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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, EX-RICHARD PIERCE COLLECTION

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 28.25" x 34.25
Flag Size (H x L): 17.75" x 23.5"
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.

This example was formerly in the collection of Richard Pierce, the leading collector of printed flags. I believe that I sold this to him originally, many years ago.

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 fabric is black cotton twill. The black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed molding is Italian. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass. Feel free to contact us for more details.

Condition: There is very minor foxing in the stripes and there is a minor area in the 4th white stripe where there was a pull in the fabric, 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: 1907
State/Affiliation: Utah
War Association: 1898 Spanish American War
Price: SOLD
 

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