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  38 HAND-SEWN STARS, 1876-1889, EX-MASTAI COLLECTION

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): if framed, would be approximately 57.5" x 84"
Flag Size (H x L): 47.5" x 74"
Description....:
38 HAND-SEWN STARS, 1876-1889, EX-MASTAI COLLECTION:

38 star American National flag from the collection of Boleslaw and Marie Di Ostrange-Mastai. The Mastai's held one of the most important private collections of American flags in the country, and their book "The Stars and the Stripes", 1973, was long considered to be the bible of flag collecting. Most of the collection was stamped and numbered, as-is this particular flag. Present here is the red Mastai stamp, bearing their name to indicate ownership, that was used on most all of the sewn and printed flags. Also here are notations that include their inventory number, size, and star count. While many people cringe when they see how the Mastai's marked their flags, two things are none-the-less true. First, in the 19th century and into the 20th century, it was common for people to write their name on a flag to indicate ownership. The name usually appears on the sleeve, but is sometimes written in small print on a white stripe or even on a star. That could have been part of the reason that the Mastai's justified the act. Second, because the Mastai book was the first and foremost book on flag collecting, and remained the only book for the better part of 30 years, the presence of the Mastai stamp now increases value significantly. The name stamps and inventory numbers are the easiest ways to identify previous Mastai ownership. After the collection was sold at a combination of auctions (by Sotheby's in New York and South Bay Auctions on Long Island), because the number of flags was so large, it would have become nearly impossible to identify a Mastai flag if the stamps and inventory numbers did not exist. All of the flags were not photographed for the auction catalogues, the Mastai book did not even begin to document their entire collection, and the only other photo archives of the Mastai flags are privately held.

The stars of the flag are hand-sewn and double-appliqued. The blue wool bunting canton is pieced in two segments and both the canton and wool stripes are pieced by treadle machine. There is a linen sleeve along which appears the Mastai stamp. The stamp also appears on a star. Along the sleeve, in green and blue pen, are notations of size, star count, and inventory number.

The 38th state, Colorado, received its statehood on August 1st, 1876. This was just 28 days after the official Centennial Celebration, which took place on July 4th in Philadelphia. 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 are the two star counts most often seen during the 100-year anniversary of our nation's independence. The 38 star flag became official in 1877 and was generally used until the addition of the Dakotas in 1889.

Mounting: The flag is not currently mounted.

Condition: There is moderate breakdown with some fabric loss at the top and bottom of the hoist end and moderate mothing below the canton. There is very minor mothing throughout. There are a couple of tears along the bottom stripe. There is a patch under the canton on the 5th red stripe. Fabric of similar coloration can be placed behind the flag when it is mounted to mask the loss.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 38
Earliest Date of Origin: 1876
Latest Date of Origin: 1889
State/Affiliation: Colorado
War Association: 1866-1889 Indian Wars
Price: No
 

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