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  38 STAR FLAG WITH ESPECIALLY LARGE STARS AND INTERTWINED ARMS, AN ANTIQUE EXAMPLE REFLECTING COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 20.75" x 16"
Flag Size (H x L): 13.75" x 8.5"
Description....:
38 star American national parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. The stars are arranged in justified rows of 7-6-6-6-6-7. This results in a secondary pattern that I commonly call a "box-in-a-box-in-a-box", because of the way in which the seemingly haphazard arrangement creates three consecutive squares. Note how the stars of the flag point in various directions on their vertical axis. Also note how they are crammed together, with arms intertwined, in order that they may fit within the confines of the Navy blue canton.

The pigment used to print the stripes is colored with madder. Madder has a red-orange hue, which is why the shade of red leans strongly toward orange.

The 38th state, Colorado, received its statehood 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 great early surface and a gilded liner and dates to the period between 1860 and 1870. The flag has been placed in its correct vertical position, with the canton in the upper left. It has been hand-sewn to a background of 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. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass.

Condition: There is minor foxing and staining and moderate fading of the orange stripes. There is a moderate lateral split at the top of the canton, along the hoist end, with associated fabric loss. There are minor to moderate holes in the stripe field. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
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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