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  38 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A "SUMMER SKY" MEDALLION, A RARE EXAMPLE, COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 13.5" x 18.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 6.5" x 10.75"
Description....:
38 STARS IN A "SUMMER SKY" MEDALLION, A RARE EXAMPLE, COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889:

38 star American national parade flag, printed on coarse cotton. The stars are arranged in a triple-wreath form of the medallion configuration, with a large, flanking star in each corner of the blue canton and an even larger star in the very center. This particular variety has sometimes been termed a "summer sky" medallion, due to the fact that the design spans most of the available space in the canton and is reminiscent of a clear summer night, filled with stars. In addition to being beautiful, this is a very scarce example among surviving 38 star parade flags.

Colorado became the 38th state on August 1st, 1876. This was the year of our nation's centennial of independence from Great Britain. 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 event, held in Philadelphia in honor of the anniversary. The 38 star flag became official in 1877 and was generally used until the addition of the Dakotas in 1889.

Mounting: The solid walnut frame has a gilded liner and dates to the period between 1870 and 1890. The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton twill, black in color, which has been washed to reduce excess dye. And acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass.

Condition: There is minor misprinting. There is minor foxing and staining throughout and there is a minor tear at the fly end of the 5th white stripe. 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: 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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