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  38 STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION WITH 2 OUTLIERS, COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889, A LARGE EXAMPLE WITH ENDEARING WEAR FROM EXTENDED USE

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 33.75" x 45"
Flag Size (H x L): 22" x 33.25"
Description....:
38 STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION WITH 2 OUTLIERS, COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889, A LARGE EXAMPLE WITH ENDEARING WEAR FROM EXTENDED USE:

38 star American parade flag, block-printed by hand on coarse, glazed cotton, with endearing wear from extended use. The stars are arranged in a triple-wreath form of the medallion configuration, with a single center star and two stars flanking outside the basic pattern toward the fly end. Typically there are 4 flanking stars outside this type of pattern, one in each corner. The inclusion of only two was done intentionally to leave room for the easy addition of two more states. Flag-makers felt that more Western Territories were soon to be added to the Union and eagerly anticipated their arrival.

Note how the blue canton contrasts pleasantly with the orange stripes. Many cotton parade flags produced between 1850 and the 38 star period have shades of red that lean strongly toward orange.

Also known as hand-wavers, most cotton parade flags were made for one day's use at patriotic events. This one shows clear signs of long-term exposure to the elements and the presentation is interesting because of it. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.

Colorado became the 38th state on August 1st, 1876. This was the year of our nation’s 100-year anniversary of independence. Per the Third Flag Act of 1818, stars were not officially added until the 4th of July following a state's addition. For this reason, 37 was the official star count for the American flag in 1876. Flag-making was a competitive venture, however, and few flag-makers would have been continuing to produce 37 star flags when their competitors were making 38’s. It is for this reason that 38 and 13 stars (to represent the original 13 colonies) are more often seen at the Centennial International Exposition, the six-month long World’s Fair held in Philadelphia in honor of the event. Some flag-makers would have been adding a star for the 38th state even before it entered the Union, in the early part of 1876 or even prior. In fact, many makers of parade flags were actually producing 39 star flags, in hopeful anticipation of the addition of two more Western Territories instead of one. But the 39th state would not join the Union for another 13 years, when the Dakota Territory entered as two states on the same day. The 38 star flag became official on July 4th, 1877 and was generally used until the addition of the Dakotas in 1889.

President Ulysses S. Grant was in office when the first 38 star flags would have appeared. The list of presidents serving during the period when the 38 star flag was actually official include Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield, Chester Arthur, Grover Cleveland, and Benjamin Harrison.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched 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. The mount was then placed in a three-part combination of moldings. The outer two have a very dark brown finish that is almost black, with subtle red highlights. These surround a gilded and distressed liner with a black inner lip. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: There is extensive pigment loss throughout, accompanied by moderate to significant foxing and soiling. There is a series of holes with associated rust stains and losses along the hoist end, where metal tacks once affixed the flag to a wooden staff. There is minor fabric loss around the remainder of the perimeter and there are a few very minor holes in the body of the flag.
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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