Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

45 Star Antique American Flag, with Staggered Rows, Utah Statehood, ca 1890-1896

About the Item

45 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH STAGGERED ROWS OF STARS ON A DUSTY BLUE CANTON; REFLECTS THE PERIOD WHEN UTAH WAS THE MOST RECENT STATE TO JOIN THE UNION, 1890-1896 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. Although this technically remained the official star count until July 3rd, 1908, 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. The stars of this particular example are configured in staggered rows of 8-7-8-7-8-7, a typical formation on 45 star examples. The stars are made of cotton and are all oriented with one point upward. These were expertly double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) with a lineal, treadle stitch. The striped field and canton are made of wool bunting that has been pieced and joined with the same stitching. Note how the canton has faded to a dusty blue-grey. Some of the blue wool bunting acquired by flag-makers near the opening of the last decade of the 19th century, and sometimes encountered shortly thereafter, was produced with a fugitive dye, fading whether or not it was exposed to light. The result is actually more interesting than one might expect, generally adding rather than detracting to a flag’s overall appearance, while at the same time lending a trait that assists in both the translation and authentication of its age. There is a canvas sailcloth binding along the hoist, with two brass grommets. Note the blue filament woven into this fabric, which aided in the visual determination of lengths of this material as it came off the bolt. Also note the hemp or jute ties along the hoist end, used to affix it to a staff. These add a particularly nice visual feature to the presentation. While the scale may seem large to a casual observer, unfamiliar with 19th century examples, it is important to understand that most flags with pieced-and-sewn construction, made prior to 1890, measured 7-8 feet larger on the fly. At just a hair under 3 x 5 feet, this is a relatively small flag among its counterparts. Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples. The black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed molding is Italian. The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color, that has been washed and treated for colorfastness. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Feel free to contact us for more details. Condition: In addition to the fading of the blue, detailed above, there is very minor soiling and staining throughout. There is a darning repair near the fly end of the 3rd white stripe. There is very minor mothing throughout, most significant beneath the canton, near the hoist. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use. Frame Size (H x L): 44.75" x 72.25" Flag Size (H x L): 33.25" x 58.5"
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 44.75 in (113.67 cm)Width: 72.25 in (183.52 cm)Depth: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1890-1896
  • Condition:
    See Item Description.
  • Seller Location:
    York County, PA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 45j-10041stDibs: LU849738223692
More From This SellerView All
  • 45 Star Antique American Flag, Utah Statehood, Ca 1896-1908
    Located in York County, PA
    45 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH ITS STARS ARRANGED IN A NOTCHED PATTERN, 1896-1908, UTAH STATEHOOD 45 star American national flag, printed on coarse, glazed cotton. Eviden...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

    Materials

    Cotton

  • 44 Star Antiques American Flag, Wyoming Statehood, ca 1890-1896
    Located in York County, PA
    44 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH AN HOURGLASS FORMATION OF STARS IN CANTED ROWS, AND AN EXTREMELY INTERESTING PRESENTATION FROM REPEATING SWATHS OF HEAVY OXIDATION, WYOMING STATEHO...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

    Materials

    Cotton

  • 44 Star Antique Parade Flag, Hourglass Formation, Wyoming Statehood ca 1890-1896
    Located in York County, PA
    44 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH AN HOURGLASS FORMATION ON A BRILLIANT BLUE CANTON; REFLECTS THE ERA WHEN WYOMING WAS THE MOST RECENT STATE TO JOIN THE UNION, 1890-1896 44 star Am...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

    Materials

    Cotton

  • 43 Star Antique Silk American Flag, Idaho Statehood, ca 1890
    Located in York County, PA
    43 GILT-PAINTED STARS ON A SILK, ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH BULLION FRINGE; REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF IDAHO AS THE 43RD STATE ON JULY 3RD, 1890, ONE OF THE RAREST STAR COUNTS AMONG SURVIVING AMERICAN FLAGS OF THE 19TH CENTURY Numerous flags appeared with unofficial star counts in early America, some of them produced by flag-makers in large quantity in anticipation of the addition of more states. Interestingly enough, other flags were officially adopted by the United States Congress, but for all practical purposes were never produced. Among these is the 43 star flag...
    Category

    Antique 1890s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

    Materials

    Silk

  • 38 Star Antique American Flag, Colorado Statehood, ca 1876-1889
    Located in York County, PA
    38 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH HAND-SEWN STARS IN AN 8-7-8-7-8 PATTERN OF JUSTIFIED ROWS, MADE IN THE PERIOD WHEN COLORADO WAS THE MOST RECENT STATE TO JOIN THE UNION, 1876-1889 ...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

    Materials

    Wool

  • 38 Star Antique American Flag, Colorado Statehood, ca 1876-1889
    Located in York County, PA
    38 star antique American parade flag with scattered star orientation, made of silk, with generous scale and vivid colors, Colorado Statehood, 1876-1889 38 star American national p...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

    Materials

    Silk

You May Also Like
  • 38-Star Antique American Flag with Unique Canton, circa 1876-1890
    Located in Colorado Springs, CO
    This is a striking 38-star American flag. The flag dates to 1876-1890, when Colorado (represented by the large star in the center of the flag’s canton) joined the Union as the 38th s...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

    Materials

    Muslin

  • 31-Star Printed American Flag, Celebrating California Statehood, Circa 1850
    Located in Colorado Springs, CO
    This is a rare 31-star medallion printed American flag, celebrating the addition of California to the Union. The flag is printed on silk and has a spectacular “Great Star” canton pat...
    Category

    Antique 1850s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

    Materials

    Silk

  • 1889 North Dakota 39 Star United States of America Statehood Flag
    Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
    39 star silk statehood flag. 23 1/2" x 15". Was the unofficial North Dakota Flag. As South Dakota was also admitted as the 40th state on the same day this...
    Category

    Antique 1880s American Historical Memorabilia

    Materials

    Silk

  • 39-Star Antique American Flag with 'Whimsical' Star Pattern, 1889
    Located in Colorado Springs, CO
    This is a 39-star unofficial American flag, handmade and printed on cotton. The flag dates to 1889 and has a unique history, thanks to its rare star-count. The flag’s canton is prin...
    Category

    Antique 1880s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

    Materials

    Cotton

  • Rare Monumental 1890 Antique 42 Star United States of America Flag
    Located in Dayton, OH
    Monumental fifteen foot 42 star American flag, circa 1889-1890. The 42-star flag is rare because only a limited number of 42-star flags were produced after Washington became a state on Nov. 11, 1889. But it takes a more intimate knowledge of flag trivia to know just why it happened this way. White stars are added to the blue field of the star-spangled banner on the Fourth of July after a state is admitted to the union. In the fall of 1889, several western territories became states. Dakota was admitted, and then split into North and South Dakota, on Nov. 2, 1889, which made them state and star numbers 39 and 40. Montana was named the 41st state on Nov. 8, followed by Washington, on Nov. 11. Only a few flag manufacturers began producing 42-star flags before the official addition of the 42nd star on July 4, 1890. Those who tried to jump the gun by being the first to produce an up-to-date flag were surprised when Idaho was admitted to the United States on July 3...
    Category

    Antique 1890s American Classical Historical Memorabilia

    Materials

    Cotton

  • 34-Star Civil War American Flag, Antique Great Star Pattern, circa 1861
    Located in Colorado Springs, CO
    The stars of this extremely rare, Civil War-era flag are arranged in what is sometimes called the "Great Flower" pattern, a large star made out of smaller stars -- named as such beca...
    Category

    Antique 1860s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

    Materials

    Linen

Recently Viewed

View All