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  38 STAR AMERICAN FLAG NEEDLEWORK PENWIPE, 1876-1889, COLORADO STATEHOOD

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 9" x 10.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 3.25" x 4.5"
Description....:
38 STAR AMERICAN FLAG NEEDLEWORK PENWIPE, 1876-1889, COLORADO STATEHOOD:

38 star American national flag penwipe, executed in needlepoint from wool yarn, with crimp-cut, felt pages behind that are bound with hand-stitching. Note how the light blue canton and burgundy stripes provide great contrast and visual appeal.

Note how the canton rests on a red stripe. Some flag historians refer to this as the "blood stripe" or the "war stripe", suggesting the flag was sometimes constructed in this manner when the nation was at war. There is evidence that the U.S. Navy used this design feature on at least some of its flags made during the mid-19th century, and sometimes the placement was merely by accident, which was probably the case here. Scarce in any period, the trait is very interesting to flag collectors and enthusiasts.

Penwipes were used to clean the tip of a dip pen during use, but decorative examples, like this one, probably seldom saw ink. They were produced as whimsys, for gift-giving purposes, and became treasured keepsakes. The design lent itself well to use for the safe keeping of needles and pins as well and this example was found being utilized for that purpose.

Colorado became the 38th state on August 1st, 1876. This was just 28 days after the official centennial celebration, which took place on July 4th. 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 counts of 38 and 13 (to reference the original 13 colonies) stars are more often seen on flags made in the year of the centennial. Some makers were actually producing 39 star flags, in hopeful anticipation of the addition of another Western Territory. The 38 star flag was generally used until 1889, when four new states joined the Union.

Mounting: The gilded molding dates to the period between 1840 and 1870. This was set within a veneered mahogany molding of the 1830-1850 period. The textile has been hand-stitched to 100% hemp fabric. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass.

Condition: There is minor foxing and minor fading, but there are no serious condition issues. 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: Sewn flag
Star Count: 38
Earliest Date of Origin: 1876
Latest Date of Origin: 1889
State/Affiliation: Colorado
War Association: 1866-1890 Indian Wars
Price: SOLD
 

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