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This beautiful late period medallion flag of 44 stars dates to the last decade of the 19th century.  Medallion pattern flags became very popular during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865, and reached the peak of their popularity during the American Centennial in 1876, when flag manufacturers created many fantastic variants of the type in order to impress and please patriotic Americans celebrating the 100th anniversary of our nation's founding.  By the 1890s, when this flag was made, flags were typically made with cantons of stars in straight rows, which is the expected pattern most often seen on flags of 42, 44, 45, 46, and 48 star flags. (Flags of 43 and 47 stars are very rare, but are also usually found in straight row patterns when examples occasionally turn up.)

This flag is an example of a "wreath within a square" pattern, with the four large corner stars anchoring an outer "box" of stars.  The box contains a double wreath of stars, which in turn surround the large center star.  The bold large corner stars, and the mass of inner stars which fill the canton make it a particularly beautiful medallion flag.  The entire flag is made of cotton, with machine stitched stripes and hand stitched stars.  The hoist of the flag is made of thick cotton and has five circular whip-stitched grommets, each sewn around an inner ring to maintain its shape and rigidity.  The flag is in exceptional condition for its age. It is a wonderfully graphic and beautiful late period medallion and is among the very best of all surviving examples of the 44 star count.


 
Learn more about Medallion Flags. Star Count:  44

Date:  1891-1896

War Era:  None

Statehood:  Wyoming

Construction:  Cotton Canton, Stripes and Stars

Catalog Number:  IAS-00389

Learn more about flags with Center Stars.

Next:
13 Stars in a Rare
4-5-4 Pattern, c1890


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