Obverse - edit
Reverse - edit
Obverse
Reverse
Obverse Detail Left
Obverse Detail Midd
Obverse Detail Righ
Obverse Star
Obverse - Book
Book Photo
Obverse
Obverse - edit 2
Obverse - edit 3
Obverse - edit 4
U.S. 38 Star Flag - J. Wright.
Sub-collection: Star Spangled Banner Flag HouseU.S. 38 Star Flag - J. Wright.
The wool/bunting field of this important flag is composed of 13 horizontal alternating red and white stripes each about 3 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) 30 inches wide on the fly x 20.5 inches, with 38 stars, each 2.25 inches across, reverse dye printed on the obverse and reverse sides, in five horizontal rows: 8-7-8-7-8, with the stars vertically aligned as well, the initial space in the second and fourth rows being devoid of a star . The those portions of the flag requiring sewing are machine stitched. The flag is finished with a white canvas heading, 2 inches wide with a brass grommet at each end [this needs to be verified]. Stenciled on the heading is the marking "Patented. Apr, 26th, 1870". This refers to a patent for "press dying" fabrics,held by John Holt, but consigned to the United States Bunting Company of Lowell, Massachusetts. Date: 1877 - 1890.
Text on heading obverse:
It is marked "American Ensign"
Patented Apr 26th 1870
Handwritten: J. Wright
Later marking: X21
Flag House Identification number sewed to hoist: M.X.X.I. Framed (outside dimensions 48.5 x 67.5).
ZFC Important Flag
Item is Framed
Exhibition History.
First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC0012)
38-STAR UNITED STATES FLAG
Publication History:
Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 99.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0012) in 1996 from the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Collection of Baltimore, MD.
Hoist & Fly | |
|---|---|
| Width of Hoist | 38 |
| Length of Fly | 62 |
Union/Canton | |
|---|---|
| Width of Union/Canton | 30 |
| Length of Union/Canton | 20.5 |
Stars | |
|---|---|
| Size of Stars | 2.25 |
Stripes | |
|---|---|
| Width of 1st Stripe | 3.25 |
| Width of 3rd Stripe | 2.75 |
| Width of 8th Stripe | 2.25 |
| Width of Last Stripe | 3.25 |
| Size of Hoist | 2 |
Frame | |
|---|---|
| Is it framed? | yes |
| Frame Height | 48.5 |
| Frame Length | 67.5 |
Stars | |
|---|---|
| Number of Stars | 38 |
| How are the stars embeded? | Printed |
| Are there stars on obverse? | yes |
| Are there stars on reverse? | yes |
| Star Pattern | 8-7-8-7-8 Star Pattern |
Stripes | |
|---|---|
| Number of Stripes | 13 |
| Color of Top Stripe | Red |
| Color of Bottom Stripe | Red |
| Has a Blood Stripe? | no |
| Comments on Stripes | Stripe #7 : 3.5" Canton sowed into the stripes 2 large pieces to complete the stripes |
Nationality | |
|---|---|
| Nation Represented | United States |
Fabric | |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Wool |
| Comments on Fabric | Bunting |
Stitching | |
|---|---|
| Stitching | Machine |
Attachment | |
|---|---|
| Method of Attachment | Sleeve |
Documentation | |
|---|---|
| Documents |
   |
| Drawings |
All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
|
Condition | |
|---|---|
| Condition | Good |
| Damage | Small losses that do not structurally weaken flag. Overall grime, soil, yellow discoloration. |
| Displayable | yes |
Date | |
|---|---|
| Date | Circa 1876 |
Exhibits | |
|---|---|
| Exhibition Copy | Exhibition History First Presidio Exhibit (ZFC0012) 38-STAR UNITED STATES FLAG Date: About 1880-1890 Media: Wool bunting press dyed and machine sewn Comment: The star arrangement of this flag agrees to the pattern stipulated for the post flag in the 1889 U.S. Army Quartermaster Department specifications. However, the size of the post flag was considerably larger than this flag, which is only 4' by 5'. The flags heading is marked Patented Apr. 26th, 1870, a reference to John Holts patent for press dyeing flags, which patent was under the control of the United States Bunting Company. It is thought that the U.S. Bunting Company may have prepared flags of this star pattern to interest other governmental departments in having flags with the same star arrangement as used by the Army; however, that speculation is not documented at this time. Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0012) 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. 99. 38-Star Press-Dyed United States Flag The star pattern of this flag conforms to the one stipulated for the post flag in the 1889 U.S. Army Quartermaster Departments specifications. However, the official size of the post flag was considerably larger than this flag, which is only 3' by 5'. The post flag was the one normally flown at all Army installations. It was smaller than the garrison flag used on special occasions but larger than a storm flag, hoisted in increment weather. All three had the same design. The heading on this flag is marked Patented Apr. 26th, 1870. This is a reference to John Holts process for press-dyeing flags, the patent for which was under the control of the United States Bunting Company. That firm may have prepared flags of this star pattern in the hope of interesting other government departments in the purchase of flags with the same star arrangement as was used by the Army. However, that speculation has not yet been documented. Like many details concerning United States national flag history, the facts of the situation may some day be learned from some yet undiscovered archival material. The population of the country was just over 50 million people in 1880; it had increased to 63 million people by the 1890 census. Date: About 1880 1890 Size: 38" hoist x 62" fly 38 Stars: July 4, 1877 July 3, 1890 (Colorado statehood August 1, 1876) Media: Wool bunting; press-dyed and machine-sewn Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 1996 from the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Collection of Baltimore, MD. ZFC0012 |