| 45 UPSIDE-DOWN STARS ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG MADE IN THE ERA OF THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR (1898), WHEN UTAH WAS THE MOST RECENT STATE TO JOIN THE UNION, circa 1896-1908 |
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| Web ID: | 45j-1011 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 34.25" x 44.75" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 24.5" x 35" |
| Description: | |
| 45 star American national parade flag, printed on plain weave cotton. Note how the stars, which are arranged in staggered rows, are upside-down in their vertical alignment throughout the field. This is a scarce trait. No one knows if this positioning had any purpose, but there were no regulations concerning either star configuration or position until 1912 and it is entirely possible that the designer of the flag did not feel that any star position was “right-side-up”. Whatever the case may be, the circumstance is more interesting to collectors, because the resulting graphics are more unusual to the eye. The size is particularly large among American parade flags and there is wear and some water staining from extended use. The flag shows its age nicely and presents well. Utah became the 45th state on January 4th, 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. Although this technically remained the official star count until July 3rd, 1908, 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. The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been washed and treated for colorfastness. The mount was placed in a shadowbox depth molding with a step-down profile molding and a finish that is a very dark brown in color, nearly black, with reddish highlights and undertones, to which a black-painted and hand-gilded Italian molding was added as a liner. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Feel free to contact us for further details. Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which has been 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 black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic. Condition: There are two small tears along the top edge of the 1st red stripe, with minor fabric loss, accompanied by a series of small holes all the way across, with extremely minimal loss, likely from the flag having once been tacked up for patriotic display. There is a similar hole along the top edge of the last white stripe, near the hoist end. There is minor to modest water staining, other staining and soiling throughout the white portion of the fabric. There are grey streaks of staining in the 9th-12th stripes, the most significant of which are primarily located in the 10th stripe, below the canton, and between the 11th and 12th stripes, just past the center of the flag. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use. |
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| Video: | |
| 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: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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