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  45 STARS, SILK, A SCARCE VARIETY WITH TINY NOTCHES BETWEEN EACH ARM, 1896-1907

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 23.25" x 30.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 15.5" x 22.25"
Description....:
45 STARS, SILK, A SCARCE VARIETY WITH TINY NOTCHES BETWEEN EACH ARM, 1896-1907:

45 star American National parade flag, printed on silk. The stars are arranged in staggered rows of 7-8-7-8-7-8. Note the slightly unusual stars, which have tiny notches in the valley between each arm. Silk parade flags exist in other star counts that share this same feature, including 38, 39, and 44 star varieties, all of which were likely produced by the same maker (the name of which remains unknown).

This is a somewhat unusual example and I have owned only a couple of others in this exact style, which, like many silk parade flags, exhibits strong color.

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 solid oak frame dates to the period between 1890 and 1920. This is a sandwich mount between 100% cotton velvet and U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: There are several minor splits in the silk fabric, accompanied by a significant split that runs vertically almost top to bottom, about two thirds of the way to the fly end. There is also moderate foxing throughout. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
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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