Frame Size (H x L): 16” x 12”
Flag Size (H x L): 4” x 5” and Affixed to a 10.5” Staff

Offered here is a unique thirty-seven star parade flag, crafted from silk and attached to a metal staff topped with a small finial.

It features an unusual 8-8-8-8-5 star pattern. The first four rows contain eight stars each, while the fifth row contains five stars, flanked by notches on either side, adding to its visual intrigue. At the time this flag was made, there was no official star pattern for the American flag. It wasn't until 1912 that President William Howard Taft issued an executive order establishing a standardized design for the flag. This order set consistent guidelines for the arrangement of stars and the proportions of the flag's elements. The stars were to be arranged in six horizontal rows of eight stars each, with a single point of each star pointing upward, and the overall proportions and dimensions of the flag were specified.

One of the most striking features of this flag is the canton, the blue field with stars, which rests on a red stripe instead of the traditional white. This red stripe is sometimes referred to as a "blood stripe" or "war stripe," with the theory being that such placement indicates that the flag may have been made during a period of conflict. Alternatively, this placement might have been a design choice by the maker. The red and white stripes are dark in color and are separated by unusual black lines, further distinguishing this flag from more typical designs.

The thirty-seven-star flag represents the inclusion of Nebraska into the Union. Nebraska was admitted on March 1, 1867, and this flag became official on July 4^th of the same year. This period marked the beginning of the Reconstruction era and a significant phase of the Indian Wars. The thirty-seven-star flag flew under the administrations of Presidents Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Rutherford B. Hayes.

Nebraska's path to statehood was influenced by several factors. The region was part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and was later organized as the Nebraska Territory in 1854 with the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed territories to decide on the legality of slavery through popular sovereignty. The Homestead Act of 1862 further spurred settlement by offering 160 acres of land to settlers willing to farm it for five years. The influx of settlers, combined with the construction of the transcontinental railroad, which facilitated further growth and development, set the stage for statehood.

Despite initial vetoes by President Andrew Johnson, Congress ultimately overrode his vetoes, allowing Nebraska to join the Union. This move was part of the broader Reconstruction efforts to rebuild and reorganize the states after the Civil War, ensuring loyalty to the Union and extending civil rights.

Thirty-seven-star flags are relatively scarce compared to thirty-six and thirty-eight-star flags. This scarcity is due to the absence of major patriotic events between the Civil War's conclusion and the centennial celebrations of 1876. Additionally, flag manufacturers often produced anticipatory flags in advance of their official adoption, leading to the prevalence of thirty-eight-star flags during the centennial, despite the thirty-seven-star flag being the official flag at that time. For historical commemorations, thirteen-star flags were also commonly used alongside the thirty-eight-star flags during the centennial celebrations.

The thirty-seven-star flag remained official until July 4, 1877, when the thirty-eight-star flag was adopted to represent the inclusion of Colorado into the Union. This transition marks a distinct chapter in the evolution of the United States flag, highlighting the nation's expansion and the unique circumstances surrounding the production and use of its iconic symbol.

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, the fabric was first washed via a standard wash and then in a dye-setting wash. The flag is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: This American hand-painted, faux bois frame features an oxblood red crotchwood design with a grain-painted finish. Originating from Pennsylvania around 1840, it remains in excellent condition.

Condition Report: There are signs of wear, including slight fraying along the edges and some discoloration on the stripes. Despite these imperfections, it retains its historical character and charm.

Collectability Level: The Great – Perfect for Rising Collectors
Date of Origin: 1867-1876
Number of Stars: 37
Associated War: The Indian Wars (1860-1890)
Associated State: Nebraska