1880s Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Presented is a very rare and attractively-sized 41-star flag waver, celebrating Montana statehood. The flag is printed on linen and dates to 1889. The blue canton is printed with 41 stars, arranged in 9 rows of alternating counts of 5 and 4 stars. The flag's design ins completed with 13 alternating red and white stripes. On November 2, 1889, North and South Dakota were added to the Union as the 39th and 40th states, the first time in history that two states were admitted on the same day. Six days later, Montana became the 41st state on November 8. Montana's admission as a state predated Washington, the 42nd state, by only three days. Flag makers were not in the business of making out-of-date flags. As a result of these rapid changes in the number of states, only a small number of 41-star flags or commemorative items were ever produced, thereby making any 41-star flag exceedingly rare. The history of Montana statehood is a long one. Numerous Native American tribes originally inhabited the Montana Territory. Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the members of their expedition were the first explorers to document a journey through Montana and the lands of the Louisiana Purchase. Soon, forts were established to facilitate regular fur trading...

Antique American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889, a period silk made in the "Dancing Star" pattern, where the stars are oriented at an alternating upright and slanted angle (prior to being standardized by Congress). The 39 star flag was never an official American flag sanctioned by Congress, but was made by states to celebrate the two Dakotas admission into the Union in 1889. The flag is in very good condition, with only a few very small stains, just sufficient to call attention to the age of this flag. Conservation mounted on fabric backing in a tiger maple frame...

This is a 39-star unofficial American flag, printed on silk. The flag dates between 1877 and 1889, showcasing a whimsical star pattern in the canton. The flag's canton boasts a 6/7/7/6/7/6 row pattern of white stars printed on a dark blue ground. Thirteen red and white stripes, to represent the 13 original states in the Union, complete the design. An official flag with only 39 stars was never approved by Congress. Flagmakers often gambled on how many states would be admitted each year and would produce flags with the number of stars they predicted would be approved that session. These flagmakers assumed the Dakota Territory would be the only new state admitted that year and printed a flag with just one more star than the last. Unfortunately for the company, not only was the territory split into North and South Dakota, but three other states were also added to the new design by the time Congress voted on July 4, 1890. As a result, this 39-star flag is considered “unofficial,” giving the patriotic piece an interesting and unique history. CONDITION: Very good condition. Silk flag...

Antique American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889, a period silk made in the "Dancing Star" pattern, where the stars are oriented at an alternating upright and sl...

Presented is a very rare, 41-star flag waver celebrating Montana statehood. The flag is printed on linen and dates to 1889. The dark blue canton is printed with forty one stars in nine rows of alternating counts of five and four stars. Thirteen red and white stripes complete the flag’s design. The history of Montana statehood is a long one. Numerous Native American tribes originally inhabited the Montana Territory. Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the members of their expedition were the first explorers to document a journey through Montana and the lands of the Louisiana Purchase. Soon, forts were established to facilitate regular fur trading with Native American tribes. Missionaries and trailblazers followed. The discovery of gold in the early 1860s sped the creation of the Montana Territory. As settlers and gold prospectors entered Montana in the 1860s and 1870s, conflicts with the Native Americans arose. Perhaps the most famous clash between Native Americans and the United States military occurred in Montana on June 25, 1876. On that day, Sioux and Cheyenne defeated Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer‘s 7th United States Cavalry regiment at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. A year later, Nez Percé Chief Joseph surrendered in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana. Lured by copper in the 1880s, mining brought even more settlers to Montana. Rich grazing lands for cattle and sheep attracted other pioneers. Each of the states in America, with the exception of the original thirteen, Texas, and California, was first organized as a territory before achieving admittance to the Union as a state. Originating with the Ordinances of 1785 and 1787, the territorial system provided the expanding U.S. with a method to govern frontier areas until they gained sufficient population and economic maturity to qualify for statehood. Not surprisingly, residents of frontier territories usually demanded quick admission to statehood so they could gain full control of their local governments. Montana was a territory for 25 years – from the creation of Montana Territory in 1864 until the territory was admitted to statehood in 1889. On November 2, 1889, North and South Dakota were added to the Union as the 39th and 40th states, the first time in history that two states were admitted on the same day. Montana became the 41st state on November 8, predating Washington, the 42nd state, by only three days. Flag makers were not in the business of making out-of-date flags. As a result of these rapid changes in the number of states, only a small number of 41-star flags or commemorative items were ever produced, thereby making any 41-star flag exceedingly rare. CONDITION: Good condition. This flag is printed, with a hemmed headband and fly end in a running stitch...

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...

Presented is a bright 13-star handcut American Flag, signed by J.L. Wakefield from Preston, Ohio and dated November 10, 1884. This flag's canton features the highly sought-after meda...

Full Title: To the people of America, this engraving of "First in Peace," from the original painting, is respectfully dedicated, representing the arrival of General George Washington at the Battery, New York...

Presented is a 42-star parade flag printed circa 1889. It features a whimsical, dancing star pattern against a dark blue canton. The stars are arranged in six rows with seven stars e...

Presented is a 40-star "unofficial" printed flag. This parade flag celebrates South Dakota statehood, which was granted along with North Dakota on November 2, 1889. In addition to No...

This is a 39-star unofficial American flag, printed on silk. The flag dates to 1889 showcasing a “whimsical” star pattern in the canton. An official flag with only 39 stars was never...

This is a beautiful and finely printed silk flag that celebrates the “G.A.R.” or Grand Army of the Republic. The flag features the Grand Ar...