Frame Size (H x L): 21” x 26”
Flag Size (H x L): 12” x 17”  

Offered is a forty-two star antique flag, printed on silk.  Its stars are arranged in a 7-7-7-7-7-7 pattern.  The stars in the first, third, fifth, and seventh columns are canted to the 1:00 position, while the stars in the other columns are canted just slightly to the right of the 12:00 position.  There is an overprint near the hoist edge of the bottom white stripe.  It states the following:

Annual Reunion 10^th & 20^th Regs., Conn. Vol.
AT
Birmingham, September 12, 1889    

The Union Army's 10^th Connecticut Infantry Regiment was among the most successful regiments from Connecticut during the Civil War, with an impressive record of service.  Of particular note, it engaged in the trench battles of Richmond, earning high praise from Union generals, including from Ulysses S. Grant.  It served until the very end of the War, including when it helped thwart Robert E. Lee's attempt to flee from Virginia.  The 10^th Regiment was present at Appomattox Court House when Lee surrendered to Grant.  

The Union Army’s 20^th Connecticut Infantry Regiment was formed in July 1862 under the command of Colonel Samuel Ross.  Later, it was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William Wooster. The 20^th Regiment fought numerous battles in both the eastern and western theaters.  In particular, it fought in the Battle of Chancellorsville and the Battle of Gettysburg.  At Gettysburg, the 20^th Regiment was tasked with scouting the movements of the enemy and relaying information to nearby Union batteries. Thereafter, this tactic became a common practice and is still used today. The 20^th Regiment also took part in the Siege of Atlanta, Sherman's March to the Sea, and the Battle of Bentonville.

As noted by the flag’s overprint, the 10^th and 20^th Regiments reunited annually, this time on September 12^th, 1889, in Birmingham, Connecticut.  This is the first time that we have encountered this style of flag with this particular overprint.  It may be the only remaining example, particularly given that it was made for a relatively small, one-day event.   

FORTY-TWO STAR FLAGS GENERALLY
The forty-two star flag is an oddity in that its star count was never official.  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 2^nd, 1889.  Soon thereafter, on November 8^th, 1889 Montana was admitted as the forty-first state, and on November 11^th Washington was admitted as the forty-second.  When Congress went on break, flag makers began producing anticipatory forty-two star flags (though interestingly, the anticipatory flag offered herein was made even earlier than this batch).    

On July 3^rd, 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 43 star did.  Just a few days later, on July 10^th, 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).

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 an attractive black and silver frame.

Condition Report: There is some bleeding of the red stripes into the white stripes and stars.  At some point, this flag was likely damp or wet, hence the bleeding.  There is also some yellow staining across the white stripes and stars.  There is a hole in the second white stripe from the bottom.  

Collectability Level: The Great – Perfect for Rising Collectors   
Date of Origin: 1889
Number of Stars: 42
Associated War: Indian Wars (1860-1890)  
Associated State: Washington