Frame Size (H x L): 20” x 31”
Flag Size (H x L): 12” x 22.5”

Offered is a forty-four star flag, printed on glazed cotton. Its stars are arranged in an hourglass pattern, being that the top and bottom rows are outwardly offset, on both sides, from the middle rows. This pattern is most often encountered in forty-four star flags, as this number of stars—in an 8-7-7-7-7-8 pattern—naturally form such a shape.

The stars tumble within each row, such that every other star is in a normal position and the others are an upside-down position. An interesting feature of this tumbling arrangement is that the stars in the second through fifth rows appear to be arranged by columns. For example, the first, third, fifth, and seventh columns therein only include stars that are aligned and in the normal position. And in contrast, the second, fourth, and sixth columns therein only include stars that are aligned and in the upside-down position.

Most interesting of all, this flag includes the following outstanding overprint:

WORLD’S
FAIR
TREMONT TEMPLE TRAIN
BOSTON, MASS.
1893

The Tremont Temple is a Baptist Church, located in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1843, the Free Church Baptists purchased the Tremont Theater, which was built in 1827, and converted it to a place of worship. The Temple was damaged by fire in 1852, again in 1879, and yet again in 1893. In 1896, the congregation replaced the original structure with a new one, designed by architect Clarence Blackall. The new structure was larger and included an auditorium, ground-floor retail shops, and upper-story offices. The Tremont Temple Train was the name of the train that took a group of practitioners, from Boston to Chicago, for the 1893 World’s Fair. From this, we believe that the flag offered herein likely marked the train cars associated therewith and/or was handed out to those making the trip.

The Fair was celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival to the New World. Several cities—including St. Louis, New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago—expressed interest in hosting the Fair, so as to promote their respective cities and generate revenue. New York’s elite pledged $15 million to host it, while Chicago’s elite matched and exceeded this pledge. As a result of Chicago’s higher pledge, Congress chose it to host the Fair. Forty-six nations participated in the six month event, and approximately 26 million people attended it. The Fair became an early symbol for American Exceptionalism and Chicago’s power.

John Wellborn Root, Daniel Burnham, and Frederick Law Olmsted designed the layout of the Fair. Their design was based on French neoclassical architectural principals, such as balance, symmetry, and splendor. The Fair covered over 600 acres, and had nearly 200 temporary buildings in the neighborhoods of South Shore, Jackson Park Highlands, Hyde Park, and Woodlawn. The buildings surrounded a large water pool, meant to represent Columbus’s voyage to the New World. The Fair was referred to as the White City, in part because of the extensive use of white plaster on the buildings (nearly all of which were temporary), and because of the extensive use of street lights illuminating them. The White City inspired the City Beautiful movement and modern city planning. The centerpiece of the Fair was the world’s first Ferris Wheel, designed by George Ferris. It was 264 feet tall and had a total capacity for 2,160 people.

The forty-four star flag represents the inclusion of Wyoming to the Union. Wyoming was admitted on July 10th, 1890, and this star count became official on July 4th, 1891. Presidents Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland served under this flag.

In 1889, Congress considered adding the Dakota Territory as a single state. What happened, however, was that the Dakota Territory was split it into two states: North Dakota and South Dakota, and they were both admitted on November 2nd, 1889. Soon thereafter, on November 8th, 1889, Montana was admitted as the forty-first state, and on November 11th, 1889, Washington was admitted as the forty-second. When Congress went on break, flag makers began producing anticipatory forty-two star flags for the following July 4th, 1890.

To the surprise of many, on July 3rd, 1890—just one day before the forty-two star flag was going to be official—Congress admitted Idaho as the forty-third state. As a result, the forty-two star flag never became official, but the forty-three star did. Just a few days later, on July 10th, 1890, Congress admitted Wyoming as the forty-fourth state. As a result of this rapid succession of state admissions, flag makers made large quantities of unofficial forty-two star flags and official forty-four star flags, but hardly any forty-three star flags (despite it being an official star count).

The forty-four star flag is relatively rare when compared to, for example, the forty-five star flag, as a result of it being used after the Centennial, but before the Spanish American War. The forty-four star flag was the official flag for five years up until July 4th, 1896, the time at which the forty-five star flag became official and began to represent the inclusion of Utah 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 modern black and silver frame.

Condition Report: There are small tears along the hoist edge, where nails would have originally held the flag to its staff. There is a small tear in the canton and a few small holes in the stripes. There is a small piece missing at the bottom right corner. The missing piece has been masked via red antique fabric. There are a small scratches, misprints, and stains across the surface. The flag is age appropriate and attractive.

Collectability Level: The Great – Perfect for Rising Collectors
Date of Origin: 1893
Number of Stars: 44
Associated State: Wyoming