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  45 STARS ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH A MEDALLION CONFIGURATION A RARE FEATURE IN THIS PERIOD, 1896-1908, UTAH STATEHOOD

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 28.25" x 35"
Flag Size (H x L): 17.75" x 24.5"
Description....:
45 star American parade flag, printed on cotton bunting, with a beautiful, triple-wreath style medallion configuration of stars. This highly desired star design is seen primarily in flags made between the Civil War (1861-65) and the nation’s centennial of independence from Great Britain in 1876. Medallion star patterns are rare, however, in flags with greater than 38 stars (post 1889), and that is one reason why this particular example is keenly admired by collectors.

Note how the stars in this example are large and abnormally fat, taking up most of the canton. Each star is tilted on its vertical axis so as to fit into the neighboring stars. In addition, the proportions of the flag are rather square. All of these traits add to this flag’s tremendous folk appeal.

Utah became the 45th state in 1896. It had been attempting to gain statehood for many years, but remained a territory, primarily due to the fact that the Mormon Church and Utah authorities continued to be openly tolerant of polygamy. In 1890, Mormon Church President Wilford Woodruff published a manifesto that denounced the contract of “any marriages forbidden by the law of the land”. This gave way to Utah’s 1896 acceptance. The 45 star flag was generally used from that year until 1907, when Oklahoma joined the Union. Due to the Spanish-American War (1898) and Teddy Roosevelt’s famous world tour of the “White Fleet” (launched in 1907), this was an extremely patriotic period.

Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by masters degree trained staff. We take great care in the mounting and presentation of flags and have preserved thousands of examples.

The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color. The mount was placed in a cove shaped molding that is a very dark brown, almost black in color, with reddish overtones and highlights, to which a flat profile molding with a finish like gunmetal was added as a liner. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass. Feel free to contact us for more details.

Condition: There is minor foxing and staining. There is a minor nick along the top of the canton near the hoist end and there is a small vertical tear with associated loss, between the 4th and 5th stripes, near the fly end. 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: 45
Earliest Date of Origin: 1896
Latest Date of Origin: 1907
State/Affiliation: Utah
War Association: 1898 Spanish American War
Price: SOLD
 

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