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  EXTREMELY RARE 26 STAR PARADE FLAG, THE EARLIEST KNOWN STAR COUNT FOR PRINTED FLAGS, 1837-1846, MICHIGAN STATEHOOD

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 43.75" x 46.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 36.5" x 33"
Description....:
EXTREMELY RARE 26 STAR PARADE FLAG, THE EARLIEST KNOWN STAR COUNT FOR PRINTED FLAGS, 1837-1846, MICHIGAN STATEHOOD:

26 star American parade flag, printed on silk, with 4 rows of 6 stars and 2 stars staggered before them on the hoist end. These roughly form two exaggerated, backwards-facing "C's", a variation that is seldom seen in any star count, but which seems to have been a popular way to arrange 26 stars.

The 26 star flag became official on July 4th, 1837, after the addition of Michigan. It remained so until the addition of the 27th state in 1845. The earliest known parade flags have either 26 or 13 stars, the latter made during this same eight-year period with patriotic respect for our colonial past. There are but a small handful of 26 star parade flags known to exist. Most of these have overprinted political advertising for the presidential campaigns of William Henry Harrison (1840), Henry Clay or James Polk (1844). The remainder, without political advertising, like this flag, number fewer than 15. Most of the known examples are almost square in shape. This reflects the square shape of militia flags and regimental banners and it would also have allowed women to use the flags as kerchiefs in their hair at parades or political rallies. Most I have seen, however, were tacked to staffs.

Four flags are currently known to exist from this particular manufacturer, the name of which is unknown. All four flags have squarish proportions and are nearly identical in size, made of the same grade of silk, and bear the same "Double-C" star configuration. One of the four is printed in waving format, with appropriate shadowing and a printed image of a whimsical staff along the hoist end. The other two are like this one, flat, like almost all parade flags.

The fact that the canton rests on a red stripe is a very rare trait. Some flag historians refer to this as the "blood stripe" or the "war stripe", suggesting the flag was sometimes constructed in this manner when the nation was at war. There is also evidence that the Navy used this design feature on at least some of its flags made during the mid-19th century. And sometimes the placement was undoubtedly by accident. In any event, the war stripe feature is a highly desired feature in early American flags, and it is particularly rare in printed examples.

Mounting: This is a pressure mount between 100% cotton velvet and u.v. protective plexiglas. The black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding is contemporary.

Condition: There are numerous lateral splits and small holes, the majority of them located in the white stripes. It appears that the blue and red ink helped to stabilize the fabric in the respective areas where it was dyed. 100% silk taffeta with an iridescent weave was placed behind the flag e flag to mask areas of loss. There has been a degree of fading in the red dye and there is minor water staining. The flag presents tremendously well and its great rarity warrants practically any condition.
Collector Level: Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 26
Earliest Date of Origin: 1837
Latest Date of Origin: 1845
State/Affiliation: Michigan
War Association: 1777-1860 Pre-Civil War
Price: Sold
 

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