Frank & Eileen

Antique 42-Star American Flag (WA)

Description: 42-Star American Flag, representing the admission of Washington State to the Union in November 1889. Printed cotton - believed to be original - mounted to board with navy matting and painted black wooden frame measuring 17-1/4 x 23 in. Small chips to frame and some staining to flag, overall very good vintage condition. An exceptional find. Rare and unusual, this flag was never considered an official flag of the US as official flags were only adopted once a year on July 4th and Idaho was admitted to the Union as the 43rd state on July 3rd, 1890. Historical reference from rareflags.com: Beginning with the Third Flag Act of 1818, the tradition of adding a star for each new state added to the Union became the customary way of updating the American Flag. Under unusual circumstances, some star counts on American flags are considered "Unofficial". This is a result of the guidelines specified by the Third Flag Act for adding new stars to the flag. The act of 1818 decreed that upon "the admission of every new state into the Union, one star be added to the union of the flag; and that such addition shall take effect of the fourth day of July then next succeeding such admission." On a few rare occasions, however, more than one state was added to the Union within the same year, prior to the 4th of July. Such was the case when Washington State entered the Union on November 11, 1889. At the time, 38 stars was still the official star count on the American Flag. North Dakota and South Dakota entered the Union on November 2, 1889, bringing the count from 38 to 40. Just 6 days later, on November 8, 1889, Montana became the 41st state, and then, just 3 days later, on November 11, 1889, Washington State became number 42. For 243 days, the United States had 42 states, but just one day before Washington State's 42 would have become official, on July 3, 1890, Idaho entered the Union as the 43rd state. Consequently, the 42 star flag representing Washington Statehood never became official, despite having a period of 243 days with 42 states. Flag manufacturers often disregarded the "official" star count, and produced flags and sold flags that were current regardless of the official national star count.

Price: 1495 USD

Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina

End Time: 2024-04-05T00:33:17.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD

Product Images

Antique 42-Star American Flag (WA)Antique 42-Star American Flag (WA)Antique 42-Star American Flag (WA)Antique 42-Star American Flag (WA)Antique 42-Star American Flag (WA)

Item Specifics

All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted

Country/Region of Manufacture: United States

Recommended

17” Antique German K Star R 126 42 BL SL Eyes Compo 5 Piece Baby Body Mohair SC4
17” Antique German K Star R 126 42 BL SL Eyes Compo 5 Piece Baby Body Mohair SC4

$245.00

View Details
Vintage O'Shea Westwood NJ Stars Silver Blue Cowboys Baseball Jersey Patch #30
Vintage O'Shea Westwood NJ Stars Silver Blue Cowboys Baseball Jersey Patch #30

$125.00

View Details
Western Cowboy Belt Antique Star Conchos Genuine Leather Belt 1-1/2" wide
Western Cowboy Belt Antique Star Conchos Genuine Leather Belt 1-1/2" wide

$44.95

View Details
Star City Black Red Pinstripe Long Sleeve Blazer Sz L Juniors Vtg 80s Lightweigh
Star City Black Red Pinstripe Long Sleeve Blazer Sz L Juniors Vtg 80s Lightweigh

$4.50

View Details
Rock super stars 1976 rock and roll large collage poster vintage Inv#1660
Rock super stars 1976 rock and roll large collage poster vintage Inv#1660

$174.98

View Details
1950s Black Sheer Organza Party Dress Stars Medium Collar With Belt Vintage
1950s Black Sheer Organza Party Dress Stars Medium Collar With Belt Vintage

$104.00

View Details
1942 Rita Hayworth Dancing Star Coloring Book Antique Movie Star 15x10" Fashion
1942 Rita Hayworth Dancing Star Coloring Book Antique Movie Star 15x10" Fashion

$39.99

View Details
Antique 46 Star American Flag Silk In Quality Wood Glass Frame 32x42 Flag 24x32
Antique 46 Star American Flag Silk In Quality Wood Glass Frame 32x42 Flag 24x32

$325.00

View Details
Star of David Jewish Israeli SINGLE Vintage Cuff Link replace lost/broken zb42
Star of David Jewish Israeli SINGLE Vintage Cuff Link replace lost/broken zb42

$29.49

View Details
*HOT VTG Men's BARBOUR @ A123 GAMEFAIR WAXED PLAID LINED OLIVE COAT Jacket C42 L
*HOT VTG Men's BARBOUR @ A123 GAMEFAIR WAXED PLAID LINED OLIVE COAT Jacket C42 L

$145.00

View Details