Items Similar to 48 Stars Canted to the Right, and Dancing Stars to the Left, ca 1912-1918
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5
48 Stars Canted to the Right, and Dancing Stars to the Left, ca 1912-1918
$2,450
£1,866.95
€2,153.10
CA$3,479.73
A$3,738.78
CHF 2,005.85
MX$44,047.12
About the Item
48 STARS CANTED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT IN DANCING ROWS, A RARE VARIETY OF ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG IN A LARGE SCALE, 1912-1918 OR PERHAPS EARLIER, REFLECTS ARIZONA
NEW MEXICO STATEHOOD
In 1912, President Taft passed an executive order that dictated, for the first time, an official design for the star field for American flags produced for the Department of the Government. This consisted of 6 rows of 8 stars, perfectly lined up, with all stars pointing upward (one point skyward) and having a specified shape (5-pointed).
Before 1912, 48 star flags were sometimes produced in anticipation of the future addition of New Mexico and Arizona. These flags typically have 6 staggered rows of 8 stars, all pointing upward. Between 1912 and WWI (U.S. involvement 1917-18), the same, unofficial, staggered row arrangement can also be encountered, but after this period it fades into history and most all flag-makers adopted the official, rectilinear, 6x8 pattern.
This large scale parade flag, printed on cotton, does not have either one of the two typical star configurations. It has 6 rows of 8 stars, each with 5 points, but the position of the stars on their vertical axis varies from one row to the next. In the first row, the stars all have one point facing towards 11:00. In the next row they have one point facing toward 1:00, alternating back-and-forth from one row to the next throughout the formation. Because the overall effect is similar to lines of dancers, I have termed this configuration "dancing rows," though it may also accurately be referred to as tilting or "canted" rows. This is a very scarce variety and before I found a group of these together on the original bolt, I had never before encountered the pattern in such a large size.
Based on my extensive experience with printed parade flags, and comparison to many other known examples, my educated guess is that this variety may well pre-date the addition of the 47th and 48th states. Some 48 star flags have been found with hand-written and printed dates ranging as early as 1896, a full 16 years before we actually reached that number. At this time there were 4 more Western Territories yet to be added and it was well known that they would eventually gain statehood. From the Civil War onward, it was actually common for flag-makers to produce flags with anticipatory counts like this, including more stars with hopes to influence people to buy new flags.
While dissimilar to the fabric and printing employed in the production of most 45 star parade flags, this 48 star flag is quite similar to some 46 star varieties. I believe this particular design was most likely produced either in the 46 star era (1907-1912), or just following, in the beginning of the 48-star period through WWI. This was a typical size for one-room school houses, to display indoors for general patriotism and the reciting of the pledge of allegiance. They could also be used uncut, as bunting for patriotic events.
Note how the bottom red stripe is wider than the others. This is a product of both the printing and the flag's position on the bolt. Quirky traits like this make early flags more interesting visually and raise desirability among novices and collectors alike.
The 48 star flag became official on July 4th, 1912, and was generally used until the addition of Alaska in 1959. It was the official flag during WWI, WWII (U.S. involvement 1941-45) and the Korean War (1950-53).
A Survey of Other Unusual 48 Star Parade Flags:
Among printed cotton and silk parade flags, a number of others are known that vary from the norm, all of which fall between very scarce and exceptionally rare.
A silk variety is known that has stars that tilt to one side. Well more than 100 of these are known, but they are certainly very scarce.
A cotton variety is known with staggered rows of upside-down stars. Their position may be unintentional, the maker having mistakenly placed the print block in an upside-down position. Whatever the case may be, the feature is rare in printed parade flags with 48 stars.
Another style, known as the Whipple pattern, has an elaborate variation of a medallion design with a 6-pointed "Great Star" configuration in the center, formed from 13 stars, surrounded by a tightly spaced wreath of 25 stars, surrounded by a widely spaced wreath of 10 stars. This style is rare, beautiful, and highly sought-after. Both silk and cotton examples exist.
Other cotton varieties are known with circular patterns, all of which are extremely rare.
One variety is presently unique among known examples. It has 6 rows of 8 stars, each of which have 8 points.
These interesting deviations from the official 48 star design create a great scavenger hunt for the advanced collector, even though the prices generally range in the beginner to intermediate range.
Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples; more than anyone worldwide.
