Frame Size (H x L): 19” x 25”
Flag Size (H x L): 12” x 17”

Offered is a thirty-nine star flag, made of silk. Its stars are arranged in a 6-7-7-6-7-6 pattern, and they tumble within each row. The stars are unusually shaped, in that there are notches between their arms.

Most notably, the flag offered herein includes the following overprint:

A HAPPY NEW YEAR
1889
HERBERT SHARPE,
JOSEPH GREEN, HARRY SMITH,
JOSEPH SHARPE.

This style of flag surfaces with some frequency; however, we have never encountered this style of flag with this overprint. We suspect that it is one of just a few remaining examples, if not the only remaining example. Despite extensive research efforts, we have been unable to determine the identities (i.e., locations and occupations) of Herbert Sharpe, Joseph Green, Harry Smith, and Joseph Sharpe. We suspect that they were businessmen or politicians. But in any event, it is an interesting overprint that adds considerably to the appeal of this flag.

Thirty-nine star flags are an oddity in that their star count was never official. They were made at two different times, initially in 1876 and later in 1889. In 1876, before the admission of Colorado, flag makers speculated that an additional territory would also be admitted therewith. Because of this, some flag makers went from making thirty-seven star flags to thirty-nine star versions in 1876 (e.g., in patriotic centennial quilts). Instead, what occurred was only Colorado was admitted, and the flag went from thirty-seven stars to thirty-nine in 1876.

Later, in 1889, Congress considered adding the Dakota Territory as a single state, and based on this, some flag makers made anticipatory thirty-nine star flags. What happened, however, was that the Dakota Territory was then split it into two states: North Dakota and South Dakota, and they were both admitted on November 2nd, 1889. This unexpectedly increased the star count, in 1889, from thirty-eight stars to forty stars, not to mention the unexpected increase from forty stars to forty-three stars this same year (i.e., the unexpected inclusion of Montana, Washington, and Idaho). The Flag Act of 1818 specified that the addition of each star should be on the Fourth of July following a state’s admission to the Union. Because North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, and Idaho were all admitted in 1889, the official star count of the official US flag increased from thirty-eight to forty-three in just a single year. Despite this, flag makers made thirty-nine star anticipatory flags based on incorrect assumptions of how and when new states would be admitted 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: The flag offered herein is in an outstanding, modern black frame.

Condition Report: There is a light sprinkling of stains across the flag. There is a darker stain across the tip of the third white stripe. There is a vertical stain down the middle of the flag, but it is not particularly distinct, just as the photos suggest. The flag is solid and stable, despite being made of silk. It is age appropriate and attractive.

Collectability Level: The Good – Perfect for Beginning Collectors and Gifts
Date of Origin: 1889
Number of Stars: 39
Associated War: Indian Wars (1860-1890)
Associated State: North Dakota