with UPSIDE-DOWN STARS, SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR-ERA, 1896-1907

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 33" x 42.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 25" x 33.5"
Description....:
45 STAR PARADE FLAG with UPSIDE-DOWN STARS, SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR-ERA, 1896-1907:

Large 45 star American parade flag, printed on cotton. Note how the stars are arranged in staggered rows, but that their vertical orientation is upside-down. Whether or not this had any particular purpose is unknown. Probably it did not. Since there were no regulations concerning either star configuration or positioning until 1912, it is likely that the maker of this flag did not feel that any particular star position was "right-side-up". The designer might have simply liked the look of the stars with two arms up throughout instead of one. In any event, this was not the norm and it makes for an interesting feature.

Utah became the 45th state in 1896. It had been attempting to gain statehood for many years, but remained a territory, primarily due to the fact that the Mormon Church and Utah authorities continued to be openly tolerant of polygamy. In 1890, Mormon Church President Wilford Woodruff published a manifesto that denounced the contract of "any marriages forbidden by the law of the land". This gave way to Utah's 1896 acceptance. The 45 star flag was generally used from that year until 1907, when Oklahoma joined the Union. Due to the Spanish-American War (1898) and Teddy Roosevelt's famous world tour of the "White Fleet" (launched in 1907), this was an extremely patriotic period.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton rag mat and placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded, and distressed, contemporary Italian molding. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is u.v. protective.

Condition: There is minor foxing and staining throughout, but there are no significant condition issues.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 45
Earliest Date of Origin: 1896
Latest Date of Origin: 1907
State/Affiliation: Utah
War Association: 1898 Spanish American War
Price: SOLD
 

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