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Obverse - edit

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Reverse - edit

Reverse - edit

Obverse

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Book Photo

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Book Photo - edit

ZFC0024

U.S. 40 Star Flag - South Dakota Unofficial.

Sub-collection: Star Spangled Banner Flag House

Unofficial U.S. 40 Star Flag - South Dakota.
Before Dakota Territory was finally admitted into the Union, it was split into two separate states - North Dakota and South Dakota. Both were officially admitted on November 2, 1889, as the 39th and 40th states. However, the number of states changed rapidly that year and the next. On November 8, 1889, Montana Territory was admitted as the 41st state; three days later it was followed by Washington as the 42nd state. Then the day before the 42-star flag would have become official, July 3, 1890, Idaho officially became a state. As a result, the 43-star flag became official the next day. The problem was that flag manufacturers had not anticipated Idaho statehood. This flag, one of a pair, was displayed on a pole from a schoolhouse.

Benjamin Harrison, who was president at the time this flag was used, was one of the first American chief executives to speak publicly in favor of displaying the Stars & Stripes in a dignified manner.

Taken from: Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, Page 101

The wool/bunting field of this important flag is composed of 13 horizontal alternating cotton red and white stripes each about 2.5 inches wide, top stripe is red, bottom stripe is red. Inset into the field, and extending through seven stripes from the top, is a dark blue canton (union) 17 inches wide on the fly x 18 inches, with 40 stars, each 2 inches across, printed on the obverse and reverse sides. The stars are set five horizontal rows of eight stars each. The flag is otherwise machine stitched. Circa 1889-1890.

Exhibition History:

First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC0024)
40-Star United States Flag, Unofficial

Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 - GALLERY V
(ZFC0024)
40-Star United States Flag, Unofficial

Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 1996 from the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Collection of Baltimore, MD.



Hoist & Fly

Width of Hoist 31
Length of Fly 46

Union/Canton

Width of Union/Canton 17
Length of Union/Canton 18

Stars

Size of Stars 2

Stripes

Width of 1st Stripe 2.5
Width of 3rd Stripe 2.5
Width of 8th Stripe 2.75
Width of Last Stripe 2.5
Size of Hoist 1.5

Frame

Is it framed? yes
Frame Height 37
Frame Length 53

Stars

Number of Stars 40
How are the stars embeded? Printed
Are there stars on obverse? yes
Are there stars on reverse? yes
Star Pattern horizontal
Star Field Design
  • Rectilinear - Horizontal

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
Comments on Fabric Bunting

Stitching

Stitching Machine

Applica

Applique Sides Single Faced = Mirror Image Reverse

Documentation

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

Research Documents
All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
Public Copy & Signs



Condition

Condition Good
Damage small losses-grime overall+yellow discoloration-Blue dye transfer in hoist area and fly edge
Displayable yes

Date

Date 1890

Exhibits

Exhibition Copy First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC0024)
40-STAR UNITED STATES FLAG, UNOFFICIAL
Date: 1889
Media: Wool bunting with printed stars; machine stitched
Comment: When Dakota Territory was finally admitted into the Union, it split into two separate states, North Dakota and South Dakota, both officially admitted on November 2nd, 1889 as the thirty-ninth and fortieth states. The status of the number of states, however, changed rapidly. On November 8th, 1889, Montana Territory was admitted as the forty-first state, and three days later it was followed by Washington as the forty-second state. Then the day before the forty-two star flag would have been official, Idaho was also admitted, making the forty-three star flag official the next day. This flag is one of a pair of flags displayed on a pole from a school house.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0024) in 1996 from the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Collection of Baltimore, MD.

Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 - GALLERY V
(ZFC0024)
40-Star United States Flag, Unofficial
Date: 1889 40 Stars: Unofficial (South Dakota statehood November 2, 1889)
Media: Wool bunting; machine-stitched with printed stars
Comment: Before Dakota Territory was finally admitted into the Union, it was split into two separate statesNorth Dakota and South Dakota. Both were officially admitted on November 2, 1889, as the thirty-ninth and fortieth states. However, the number of states changed rapidly that year and the next. On November 8, 1889, Montana Territory was admitted as the forty-first state; three days later it was followed by Washington as the forty-second state. Then the day before the 42-star flag would have become official, 3 July 1890, Idaho officially became a state. As a result, the 43-star flag became official the next day. The problem was that flag manufacturers had not anticipated Idaho statehood. This flag, one of a pair, was displayed on a pole from a schoolhouse.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0024) in 1996 from the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Collection of Baltimore, MD
An important flag from the Star Spangled Banner Flag House Collection.

Publications

Publication Copy Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 101.

Unofficial
Before Dakota Territory was finally admitted into the Union, it was split into two separate states: North Dakota and South Dakota. Both were officially admitted on November 2, 1889, as the thirty-ninth and fortieth states. However, the number of states changed rapidly that year and the next. On November 8, 1889, Montana Territory was admitted as the forty-first state; three days later it was followed by Washington as the fortysecond state. Then the day before the 42-star flag would have become official, July 3, 1890, Idaho officially became a state. As a result, the 43-star flag became official the next day. The problem was that flag manufacturers had not anticipated Idaho statehood. This flag, one of a pair, was displayed on a pole from a schoolhouse. Benjamin Harrison, who was president at the time this flag was used, was one of the first American chief executives to speak publicly in favor of displaying the Stars & Stripes in a dignified manner.
Date: 1889
Size: 31" hoist x 46" fly
40 Stars: Unofficial (South Dakota statehood November 2, 1889)
Medium: Wool bunting; machine-stitched with printed stars
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 1996 from the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Collection of Baltimore, MD.
ZFC0024