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  45 STARS IN DANCING ROWS ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A BEAUTIFUL, COBALT BLUE CANTON, AN UNUSUAL VARIANT, 1896-1908, SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR ERA, UTAH STATEHOOD

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 26.5" x 35.75"
Flag Size (H x L): 17.5" x 26.5"
Description....:
45 star American national parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. The stars are arranged in linear rows of 8-7-7-8-7-8, which is unusual for this star count. There was no official star pattern until 1912, and before this time, anything was possible.

Note the beautiful, cobalt blue color of the canton, which contrasts beautifully with the red stripes.

Note also how the vertical alignment of the stars varies from row-to-row. In the first, they are all oriented so that one point is facing upward. In the next, each is canted, so that one point is directed toward the 1:00 position, switching back so that one point leans toward 11:00 on each star in the third row. This series of positions is then repeated in the next three rows. I have termed this manner of alternating alignment "dancing rows," and find that it adds a nice visual effect to the flag’s design.

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 has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, that has been washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye, which 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 modest foxing and staining throughout, but the flag presents beautifully because of it. 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: 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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