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  48 STAR AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH A BOLD CIVIL WAR VETERAN'S OVERPRINT, A 1908 DATE, A CORNFLOWER BLUE CANTON, AND A STAGGERED ROW CONFIGURATION, MADE 4 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ADDITION OF THE 48TH STATE

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 18.25" x 25.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 10.75" x 17.75"
Description....:
48 STAR AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH A BOLD CIVIL WAR VETERAN'S OVERPRINT, A 1908 DATE, A CORNFLOWER BLUE CANTON, AND A STAGGERED ROW CONFIGURATION, MADE 4 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ADDITION OF THE 48TH STATE:

48 Star American Parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton, with a staggered row configuration of stars on a cornflower blue canton. The acronym "G.A.R." is boldly overprinted in black in the stripe field with fancy, stylized letters, below which, in an interesting, elongated typeset, is the date "1908."

The G.A.R., or Grand Army of the Republic, was the primary association for Civil War veterans of the Union Army. Founded in 1866, it was similar to today’s American Legion or V.F.W., but more fraternal in nature. Printing of this nature on the stars and stripes technically became illegal in 1905, yet continued on veteran’s reunion flags until later, generally disappearing after the 19-teens. The practice of overprinting or writing on parade flags seems to have become less favorable after WWI. It is seldom encountered in examples of the 1920’s, is even more rare in the 1930’s, and by WWII had virtually ceased.

The 48 star flag became official in 1912 following the addition of New Mexico and Arizona. It remained the official flag throughout WWI, WWII, and the Korean War (1950-53), until Alaska gained statehood in 1959 and the 49th star was added.

In the same year that the count of 48 stars became official, President Taft passed an executive order that dictated, for the first time, an official design for the star configuration for American flags produced for the Department of the Government. This consisted of 6 rows of 8 stars, perfectly lined up, with all stars pointing upward (one point skyward) and having a specified shape (5-pointed). Before 1912, 48 star flags were sometimes produced in anticipation of the future addition of New Mexico and Arizona. These flags typically have 6 staggered rows of 8 stars, like the example in question here, with all stars having 5 point and all oriented with one point up. I have seen legitimate, dated examples in this star count as early as 1896, 16 years before the addition of the 48th state. After 1912, between that year and WWI (U.S. involvement 1917-18), the same, unofficial, staggered row arrangement can often be encountered, but after this period it fades into history and most all flag-makers adopted the official, rectilinear, 6x8 arrangement.

Due to the striking overprint, the pre-1912 date, the attractive shade of blue, the staggered row pattern of stars and the overall presentation, this is a very nice example.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which has been washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. The mount was then placed in a modern frame that has a cove shaped profile and a finish that is very dark brown, nearly black, with red with a red undertone and highlights. To this a flat liner was added that has a finish like antique gunmetal. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass.

Condition: There is minor oxidation and there are minor tack holes in the white area along the hoist, where the flag was one affixed to its original wooden staff. There is minor fading throughout, accompanied by a couple of pinprick-sized holes and a small stain in the upper, hoist-end corner of the canton.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 48
Earliest Date of Origin: 1908
Latest Date of Origin: 1908
State/Affiliation: Arizona
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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