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  38 STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION WITH 2 OUTLIERS AND VIBRANT COLORATION, COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889, FORMERLY IN THE COLLECTION OF RICHARD PIERCE AND PICTURED IN HIS TEXT ON FLAG COLLECTING

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 23.5" x 18"
Flag Size (H x L): 18.75" x 14"
Description....:
38 STARS IN A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION WITH 2 OUTLIERS AND VIBRANT COLORATION, COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889, FORMERLY IN THE COLLECTION OF RICHARD PIERCE AND PICTURED IN HIS TEXT ON FLAG COLLECTING:

38 star American parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. The stars are arranged in a triple-wreath form of the medallion configuration, with a single center star and two stars flanking outside the basic pattern toward the fly end. Typically there are 4 flanking stars outside this type of pattern, one in each corner. The inclusion of only two was done intentionally to leave room for the easy addition of two more states. Flag-makers felt that more Western Territories were soon to be added to the Union and eagerly anticipated their arrival.

Note how the striking chrome orange color of the stripes provides strong contrast with the blue canton and contributes to the flag's vibrant presentation. Many cotton parade flags produced between 1850 and the 38 star period have shades of red that lean strongly toward orange.

Colorado became the 38th state on August 1st, 1876. This was the year of our nation’s centennial of independence from Great Britain. Although 37 was the official star count for the American flag 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 38 and 13 stars (to represent the original 13 colonies) are the two star counts most often seen at the Centennial International Exposition, the six-month long, World’s Fair event, held in honor of the anniversary, in Philadelphia. Some flag-makers were actually producing 39 star flags, in hopeful anticipation of the addition of another Western Territory. The 38 star flag became official on July 4th, 1877 and was generally used until the addition of the Dakotas in 1889.

This exact flag was formerly in the collection of Richard Pierce and is pictured on page 27 of his text "The Stars & The Stripes: Fabric of the American Spirit" (published by Richard Pierce, 2005). For many years the Pierce collection has been the foremost assemblage of American parade flags.

Mounting: The solid walnut molding dates to the period between 1870 and 1890, has dark, original surface and a gilded liner. The flag has been hand-sewn to a background of 100% hemp fabric. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: There is minor foxing and staining throughout and there is very minor pigment loss in the canton. There are very minor tears where the flag was affixed to its original wooden staff. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and evidence of use.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
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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