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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): 27.75" x 34.75"
Flag Size (H x L): 17.5" x 24"
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.

Presidents who served during this period were Democrat Grover Cleveland, in his second, non-consecutive term, the two terms of Republican William McKinley, the second of which was cut short by his assassination (shot 09/06/1901, passed 09/14/1901), and the two terms of Theodore Roosevelt, the first of these attained by ascension.

Mounting: For more than 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 university programs. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples.

The solid walnut molding dates to the period between 1870 and 1890 and retains its original gilded liner. The background is 100% cotton, black in color, that has been washed and treated for colorfastness. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Feel free to contact us for more details.

Condition: There is extremely minor bleeding, but there are no significant condition issues.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 45
Earliest Date of Origin: 1896
Latest Date of Origin: 1908
State/Affiliation: Utah
War Association: 1898 Spanish American War
Price: SOLD
 

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