Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
Sold Flags



  46 STARS ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG OF ESPECIALLY HIGH QUALITY, WITH ORIGINAL REINFORCEMENTS AND HEAVY D-RINGS ON THE HOIST BINDING, 1907-1912, OKLAHOMA STATEHOOD

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 70" x 105"
Flag Size (H x L): 58" x 93"
Description....:
46 star antique American flag with especially nice construction and some unusual features. Oklahoma joined the Union as the 46th state on November 16th, 1907, during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency. Roosevelt had many friends in the Oklahoma Territory from his Rough Rider days, and pushed it through to statehood. The 46 star flag became official on July 4th, 1908 and remained so until July 3rd, 1912. Many 46 star flags were made earlier, however, in great anticipation of the future addition of the state, which had previously been appointed to Native Americans.

The canton and the red stripes of the flag are made of wool bunting, while the white stripe appear to be made of cotton, woven in a similar manner and possibly with some wool content. These have been pieced by machine. Triangular gussets, made of the same wool bunting, are present at the top and bottom of the hoist end for reinforcement. These are original to the flag's construction. The stars are made of cotton and double-appliquéd (sewn to both sides) with lineal machine stitching. After the zigzag stitch came into use in the early 1890's, it soon became the industry standard for the application of stars. Flags with stars that are sewn with a lineal stitch are scarce in the 46-star period.

The stars are configured in staggered rows of 8-7-8-7-8-8, which would be typical of this star count, save for the fact that the last two rows are staggered. This is unusual. The 2 rows of 8 that must appear in a distribution of rows with counts of 7 and 8 stars on a 46 star flag necessitates there being 2 rows of 8 together. Flag-makers usually justify these two rows so that there are 2 rows of 8 aligned with one-another at the top (seldom seen), in the middle, or at the bottom. Here they are deceptive to the average student of flags, because it gives the flag the basic appearance of the average 45-star example, which has staggered rows all the way down.

There is a sailcloth canvas binding along the hoist with reinforced tabs at the top and bottom, into which white metal D-rings and grommets were inserted. Black-inked stamps on the reverse read "5x8" to indicate size in feet. During the 19th century, flags with sewn construction needed to be large in order to serve well in their utilitarian function. Flags with lengths of 8-feet and longer on the fly, such as this example, are expected.

The words "Double Warp" also appear to indicate the grade/weave of bunting used in its construction. These are set inside the triangular profile of a pennant, which is no-doubt peculiar to the maker of the flag, the name of which remains unknown. Like most flags made in this period and prior, it is unsigned. The D-rings are especially unusual and add a nice visual quality. The flag is of a particularly high grade and well-made.

Mounting: The flag has not yet been mounted. We employ professional staff with experts in textile conservation and can attend to all of your mounting and framing needs.

Condition: Exceptional for a wool flag of this period, with only extremely minor foxing and staining.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 46
Earliest Date of Origin: 1908
Latest Date of Origin: 1912
State/Affiliation: Oklahoma
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

Views: 858