Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  38 STARS, COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889, A LARGE SCALE PARADE FLAG WITH LARGE STARS AND BOLD COLORATION

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 32.75" x 47"
Flag Size (H x L): 22" x 36.5"
Description....:
38 STARS, COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889, A LARGE SCALE PARADE FLAG WITH LARGE STARS AND BOLD COLORATION:

38 star American national parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. The stars are arranged in justified rows of 7-6-6-6-6-7. This results in a secondary pattern that I commonly call a "box-in-a-box-in-a-box", because of the way in which the seemingly haphazard arrangement creates three consecutive squares. Note how the stars point in various directions on their vertical axis, which adds a nice element of folk quality to the overall design.

Also note how the combination of the large stars and the strong contrast of sunfire red against the blue canton results in a particularly vibrant presentation. The orange overtones in the stripes result from the fact that the red pigment is colored with madder, which has a red-orange hue.

The 38th state, Colorado, received its statehood on August 1st, 1876. This was just 28 days after the official centennial celebration, which took place on July 4th. Although 37 was the official star count in 1876, flag-making was a competitive venture, and no one wanted to be making 37 star flags when others were making 38's. It is for this reason that counts of 38 and 13 (to reference the original 13 colonies) stars are more often seen on flags made in the year of the centennial. Some makers were actually producing 39 star flags, in hopeful anticipation of the addition of another Western Territory. The 38 star flag was generally used until 1889, when four new states joined the Union.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, that 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 black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The glazing is U.V. protective Plexiglas.

Condition: There are minor fabric losses along the hoist end, near the points where the flag was affixed to a wooden staff. There is a scattering of loss in the white stripes along the fly end. There is some dye loss in the canton and elsewhere from wear and minor fading throughout. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use, especially when the flag presents as beautifully as this one does.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 38
Earliest Date of Origin: 1876
Latest Date of Origin: 1889
State/Affiliation: Colorado
War Association: 1866-1890 Indian Wars
Price: SOLD
 

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