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  38 LARGE STARS WITH SCATTERED POSITIONING ON A LARGE SCALE PARADE FLAG, COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 37.5" x 28.75"
Flag Size (H x L): 26.75" x 18"
Description....:
38 LARGE STARS WITH SCATTERED POSITIONING ON A LARGE SCALE PARADE FLAG, COLORADO STATEHOOD, 1876-1889:

38 star American national parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. Note how the stars are arranged in justified rows of 7-6-6-6-6-7 and are oriented in a variety of positions on their vertical axis. The combination of different numbers of stars in the rows and differing positions results in a lot of visual movement, lending a nice folk quality to the overall design. The fact that the stars are quite large with respect to the amount of space they fill also contributes to the presentation, as does the contrast of the chrome orange stripes against the white and indigo blue.

Colorado became the 38th state 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 losses in the white area along the stripe section of the hoist and within the last 2/5 of the white stripes, plus scattered losses elsewhere. Fabric of similar coloration was placed behind these areas for masking purposes. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
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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