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  44 STARS ARRANGED IN ZIGZAGING OFFSET ROWS ON A SMALL SCALE FLAG WITH PIECED-AND-SEWN CONSTRUCTION, WYOMING STATEHOOD, 1890-1896

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 41" x 68.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 30" x 57.25
Description....:
44 star American national flag, made in the period between 1890 and 1896. The stars are arranged in staggered lineal rows of 8-7-8, followed by 3 zigzagging rows with 7 stars each, which is typical of the 44 star count. Because there was no official star pattern until 1912, the design was left to the whim of the maker. Wyoming joined the Union as the 44th state on July 10th, 1890. The 44 star flag became official on July 4th, 1891, but most flag-makers would have begun adding the 44th star to flags well before this date. The 44 star flag was generally used until Utah joined the Union as the 45th state in 1896.

One of the flag's most attractive features is its small scale among those with of piece-and-sewn construction. Prior to the 1890's, flags with sewn construction needed to be large in order to serve well in their utilitarian function as signals. Lengths of 8-feet and longer were thus common. A six-foot flag was considered small. After 1890, flag-maker's began for the first time to produce sewn flags in quantity that measured three-four feet on the fly. These almost always had 13 stars, however, instead of a count representing the full complement of states at the time. It wasn't until well until the 48-star period (1912-1959) that sewn flags of this scale often bore the full star count. Measuring approximately 5 feet on the fly, this particular flag is unusually small for the 44 star period. Collectors prefer smaller scale examples, like this one, that can be more readily conserved and displayed in modern indoor setting.

Construction: The canton and stripes of the flag are made of wool bunting that has been pieced with machine stitching. The stars are made of cotton and are double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) with a zigzag machine stitch. There is a heavy canvas binding along the hoist with 2 brass grommets.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% natural fabrics for support on every seam and throughout the star field. The flag was then hand-stitched to a background of twill cotton, black in color, which was 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 acrylic.

Condition: There is minor to modest soiling along the hoist binding, accompanied by some small red stains near the top and modest soiling in the stars. There is minor mothing throughout, accompanied by a modest tear with associated loss in the 4th white stripe, adjacent to the canton and a small hole in the last white stripe, adjacent to the hoist binding. Fabric of similar coloration was placed behind the flag during the mounting process. 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: Sewn flag
Star Count: 44
Earliest Date of Origin: 1890
Latest Date of Origin: 1896
State/Affiliation: Wyoming
War Association: 1866-1890 Indian Wars
Price: SOLD
 

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