Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  44 STARS IN A NOTCHED PATTERN ON A LARGE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH A PENCILED INSCRIPTION FROM A CELEBRATION OF JULY 4TH IN NORTH DAKOTA, 1890-1896, REFLECTS WYOMING STATEHOOD, EX-RICHARD PIERCE COLLECTION

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 35" x 49"
Flag Size (H x L): 22.5" x 36.75"
Description....:
44 star American parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. The stars are arranged in a notched pattern, whereby four spaces are left open along the hoist end for the addition of Western Territories that were yet to gain statehood. By this period it was well known that Utah, Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico would eventually become states and some flag-makers were creatively accommodating for this fact. At the same time they were most certainly backing westward expansion, with the hopes that they would soon have a reason to produce new flags. Notched patterns are an interesting deviation from the norm and provide for both an attractive and historically intriguing presentation.

Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10th, 1890. Even though the 44 star flag was not official until July 4th, 1891, most flag-makers would have begun to add a 44th star to their flags as soon as Wyoming declared statehood, or perhaps even before the state was actually added. Because flag-making was a competitive venture, flag-makers did not want to be producing 43 star flags, for example, when their competitors were selling 44’s. The 44 star flag would have generally seen use until the addition of Utah in 1896.

Written in the 5th white stripe is the following, penciled inscription:

"4th of July 1892. Frank C. Marvin; Valley City, No. Dakota"

Hand-written messages such as this on early flags can be a wonderful testament to their use in the period of their manufacture. This example was formerly in the collection of Richard Pierce, the leading collector of printed flags. I believe that I sold this to him originally, many years ago.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton twill, black in color, which was washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. The mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass.

Condition: There are tiny holes along the hoist, where the flag was once affixed to its original staff. There are minor tears in the 5th and 7th red stripes and there is some fraying at the top and bottom corners of the fly end. There is modest pigment loss in the canton and stripes, particularly in the upper fly end corner of the canton and at the fly end of the stripe field. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 44
Earliest Date of Origin: 1890
Latest Date of Origin: 1892
State/Affiliation: Wyoming
War Association: 1866-1890 Indian Wars
Price: SOLD
 

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