| 44 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH ENDEARING WEAR FROM LONG TERM USE AND WITH ITS STARS ARRANGED IN A NOTCHED PATTERN THAT LEAVES 4 SPACES OPEN FOR THE REMAINING WESTERN TERRITORIES, REFLECTS THE PERIOD WHEN WYOMING WAS THE MOST RECENT STATE TO JOIN THE UNION, 1890-1896 |
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| Web ID: | 44j-922 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 37" x 51.5" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 25.75" x 40.25" |
| Description: | |
| 44 star American parade flag, printed on plain weave cotton, with beautifully faded colors, great patina, and with lots of attractively endearing wear from obvious use, with long term exposure to the elements. Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10th, 1890. Even though the 44 star flag was not official until July 4th, 1891, most flag-makers would have begun to add a 44th star to their flags as soon as Wyoming declared statehood, or perhaps even before the state was actually added, in hopeful anticipation. Because flag-making was a competitive venture, flag-makers did not want to be producing 43 star flags, for example, when their competitors were selling 44’s. Evidence of the eagerness for new states is particular notable in the “notched” star arrangement on this flag, which leaves 4 open spaces for the addition of Utah, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona. Earlier in the 19th century, the complement of territories, their names, borders, and potential for statehood were less certain. After the Dakota Territory entered as two separate states in 1889, the remainder of the path was easier to predict. For this reason, one will find 45 star flags with 3 notches for additional states, and 46 star flags with 2 notches, preceding the future count of 48 that was achieved in 1912. Notched patterns appear in earlier flags, as well, but not with the correct number of spaces to reach a sum of 48 states in the continental union. According to the Third Flag Act, enacted by Congress on April 4, 1818, stars were to be added on Independence Day following a state's addition. Flag makers didn't generally care what was official, however, so while the 44 star count remained official until July 3rd, 1896, it would have generally fallen from use when Utah gained statehood in January of that year. Mounting: For 25 years we have maintained a specialized department for this purpose. Our lead conservator holds a master's degree in textile conservation from one of the nation’s top programs. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples. The flag has been hand-stitched to its background, which is 100% cotton twill, black in color, that was washed and treated for colorfastness. The black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed molding is Italian. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Feel free to contact us for more details. Condition: [Full report to follow]. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts |
| Flag Type: | Parade flag |
| Star Count: | 44 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1890 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1896 |
| State/Affiliation: | Wyoming |
| War Association: | |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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