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  45 STARS ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH ELONGATED PROPORTIONS AND IN A SMALL SCALE FLAG OF THE PERIOD AMONG THOSE WITH PIECED-AND-SEWN CONSTRUCTION, 1896-1908, SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR ERA, UTAH STATEHOOD

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 42.5" x 72"
Flag Size (H x L): 30" x 60"
Description....:
45 star American national flag, made in the period between 1896 and 1907, with elongated proportions and a beautiful presentation. Utah became the 45th state in 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. 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.

One of the flag's other attractive features is its small scale among those with of piece-and-sewn construction. Prior to the 1890's, flags with sewn construction needed to be large in order to serve well in their utilitarian function as signals. Lengths of 8-feet and longer were common. A six-foot flag was considered small. After 1890, flag-maker's began for the first time to produce sewn flags in quantity that measured 3-4 feet on the fly. These almost always had 13 stars, however, instead of a count representing the full complement of states at the time. It wasn't until well until the 48-star period (1912-1959) that sewn flags of this scale often bore the full star count. Collectors prefer smaller scale examples, like this one, that can be more readily conserved and displayed in modern indoor setting.

The canton and stripes of the flag are made of wool bunting that has been pieced with machine stitching. The stars are made of cotton and double-appliquéd (sewn to both sides) with a zigzag machine stitch. These are arranged in staggered rows of 8-7-8-7-8-7, which is typical of this star count. There is a canvas sailcloth binding along the hoist, with a blue stitch running vertically, and there are two brass grommets, one each at the top and bottom for hoisting. The hoist binding was pieced in two sections, as was the 4th white stripe, both of which demonstrate the flag-maker's efficient use of available fabric.

Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by masters degree trained staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples; more than anyone worldwide.

The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color. The scooped profile molding has a rope style lip and a finish that is very dark brown in color, nearly black, with reddish highlights and overtones. To this a distressed silver liner was added. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass. Feel free to contact us for more details.

Condition: Absolutely excellent for a wool flag of this period. There is an extremely tiny amount of mothing, and there is minor foxing and staining, the most significant of which occurs in the stars, but the overall condition remarkable.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 45
Earliest Date of Origin: 1896
Latest Date of Origin: 1907
State/Affiliation: Utah
War Association: 1898 Spanish American War
Price: SOLD
 

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