The flag has been hand-stitched to a background of 100% cotton twill, black in color, that was washed and treated for colorfastness. The traditional, scooped profile molding has a matte black surface, a distressed texture, and a silver inner lip. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas).
Condition: There are no significant condition issues.
- Dimensions:Height: 34.5 in (87.63 cm)Width: 44 in (111.76 cm)Depth: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1910-1919
- Date of Manufacture:1912-1918
- Condition:See Item Description.
- Seller Location:York County, PA
- Reference Number:Seller: 48j-10711stDibs: LU849748260622
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1991
1stDibs seller since 2008
71 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: Several days
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: York County, PA
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View All38 Star Antique American Flag, Colorado Statehood, circa 1876-1889
Located in York County, PA
38 star antique American parade flag with scattered star orientation, made of silk, with generous scale and vivid colors, Colorado Statehood, 1876-1889
38 star American national p...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
Price Upon Request
13 Star Antique American Parade Flag, ca 1876-1899
Located in York County, PA
13 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG, WITH A 3-2-3-2-3 CONFIGURATION OF STARS, AN EXTREMELY SCARCE AND UNUSUALLY LARGE VARIETY, MADE circa 1876-1899
13 star American national parade...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Canadian Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Price Upon Request
38 Star American Parade Flags with Stars in a Great Star Pattern
Located in York County, PA
38 STAR AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL VARIATION OF THE “GREAT STAR” OR “GREAT FLOWER” PATTERN, 4 LARGE CORNER STARS, & AN ODD OUTLIER, 1876-1889, COLORADO STATEHOOD,...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
Price Upon Request
13 Star Medallion Patter Antique American Flag, ca 1910-1926
Located in York County, PA
13 STARS IN A MEDALLION PATTERN ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG MADE BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 1910 AND THE 1926 SESQUICENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
13 star American national p...
Category
Early 20th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
42 Hand Sewn Stars on An Antique American Flag ca 1889-1890
Located in York County, PA
42 HAND-SEWN STARS ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A TWO-TONE, DUSTY BLUE CANTON, REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF WASHINGTON STATE, MONTANA, AND THE DAKOTAS, NEVER AN OFFICIAL STAR COUNT, ...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
Price Upon Request
45 Upside-Down Star on An Antique American Flag, Utah State, ca 1896-1908
Located in York County, PA
45 UPSIDE-DOWN STARS ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG MADE IN THE ERA OF THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR (1898), WHEN UTAH WAS THE MOST RECENT STATE TO JOIN THE UNION, circa 1896-1908
45 star A...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
You May Also Like
31-Star Printed American Flag, Celebrating California Statehood, Circa 1850
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a rare 31-star medallion printed American flag, celebrating the addition of California to the Union. The flag is printed on silk and has a spectacular “Great Star” canton pat...
Category
Antique 1850s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
42-Star American Parade Flag, Commemorating Washington Statehood, 1889
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is an uncommon 42-star flag, commemorating the addition of the state of Washington to the Union. The flag dates to 1889-1890, and is printed on cotton. The canton consists of s...
Category
Antique 1880s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton
Antique 1912 Wool 48-Star American Flag, Rare Pre-Standard Collectible
Located in Doha, QA
This exceptional historic American flag, measuring 145 cm by 83 cm, is most likely made before 1912, based on its early craftsmanship and material characteristics. The unevenly arran...
Category
Early 20th Century American Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
Rare Antique 45-Star American Flag Hand-Painted on Cotton, Spanish-American War
Located in Doha, QA
This exceptional and exceedingly scarce 45-star American flag, commemorating Utah’s admission as the 45th state in 1896, represents one of the earliest surviving examples of a hand-p...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Cotton, Glass, Wood, Paint
44-Star Silk American Flag, Celebrating Wyoming Statehood, Circa 1890-1896
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a 44-star silk American flag, commemorating Wyoming statehood. The flag dates to 1890-1896. The flag has an “8-7-7-7-7-8” star configuration, with the stars whimsically ...
Category
Antique 1890s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Silk
19th Century American 42 Star Flag, circa 1889
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century American 42 Star Flag, circa 1889, printed on linen period flag in the "Dancing Star" pattern. This was never an official U.S. flag sanctioned b y congress, but was made...
Category
Antique 1880s American Federal Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Materials
Linen
