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  45 STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION, A RARE FEATURE IN THIS PERIOD, 1896-1908, UTAH STATEHOOD

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 34.75" x 28.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 17.5" x 24"
Description....:
45 STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION, A RARE FEATURE IN THIS PERIOD, 1896-1908, UTAH STATEHOOD:

45 star American parade flag, printed on cotton bunting, with a beautiful, triple-wreath style medallion configuration of stars. This highly desired star design is seen primarily in flags made between the Civil War (1861-65) and the nation’s centennial of independence from Great Britain in 1876. Medallion star patterns are rare, however, in flags with greater than 38 stars (post 1889), and that is one reason why this particular example is keenly admired by collectors.

Note how the stars in this example are large and abnormally fat, taking up most of the canton. Each star is tilted on its vertical axis so as to fit into the neighboring stars. In addition, the proportions of the flag are rather square. All of these traits add to this flag’s tremendous folk appeal.

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.

Mounting: The flag has been placed in its correct vertical position, with the canton in the upper left. It was then hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which was washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye, which was heat-treated for the same purpose. The mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass.

Condition: There is a small hole in the canton along the hoist edge, at a point where the flag was once affixed to its original wooden staff. There tiny tack holes at the hoist end of the 4th white stripe and the last red stripe for the same reason. There is minor moderate foxing throughout, accompanied my minor staining. There is minor to moderate fading throughout. There is a modest irregularity in the weave of the fabric that displays vertically through the stripe field in the center of the flag (when the flag is horizontal). 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: Parade flag
Star Count: 45
Earliest Date of Origin: 1896
Latest Date of Origin: 1907
State/Affiliation: Utah
War Association: 1898 Spanish American War
Price: SOLD
 

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