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  42 CANTED STARS ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG THAT REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF WASHINGTON STATE, MONTANA, AND THE DAKOTAS, NEVER AN OFFICIAL STAR COUNT, circa 1889-1890

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 26" x 34"
Flag Size (H x L): 15.75" x 24"
Description....:
42 star American parade flag, printed on plain weave cotton. Note how the stars, which are arranged in a rectilinear fashion, in 7 rows of 7, are uniformly oriented on their vertical axis, so that when viewed on the obverse (front), one point is directed in approximately toward 11:00. This is a rather unusual variant among surviving 42 star examples. Also note the attractive, indigo blue color of the flag’s square canton.

The 42 star flag is interesting from a historical perspective, both because 42 was never an official star count, and because 42 star flags were only produced for about 8 months (November, 1889 – July 4th, 1890). The flag represents the addition of the Dakotas, Montana and Washington State, between November 2nd and November 11th, 1889. The 42nd state was officially Washington, but the four states gained statehood only nine days apart, and flag makers added 4 stars, accordingly, to the count of 38 that was official at the time.

After 1818, new star counts became official on the 4th of July each year. A new star was therefore officially added on Independence Day for every state that had been added over the preceding “flag year”. Flag makers, however, did not wait for Independence Day and “official” star counts. Flag making was a competitive industry, and no one wanted to be making 38 star flags, for example, when their competitors were making 42 star flags and there were 42 states. On many occasions, particularly during the last quarter of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th, flag-makers would sometimes speculate the number of states that were going to be added, and actually add stars before the respective states were even in, let alone before the official change to the flag on the following July 4th. It was for this precise reason that 42 was never an official star count. Just one day before 42 would become the new official count, Idaho was admitted gained statehood on July 3rd, 1890, increasing the official count to 43 on the following day. The existence of 42 star flags reflects a classic display of both American capitalism and expansionist ideals for the growth of the nation.

Mounting: For 25 years we have maintained a specialized department for this purpose. Our lead conservator holds a master's degree in textile conservation from one of the nation’s top programs. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples.

The black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed molding is Italian. The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been washed and treated for colorfastness. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Feel free to contact us for more details.

Condition: There is a small vertical tear in the last stripe near the hoist end and there is minor fraying along the lower edge of the stripe. There is very minor foxing and staining. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 42
Earliest Date of Origin: 1889
Latest Date of Origin: 1890
State/Affiliation: Washington
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

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