Exhibits


Title information is available upon specific request. Additional information available upon request to researchers, writers and others demonstrating special circumstances. In some situations, information may not be available.
Exhibition Copy First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC0174)
32-STAR UNITED STATES FLAG (MODIFIED TO 34 STARS)
Date: 1858-1863
Stars: Stars: July 4, 1858-July 3, 1859 (Minnesota statehood May 11, 1858) 34 Stars: July 4, 1861-July 3, 1863 (Kansas statehood January 29, 1861).
Media: Printed cotton with two additional hand-sewn stars.
The style of manufacture of this flag shows that it began as a 32 Star flag, in honor of Minnesota's admission to the Union on May 11, 1858. The 32 Star flag became official on July 4th that year, but on February 14, 1859, Oregon was admitted to the Union. While the 32-star flag was official for a whole year, some manufacturers may have anticipated the 33-star Oregon flag by making some of them before July 4th, 1859. Because they became obsolete after only one year, many 32-star flags probably remained unsold in manufacturer's inventories for three years. Then, with the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861, demand for 34 Star flags rapidly surpassed the supply. The prudent manufacturer of this printed 32 Star flag cut out several stars from other flags of the same style, hand-stitching two of them between the rows to create a new 34 Star flag. Several other examples of the printed 32 Star flags modified into 34 Star currently survive. Although there is a lack of evidence, there is reason to believe that these printed U.S. flags may have their origins from Annin & Company of New York City, a firm founded in 1847 and still in existence. Made during the presidency of James Buchanan, this flag was in service during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0174) in 1996 from the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Collection of Baltimore, MD.

Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 GALLERY III
(ZFC0174)
32-Star United States Flag, Modified to 34 Stars
Comment:
The style of manufacture of this flag shows that it began as a 32 Star flag, in honor of Minnesota's admission to the Union on May 11, 1858. The 32 Star flag became official on July 4th that year, but on February 14, 1859, Oregon was admitted to the Union. While the 32-star flag was official for a whole year, some manufacturers may have anticipated the 33-star Oregon flag by making some of them before July 4th, 1859. Because they became obsolete after only one year, many 32-star flags probably remained unsold in manufacturer's inventories for three years. Then, with the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861, demand for 34 Star flags rapidly surpassed the supply. The prudent manufacturer of this printed 32 Star flag cut out several stars from other flags of the same style, hand-stitching two of them between the rows to create a new 34 Star flag. Several other examples of the printed 32 Star flags modified into 34 Star currently survive. Although there is a lack of evidence, there is reason to believe that these printed U.S. flags may have their origins from Annin & Company of New York City, a firm founded in 1847 and still in existence. Made during the presidency of James Buchanan, this flag was in service during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0174) in 1996 from the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Collection of Baltimore, MD.

Publications


Title information is available upon specific request. Additional information available upon request to researchers, writers and others demonstrating special circumstances. In some situations, information may not be available.
Publication Copy Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 62.

32-Star United States Flag, Modified to 34 Stars

From its construction it is clear that this began as a 32-star flag, honoring Minnesotas entry into the Union on May 11, 1858. The flag became official on July 4th that year, but on February 14, 1859, Oregon was admitted to the Union. While the 32-star flag was official for a whole year, some manufacturers may have anticipated the new 33-star Oregon flag by making and selling it before July 4th, 1859. Because 32-star flags became obsolete after only one year, many probably remained unsold in manufacturers inventories. Two years after Oregon entered the Union, Kansas was admitted as the 34th state. With the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861, the demand for 34-star flags quickly outstripped supply. The frugal manufacturer of this printed 32-star flag cut out several stars from other flags of the same style, hand-stitching two of them between the rows to create a 34-star flag to meet consumer demand. Other examples survive of printed 32-star flags modified into the 34-star version. Although firm evidence is lacking, there is reason to believe that these printed cotton U.S. flags may have emanated from Annin & Company of New York City, a firm founded in 1847 and still in existence. Made during the presidency of James Buchanan, this flag was in service during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln.
Date: 1858 1863
Size: 41.5" hoist x 74.5" fly
32 Stars: July 4, 1858 July 3, 1859 (Minnesota statehood May 11, 1858)
34 Stars: July 4, 1861-July 3, 1863 (Kansas statehood January 29, 1861)
Media: Printed cotton with two additional hand-sewn stars
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 1996 from the
Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Collection of Baltimore, MD. ZFC0174

Title information is available upon specific request. Additional information available upon request to researchers, writers and others demonstrating special circumstances. In some situations, information may not be available.