42 Star Medallion Pattern Flag
Rare Halo Center Star

 

42 STAR MEDALLION PATTERN
HALO CENTER STAR
AMERICAN NATIONAL PARADE FLAG
WASHINGTON STATE|1889-1890 CIRCA

FLAG SIZE:     (HxL)  8”x13 ½”
FRAME SIZE:  (HxL) 5 ½”x 19 ½ “

Extraordinary example of a 42-Star American National parade flag; printed on glazed cotton in a Medallion configuration with a large halo center star surrounded by a double wreath of stars, and a triad of stars flanking each of the four corners of the canton. This flag has an anomaly with the red and white stripes continuing in line with the body of the flag after the hoist.

On November 11, 1889, Washington state became the 42cd state to join the Union and was to become the official star count on July 4, 1890.  Flag makers began producing anticipatory 42-Star flags prior to the official induction and on July 3, 1890, just one day before becoming the official count, Congress announced the official star count would be 43 Stars as Idaho would be added to the Union on July 10, 1890. The anticipatory 42-star flags that were made never became official, thus they were not mass produced, making them scarce to come-by today.

The flag is made of glazed cotton, it has areas of material loss and creases, edges have slight fraying, colors are aged but vibrant. The flag is pressure mounted on pre-washed black cotton over an acid-free backer board; the beautiful antique Gesso wood frame is painted in a gilded gold finish.

Email: jtfrancis.com@gmail.com

Item: 7-28-24