U.S. 43 Star Flag - Government Contract Flag.

43 Star U.S. Flag, 1890, with Anticipatory Star Pattern allowing for 48 states.
United States flags with 43 stars are quite rare because they were only official for one year, and because the star count was only current for one week in 1890. This example is a high quality, professionally made, machine sewn wool bunting flag, double appliqué flag. The 43rd star commemorates the state of Idaho which became a state July 3, 1890. Wyoming became the 44th state seven days later, July 10, 1890

This flag bears no maker's mark, but the upper observe hoist is stenciled with a size marking "12FT x 6FT 3 IN". The flag's professional commercial construction and this precise stencil led flag scholar Howard Michael Madaus to believe that this was an early contract flag intended for government use. However, the flag is in excellent condition and thus was likely never used.

Provenance: Acquired at auction from James D. Julia, Fairfield, ME, 4-7 October 2004

ZFC Significant Flag

Sources:

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Madaus, Howard M.- Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict, VZ Publications, Santa Cruz, 2006. p 144.

Conversations with Howard M. Madaus, during flag acquisition and check-in to Zaricor Flag Collection,with James J. Ferrigan III, 10 November 2004.

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection

Hoist & Fly
Width of Hoist	71.5
Length of Fly	141

Union/Canton
Width of Union/Canton	39
Length of Union/Canton	55.5

Stars
Comments on Star Measurements	Star-field 7-7-7-7-7-8. Stars are not sewn through the center
Size of Stars	4

Stripes
Width of 1st Stripe	5.75
Width of 3rd Stripe	5.75
Width of 8th Stripe	5.75
Width of Last Stripe	5.75
Size of Hoist	1.5

Frame
Is it framed?	no

Stars
Number of Stars	43
How are the stars embeded?	Sewn
Are there stars on obverse?	yes
Are there stars on reverse?	yes
Star Pattern	Star-field 7-7-7-7-7-8 horizontal rows. Stars are not sewn through the center

Stripes
Number of Stripes	13
Color of Top Stripe	Red
Color of Bottom Stripe	Red
Has a Blood Stripe?	no

Nationality
Nation Represented	United States

Fabric
Fabric	Wool

Stitching
Stitching	Machine

Weave
Type of Weave	Plain

Attachment
Comments on Method of Attachmen	Grommetts ID 7/16 OD 15/16
Method of Attachment	Headings & Grommets

Applica
Applique Sides	Single Faced = Mirror Image Reverse

Documentation
Documents	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
Drawings	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.

Condition
Condition	Excellent
Damage	Used, some moth holes.
Displayable	yes

Date
Date	1890