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  45 HAND-EMBROIDERED STARS ON A LIGHT BLUE CANTON, 1896-1907

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L):
Flag Size (H x L): 32.5" x 53.25"
Description....:
45 HAND-EMBROIDERED STARS ON A LIGHT BLUE CANTON, 1896-1907:

45 Star flag, made in the period between 1896 and 1907. The wonderful, hand-embroidered stars are very unusual in this period, when almost all flag were produced by machine. These are arranged in staggered rows on a canton that has attractively faded to a shade of light blue that is not unlike washed denim. Their crude, homemade irregularities are especially endearing.

Utah became the 45th state in 1896. It had been attempting to gain statehood for many years, but remained a territory, primarily due to the fact that the Mormon Church and Utah authorities continued to be openly tolerant of polygamy. In 1890, Mormon Church President Wilford Woodruff published a manifesto that denounced the contract of "any marriages forbidden by the law of the land". This gave way to Utah's 1896 acceptance. The 45 star flag was generally used from that year until 1907, when Oklahoma joined the Union. Due to the Spanish-American War (1898) and Teddy Roosevelt's famous world tour of the "White Fleet" (launched in 1907), this was an extremely patriotic period.

Construction: The canton and stripes of the flag are made of cotton bunting that has been pieced by machine. The stars are hand-embroidered with silk floss. There is a cotton binding along the hoist.

Mounting: the flag has not yet been mounted.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 45
Earliest Date of Origin: 1896
Latest Date of Origin: 1907
State/Affiliation: Utah
War Association: 1898 Spanish American War
Price: Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281
 

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