Frame Size (H x L): 32” x 35”
Flag Size (H x L): 22” x 25”

Offered is a terrific thirty-seven star flag printed on cotton.  Its stars are arranged in an 8-8-7-7-7 pattern, with the first two rows be offset slightly leftward relative to the third through sixth rows. 

This flag is almost perfectly square, instead of elongated.  The First Flag Act of 1777 did not specify the dimensions or proportions of the flag.  And such freedom extended up to 1912, the time at which President Taft issued Executive Order 1556, establishing the proportions of the flag.   

The canton of the flag is a beautiful cornflower blue, and its stripes are a deep red.  The First Flag Act specified the colors of the flag, but did not specify the exact shades of each color, which is why some flags—like this one—have unusual colors.  The exact shades were not officially specified until 1934.      

The canton of this flag rests on the bottom half of a red stripe, instead of a white stripe as generally is standard.  This red stripe may be referred to as a war stripe or a blood stripe, and sometimes suggests that the flag was made when the nation was a war.  The blood stripe on this flag was likely placed accidentally, as it was made during a time of piece (assuming it was not an anticipatory flag).  Such stripe is sometimes just an accident, as someone not familiar with the details of the flag had a 50-50 chance of placing the canton and stripes correctly.  In any event, flags with blood stripes are rare, folksy, and desirable.  Further, they tend to have unusually shaped cantons.  When there is a blood stripe, the canton tends to be a little too tall (as is the case with this flag) or a little too short, depending on which red stripe the canton is stacked on top of. 

The thirty-seven star flag represents the inclusion of Nebraska to the Union.  Nebraska was admitted on March 1st, 1867, and this flag became official on July 4th of the same year.  The thirty-seven star flag was the official flag during a portion of the Reconstruction era, and a portion of the Indian Wars era.  Presidents Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Rutherford B. Hayes all served under this flag. 

Thirty-seven star flags are scarce, relative to thirty-six and thirty-eight star flags.  This is because of a lack of major patriotic events following the Civil War and preceding the centennial.  This is further because thirty-eight star flags were often used to celebrate the centennial, instead of the thirty-seven star flag, even though it was the official star count in 1876.  It was common for flag makers to produce anticipatory flags in advance of their official date, making the thirty-eight star flag—and for historical reasons, the thirteen star flag—the most common flags flown during the centennial celebrations of 1876. 

The thirty-seven star flag was official until July 4th 1877, the time at which the thirty-eight star flag became official and began to represent the inclusion of Colorado to the Union.

Conservation Process: This flag was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board.  To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the flag, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash.  The flag is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: This offering is in our Large Gold Frame. 

Condition Report: This flag has some staining and foxing, and includes rust marks where it was originally tacked to a staff.  Despite this, this flag presents wonderfully, and many collectors prefer such a patina.  

Collectability Level: The Best – Perfect for Advanced Collectors  
Date of Origin: 1867-1877
Number of Stars: 37
Associated War: The Indian Wars (1860-1890)  
Associated State: Nebraska