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  EX-MASTAI COLLECTION, 45 HAND-SEWN STARS, 13' 4" LENGTH, 1896-1907

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L):
Flag Size (H x L): 101" x 160"
Description....:
EX-MASTAI COLLECTION, 45 HAND-SEWN STARS, 13' 4" LENGTH, 1896-1907:

45 Star American National flag in a very large size (over 13 feet) with an open canvas sleeve and a rope hoist. The intended purpose was probably to fly on the mast of a large ship, a garrison, or a large building, but it certainly saw little use as the condition is extraordinary for a flag of this size and period. Another unusual feature lies in the hand-sewn. Starting around 1896, most all flags of sewn construction had stars applied with a machine stitch. 45 star flags with hand-sewn stars probably comprise about one out of twenty. In addition, note how some of the stars point in various directions, which adds an interesting visual feature.

Along the hoist several things were written by its former owner, Boleslaw Mastai. Present are his classic stamp of ownership, which he used to mark most every flag in his collection. There also is a small tag with an embroidered letter "G" in old English script. Though it could stand for "garrison" (an indication of the flag's large size), the marking probably denotes the first initial of the flag's former owner.

The Mastai's held the most highly publicized and one of the most important collections of American flags in the country. Many of the flags in their collection were marked with a Mastai identification stamp and then numbered in pen or pencil.

The 45th state, Utah, joined the Union on January 4th, 1896. The 45 star flag was official from July 4th, 1896 - July 3rd, 1908. This time period saw the coming and passing of the Spanish-American War (1898), which was a time of greatly heightened patriotism, sometimes forgotten in present day America.

Mounting: This flag is not currently mounted.

Condition: There are two small holes in the canton and there is minor fraying at the fly end at both the top and bottom corners, but this far less than is usually seen, especially on a flag of this size, and the overall condition is nothing short of extraordinary.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
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: No
 

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