Frame Size (H x L): 29.5” x 39.5”
Flag Size (H x L): 18” x 28”

Offered is a forty-five star flag, printed on glazed cotton. 

The First Flag Act of 1777 specified the number of stripes and the colors of the flag, but it did not specify the star placements or its overall proportions.  Because of this lack of specificity, each flag maker could place the stars and dimension the flag however he wanted.  This freedom extended all the way to 1912, the time at which President Taft issued Executive Order 1556, establishing that the stars should be placed in a rectilinear pattern, and the proportions of the flag. 

In the case of this early flag, the stars are arranged in a 7-8-8-8-8-6 pattern, which leaves notches in three of the four corners of the canton.  The notches represent the openings for the next three states to be admitted to the union: Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico.   

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 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 a silver Italian frame with hand distressing.

Condition Report: There is some discoloration along and near the hoist edge.  There are also small nail holes running along the hoist edge, as result of this flag being attached to a staff at some point earlier in its life.  In other respects, this flag is clean, bright, and attractive.  One would be hard pressed to find a better example. 

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