Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
Sold Flags



  45 STARS IN ZIGZAGING OFFSET ROWS, AN UNUSUAL CONFIGURATION ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH EXCEPTIONAL COLOR, UTAH STATEHOOD, 1896-1908, SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR ERA

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 20.25" x 27.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 11.25" x 18"
Description....:
45 STARS IN ZIGZAGING OFFSET ROWS, AN UNUSUAL CONFIGURATION ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH EXCEPTIONAL COLOR, UTAH STATEHOOD, 1896-1908, SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR ERA:

45 star American national parade flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. The stars are arranged in what I call zigzagging offset rows of 8-7-8-7-7-8. This is a visually interesting as well as unusual configuration for the 45 star count. While the star pattern was left to the whims of the maker until 1912, most manufacturers of 45 star flags selected staggered rows of 8-7-8-7-8, presumably because it was more geometrically balanced and because it did not seem logical to try to place two rows of 7 stars together. It is likewise peculiar how the designer did not line the last row of 8 stars up with the two other rows of 8. So instead the last three rows of 7-7-8 are arranged so that they cant to the right.

Perhaps the most attractive feature of this particular flag is not its star configuration, however, but the striking royal blue and scarlet red colors, which contrast beautifully with the ivory white of its stripes and stars. It is also nice how the blue of the canton extends into the hoist area. This can be seen on some parade flags of this general era, but it's an unusual occurrence and always raise the bar a notch on the visual scale.

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 twill, 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 in a dark brown frame that is almost black, with reddish highlights, to which a liner was added that is made of wood but has a finish like rusted gun metal. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass.

Condition: There is minor oxidation and minor fading. The flag displays beautifully and 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: 1908
State/Affiliation: Utah
War Association: 1898 Spanish American War
Price: SOLD
 

Views: 3091