40 Star American Flag

 

ANTIQUE 40 STAR PARADE FLAG, SOUTH DAKOTA STATEHOOD/1889 CIR

Offered is a rare American National parade flag, South Dakota Statehood, features 40 dancing stars printed in a 7-6-7-7-6-7 configuration on muslin fabric.

North Dakota and South Dakota were admitted to the Union on the same day on November 2, 1889, followed by the inclusion of Montana and Washington on November 8 and 11th of the same year and then Idaho on July 3, 1890. A 40-star flag is uncommon and referred to as “unofficial” as few were made and never became an official star count due to the Third Flag Act passed by Congress on April 4, 1818 stating stars were to be added on Independence Day following a state’s addition to the Union, bringing the official star count to 43 in 1890.

Description/Condition

Flag size 12 ¼” x 18”
Frame size 23 ½” x 19 ½”

Forty-Star “unofficial” flag printed on muslin fabric, overall condition is good for use and period; stars arranged in a dancing pattern in a 7-6-7-7-6-7 configuration; canton is royal blue with slight fading throughout, fabric separation top left with a 1/2th “ fabric separation top and 2 -1/8th “ holes on the bottom likely from the original nails used to attach the staff to the flag, slight fraying along the left side of the flag where staff was attached; fly has fabric fray on the second white stripe, ¼” vertical fold visible on the right stripes; color loss on bottom red stripe; minor stain throughout; vintage frame made of hardwood painted black and aged gold

 

Email: jtfrancis.com@gmail.com

Item: 40-13-1444