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  RARE INDIAN WARS PERIOD UNION INFANTRY BATTLE FLAG WITH 40 STARS IN A NOTCHED CONFIGURATION AND WITH A CANDY-STRIPE FRINGE, AN UNOFFICIAL STAR COUNT, ACCURATE FOR JUST 6 DAYS, NOVEMBER 2ND - 6TH, 1889, PROBABLY MADE ON THE GREAT PLAINS

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L):
Flag Size (H x L): 72" x 76" (or 76" x 72" when vertically displayed)
Description....:
RARE INDIAN WARS PERIOD UNION INFANTRY BATTLE FLAG WITH 40 STARS IN A NOTCHED CONFIGURATION AND WITH A CANDY-STRIPE FRINGE, AN UNOFFICIAL STAR COUNT, ACCURATE FOR JUST 6 DAYS, NOVEMBER 2ND - 6TH, 1889, PROBABLY MADE ON THE GREAT PLAINS:

Rare U.S. Infantry, Indian Wars period battle flag with a rare, unofficial star count and unusual, desirable features.

During the 19th century, were numerous flags were produced with unofficial star counts, but this one was accurate for just 6 days. During the 3rd quarter of the 19th century, it became clear--for financial and political reasons--that the Dakota Territory would be divided into two states when admitted to the Union. When the Western Territories were about to be admitted, there was a great deal of maneuvering to see which state would be first. Flag makers had to anticipate how many stars were needed to update the next flag that they would produce.

40 star flags reflect the addition of both North & South Dakota, which became our 39th and 40th states on the same day, November 2nd, 1889. Because Montana was admitted just 6 days later on November 8th, the 40 star flag became inaccurate almost immediately and wasn’t produced for all practical purposes. In fact, a total of 5 states entered the Union over the course of the "flag year", which proceeded from July 4th, 1889 to July 3rd, 1890. Per the Flag Act of 1818, this was the date bracket over which the new official star count was calculated each year.

In addition to being a rare star count, the flag itself is in a rare format among surviving examples. It is a U.S. Infantry, regulation-sized battle colors. This is the precise size that the infantry carried, usually with decorative fringe of some nature. Made of twisted cotton or blended wool and cotton cord, this particular fringe is of a red and white, candy-stripe variety and not exactly like any fringe that I have ever seen on any other flag. I have seen similar fringes on occasion, but this particular variety was probably intended for upholstery work and seldom saw use as in the decorative binding of Stars & Stripes.

It is of particular interest to see a U.S. Army battle flag in an unofficial star count, but it stands to reason that the flag was probably procured on the plains during the Indian Wars, which were just coming to a close. It would hardly have been easy for a unit stationed in the West, and probably moving around a lot, to obtain any sort of flag, especially in short order. The officer in charge either ordered it this way—maybe using his own stock of wool bunting and local or inter-unit labor—or else simply accepted whatever was available. In any event, it seems reasonable to assume that he may have even asked that the 39th and 40th stars be added, especially if he was stationed in the Dakotas and wished to gain the support of locals in favor of forthcoming statehood. It was not uncommon, especially in the last quarter of the 19th century, to actually add stars before the respective states they represented were officially added.

It is clear that flag-makers of this era were well aware of impending changes. Note the star pattern, which is what I call "notched". This means that space was left open for even more Western Territories that were yet to be added. The choice to arrange the stars in this fashion adds both historical and visual interest.

Construction: The canton and stripes of the flag are made of wool bunting that has been pieced with a treadle machine. The stars are unusually small in size, which can sometimes detract from the visual nature of a flag, but here seems entirely appropriate and actually adds a degree of visual interest. Made of cotton, they are roughly the same size as the gilded stars found on Civil War period, Union Infantry battle flags. These, however, are double-appliqued (applied to both sides of the Navy blue canton) with treadle stitching. The stars are made of cotton, which is customary on wool flags, yet instead of an applied cotton or canvas hoist, an open sleeve was created, through which a wooden staff could be inserted. This would be tacked in place with upholstery tacks. Made of blue wool bunting, which adds visual interest of its own, it is lined with light weight cotton.

The thick fringe is particularly neat and the flag has an abnormally high amount of homemade charm and texture--significantly more than 99% of the flags of this period. In summary, it exists as a historically interesting and visually unusual example of the Indian Wars era.

Mounting: The flag has not yet been mounted.

Condition: There are two, significant lateral tears, accompanied by more minor tears and losses. The tears can easily be attended to by my conservation staff during the mounting process. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 40
Earliest Date of Origin: 1889
Latest Date of Origin: 1889
State/Affiliation: South Dakota
War Association: 1866-1890 Indian Wars
Price: Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281
 

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