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  HAWAIIAN PARADE FLAG, CA 1893-1920's, PRE-STATEHOOD, A RARE EXAMPLE IN THIS EARLY PERIOD

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 29" x 37"
Flag Size (H x L): 17.75" x 26.25"
Description....:
Hawaiian parade flag, printed on silk, made sometime in the period between 1893 and the 1920's. Parade flags were affixed to wooden staffs and intended for hand-waving at parades and political events, as well as for other patriotic purpose. The Hawaiian flag took on this design in 1845 and this has effectively been its flag ever since, through the collapse of the monarchy of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893, through revolution and into eventual statehood. In this regard the flag represented the Kingdom, Protectorate, Republic, and Territory of Hawaii. It is the only U.S. state flag to feature the Union flag of the United Kingdom, a remnant of the period in Hawaiian history when it was associated with the British Empire. The field is composed of eight stripes alternating white, red, blue, white, red, blue, white, red. These represent the eight major islands (Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Lānai, Molokai, Kahoolawe, and Niihau). Other versions of the flag have only seven stripes, probably representing the islands with the exception of Kahoolawe or Niihau. The present arrangement of the stripes was standardized in 1843, although other combinations of the same three colors have been seen and are occasionally still used.

In 1867 Hawaii began to exhibit at World's Fairs, which probably resulted in the limited manufacture and distribution of Hawaiian flags of various sorts. Many international flags were displayed at these events. The silk fabric and style of the machine-sewn binding suggest the mid-1890's - 1920's era. Two events in 1893 specifically offer a possible explanation for manufacture. It was in this year that the U.S.S. Boston participated in a political coup, serving both settler and American interests, which dismantled the authority of the indigenous Hawaiian Monarchy.

The Chicago World's Fair, which had 27.5 million attendees, also took place in that same year with Hawaiian representation. This was the largest event of its kind to date in America, even outstripping the 1876 Centennial Expo, which attracted 8.2 million attendees.

Hawaii participated in other events over the next two-and-a-half decades, any of which may have called for the display of Hawaiian parade flags, but so few of these pre-statehood examples have survived to the present day that the discovery of one of this kind, especially a silk example, is particularly fortunate. Anything in a Hawaiian flag of this period is rare.

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 and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. The mount was then placed in a in a modern molding with a traditional American profile. The finish is near-to-black with slight reddish-brown overtones and a gold inner lip. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass.

Condition: The overall condition is exceptional. There are couple of pinprick-sized holes, some extremely tiny stains, and there is a small amount of misprinting in the last white stripe, near the hoist end.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 1893
Latest Date of Origin: 1929
State/Affiliation: Hawaii
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

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