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38 STAR AMERICAN FLAG RIBBON WITH JUSTIFIED ROWS OF CANTED STARS AND AN ATTRACTIVE, ELONGATED PROFILE, COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889

38 STAR AMERICAN FLAG RIBBON WITH JUSTIFIED ROWS OF CANTED STARS AND AN ATTRACTIVE, ELONGATED PROFILE, COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889

Web ID: 38j-1172
Available: In Stock
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 4.75" x 6.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 1.5" x 3"
 
Description:
38 star, American national flag ribbon, printed on silk. Note how the stars, which are arranged in justified rows of 6-6-7-6-7-6, vary in their vertical position from one row to the next. In the first row, the stars are canted to the right, with one point facing towards 1:00. In the next row they lean to the opposite direction, with one point facing toward 11:00, alternating back-and-forth from one row to the next throughout the formation. I have termed this configuration "dancing rows," though it may also accurately be referred to as tilting or canted rows. Also note the flag’s elongated profile, which is visually intriguing. There was no official star pattern for the Stars & Stripes until 1912, and no official proportions.

These scarce ribbons were used on military medals, political and fraternal items in the 1876-1890 period, or could be simply worn on a lapel with a stick pin.

Colorado entered the Union as the 38th state August 1st, 1876. This was the year of our nation’s 100-year anniversary of independence, which earned it the nickname of “The Centennial State”. Although 37 was the official star count for the American flag 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 International Exposition, the six-month long, World’s Fair, held in Philadelphia in honor of the event. The 38 star flag became official on July 4th, 1877, and was generally used until the addition of the Dakotas in 1889.

Mounting: Hand-stitched to 100% hemp fabric, ivory in color. The mount was placed in a silver gilt molding with gold overtones, embossed, floriated scrollwork, and a distressed surface, to which a rippled profile molding, black with silver highlights, was added as a liner. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass.
Video:
   
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type:
Star Count: 38
Earliest Date of Origin: 1876
Latest Date of Origin: 1889
State/Affiliation: Colorado
War Association:
Price: Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281
E-mail: info@jeffbridgman.com


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