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  ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH 45 UPSIDE-DOWN STARS, 1896-1908, UTAH STATEHOOD, SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR ERA

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 34" x 45.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 24.25" x 35.5"
Description....:
45 star American national parade flag, printed on plain weave cotton. Note how the stars, which are arranged in staggered rows, are upside-down in their vertical alignment throughout the field. This is a scarce trait. No one knows if this positioning had any purpose, but there were no regulations concerning either star configuration or position until 1912 and it is entirely possible that the designer of the flag did not feel that any star position was “right-side-up”. Whatever the case may be, the circumstance is more interesting to collectors, because the resulting graphics are more unusual to the eye.

The size is particularly large among American parade flags and there is wear and some water staining from extended use. The flag shows its age nicely and presents well.

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 was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by masters degree trained staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples; more than anyone worldwide.

The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color. The black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed molding is Italian. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass. Feel free to contact us for more details.

Condition: There is minor foxing and staining throughout, accompanied by a moderate stain between the 12 and 13th stripes, near the hoist end. There are some minor holes along the top edge of the flag, where it was obviously tacked to a wall, accompanied by a couple of tiny holes near the center of the 4th red stripe. 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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