Frame Size (H x L): 22.25” x 28”
Flag Size (H x L): 11.25” x 17” 

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

Its stars are arranged in a medallion star pattern with an inner parenthesis, a middle ring, and an outer ring. There are four flanking stars positioned outside of the outer ring, with one in each corner of the canton. 

The pattern also includes a Grand Army of the Republic (“G.A.R.”) emblem, in the middle of the parenthesis and rings. The G.A.R. was a pivotal organization in the post-Civil War era, established in 1866 by Union veterans as a fraternal organization bound by their shared experiences in the conflict. At its heart, the G.A.R. was a network of community posts across the nation, where comrades could find mutual support, camaraderie, and advocacy. It played a significant role in American politics and social issues, championing veterans' rights, influencing national policy, and ensuring that those who served were not forgotten.

The G.A.R. also left a lasting legacy in American culture, promoting the observance of Memorial Day as a time of national remembrance. As the ranks of its membership inevitably dwindled with time, the organization formally concluded in 1956, but its influence endures in the United States' enduring commitment to its veterans and in the monuments and memorials that continue to honor the sacrifices of those who fought in the American Civil War.

The emblem, adopted in 1869, was designed to commemorate the sacrifices and principles of the Civil War. The central feature is a star reminiscent of the Congressional Medal of Honor, cast from the bronze of cannons—a material choice that imbues the emblem with a deep sense of martial valor.

Upon the face of the medal, the Goddess of Liberty stands as a central figure, embodying the principle of loyalty that guided the Union's cause. Flanking her are a soldier and a sailor in a handshake of fraternity, a powerful representation of the unity between different branches of the military. Below them, two children receive a blessing, an allegory of charity, symbolizing the commitment of the G.A.R. to the welfare of orphans and widows affected by the war.

The emblems of the various service branches radiate from the center, with a bugle for the infantry, a cannon for artillery, muskets for marines, crossed swords for the cavalry, and an anchor for the navy, each point a tribute to the respective arms of the service. The inclusion of the flag and eagle, as well as the ax and fasces (a bundle of rods), further conveys the themes of freedom and union, central tenets for the Republic for which the organization's members fought. This emblem is a tapestry woven with the ideals of loyalty, fraternity, charity, freedom, and union—ideals that were the pillars of the Grand Army of the Republic and its members' post-war lives.

LENHART POST OVERPRINT
Included across the stripes is the following overprint:

Lenhart Post
No. 163
G.A.R.
New York

Lenhart Post No. 163 was a local faction of the G.A.R., stationed in Tottenville, New York. It was one of the many posts established across the country as part of the broader G.A.R. network, which was founded to support Union veterans of the American Civil War. Organized on May 22, 1880, this post was named in honor of John L. Lenhart, a naval chaplain and Tottenville resident who perished during the Civil War, recognized for being the first naval chaplain to die in active service for the United States.

The post served as a sanctuary for camaraderie, remembrance, and support among veterans. Its members, who were among the charter signatories, found in it a platform for advocacy and communal support, embodying the principles of loyalty, fraternity, and charity that the G.A.R. upheld. The post also participated in community events, promoting patriotic education and the welfare of war orphans and widows. With the disbanding of Lenhart Post No. 163 in 1924, a chapter of Tottenville's local history concluded, but the legacy of its namesake and its members' dedication to service and country remains a poignant chapter in the narrative of American veterans' organizations.
 
FORTY-FIVE STAR FLAGS GENERALLY
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 any potential dye transfer from the cotton fabric to 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 our Large Distressed Black and Gold Frame.  

Condition Report: There are signs of aging and wear, with discoloration and staining across the surface.

Collectability Level: The Best – Perfect for Advanced Collectors 
Date of Origin: 1896-1907   
Number of Stars: 45
Associated State: Utah