Frame Size (H x L): 10.5” x 14”
Flag Size (H x L): 4.5” x 8”   

Offered is forty-five star parade flag made of glazed cotton.  Parade flags like this one were typically used for parades, celebrations, rallies, and inaugurations, to name just a few examples.  Its stars are arranged in an interesting 8-7-7-8-7-8 pattern, which leaves notches in the second, third, and fifth rows.  Such notches, in later flags, were filled with stars representing Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona, respectively.  Some flag makers strategically left such notches, so that their stamps could reworked and reused for higher star counts.

The forty-five star flag represents the inclusion of Utah to the Union.  Utah was admitted on January 4th, 1896, and this flag became official on July 4th, 1896.  Presidents Grover Cleveland, William McKinley, and Teddy Roosevelt served under this flag, and the Spanish-American War was fought under it. 

In 1848 Utah became a territory of the United States, and in 1849 its constitution was established as the Mormon State of Deseret.  The next year, the State of Deseret applied to become a state, but Congress rejected the application and changed its name to the Utah Territory, which included the entirety of Nevada and portions of Colorado and Wyoming (as a section of the Missouri Compromise).  Despite its continued efforts to gain statehood, it remained a territory, partially as a result of the Mormon Church and Utah authorities being openly tolerant of polygamy.  In 1890 Utah outlawed the practice, and in 1896 Utah finally became the forty-fifth state.  The forty-five star flag was official for 12 years up until July 4th, 1908, when the forty-six star flag became official and began to represent the inclusion of Oklahoma in the Union. 

Conservation Process: This flag was hand sewn to cotton rag board.  The flag is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: The frame dates to between 1860 and 1890. 

Condition Report: This flag has some minor staining.  Many collectors prefer flags that show their use and age.

Collectability Level: The Good – Perfect for Beginning Collectors and Gifts  
Date of Origin: 1896-1907
Number of Stars: 45
Associated State: Utah  
Associated War: Spanish-American War (1898)