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  38 STARS IN A NOTCHED CONFIGURATION, ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN, MADE BY WILLIAM J. POWELL IN NEW YORK CITY BETWEEN 1881 AND 1885, (COLORADO STATEHOOD)

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L):
Flag Size (H x L): 54" x 92"
Description....:
38 STARS IN A NOTCHED CONFIGURATION, ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN, MADE BY WILLIAM J. POWELL IN NEW YORK CITY BETWEEN 1881 AND 1885, (COLORADO STATEHOOD):

38 star American National flag, made by William J. Powell in New York. Listed at 153 South Street as a sailmaker in 1859, Powell was already advertising his services as a flag-maker in 1860. By 1881 he had moved to 151 South, then to 167 Maiden Lane in 1885, where he remained until at least 1892. According to the maker's mark, which appears in the form of a black stencil on the gusset, sewn at the hoist-end of the bottom red stripe, this particular flag was made while Powell was at 151 South. This helps narrow the date of manufacture to the four-year period between 1881 and 1885. The stencil reads: "From Wm. J. Powell's U.S. Flag Depot 151 South St. New York". The presence of the maker's mark is extraordinary because it is so elaborate and I have never seen one done in this particular fashion.

The stars of the flag are arranged in what is known as a "notched" configuration, whereby two spaces were left open along the hoist end, in anticipation of the addition of two more Western Territories. This design made it easier for either the buyer or the seller to add more stars as needed, without having to redesign the entire field.

The 38th state, Colorado, received its statehood on August 1st, 1876. This was the year of our nation's 100-year anniversary of independence. 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 in 1877 and was generally used until the addition of the Dakotas in 1889.

Construction: The stars of the flag are made of cotton, hand-sewn, and double-appliqued (applied to both sides of the flag). The canton and stripes of the flag are made of wool bunting that has been pieced with treadle stitching. This construction is characteristic of the period and typical of most flags made for outdoor use. A sailcloth canvas sleeve was hand-sewn to the hoist, through which a hemp rope, with loops at the top and bottom, has been treaded and hamd-stitched into place. A stencil at the top of the sleeve reads "5 * 8", which indicates the measurements of the flag in feet. Adjacent to the 5th red stripe, a small cloth patch was stitched, embroided with a red letter "H". This likely represents the first initial of the surname of a former owner.

Mounting: The flag has not yet been mounted or framed. We have a full-time conservation business and can undertake this task, if desired. Fabric of similar coloration can be placed behind the flag during the mounting process, which will make the losses effectively disappear.

Condition: There is minor mothing throughout, accompanied by a moderate tear near the fly end of the 3rd white stripe and two areas with minor mothing at the end of the 4th and last red stripes, respectively. There is a small round, golden brown linen patch near the top, fly end of the canton, and two gussted, patch repairs at the fly end of the top and bottom stripes. The gussets at the top and bottom of the hoist are original to the flag's making. 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: 1881
Latest Date of Origin: 1885
State/Affiliation: New York
War Association: 1866-1890 Indian Wars
Price: SOLD
 

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