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 American
flags with cantons containing stars of varying sizes are
rare. The effect is visually captivating because
it's not typically what we see and know today, having
become accustomed to the regimented layout of the modern
American flag. This beautiful 38 star flag dates
to the period of the American Centennial during the of
height of exuberant designs on American flags. The
construction of the flag is a bit of a mystery.
The flag's stripes are treadle sewn and made of wool
bunting, which is expected on a manufactured flag of the
era. But the stars of the canton are very unusual,
and more typical of a homemade flag. The 20 larger
stars are made of cotton and sewn on using a lineal
treadle stitch. Some of these larger stars have a
single line of stitching, while others have two lines of
stitching around the edge. The stitching does not
cross the centers of the stars, but simply outlines the
stars. The smaller stars are made of a stiff,
polished cotton. They are crudely cut and most are
glued onto the flag, though a few replacement stars are
crudely hand stitched. The canton doesn't show
evidence of having larger stars removed and replaced
with smaller stars. The circumstances that led to
this flag's unique design and construction techniques
will likely never be known, but the effect is both
unique and charming. Two unfilled spaces at the
bottom of the flag were likely intended to receive stars
39 and 40, but they remain vacant and the flag ended up
with 38, possibly due to the relatively long 13 year
period between the entry of Colorado, 38, in 1876 and
the Dakotas, 39 and 40, in 1889. Regardless of the
reason for the design and construction of this flag, the
flag remains a unique expression of patriotism and
whimsical flag design made during the years of optimism
and celebration during the American Centennial era. |
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Next:
A Rare 15 Star Liberation Flag
Pacific Theater, World War II |
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