Price: Call 618-553-2291, or email info@bonsellamericana.com
Frame Size (H x L): 12.5” x 19.5”
Flag Size (H x L): 7” x 12”

Offered is a 46-star flag printed on silk, displaying a vibrant blue canton and deep red stripes. The stars are arranged in an 8-7-8-8-7-8 lineal configuration. Those in the first, third, fourth, and sixth rows tilt slightly to the 11:00 position, while those in the second and fifth rows tilt toward 1:00, creating the subtle movement often seen in printed silk parade flags.

The flag features an overprint across the lower white stripes. An overprint is text applied directly to the surface of an existing flag—either the canton or stripes—and appears most frequently on cotton, silk, or paper parade flags produced between roughly 1860 and the early 1900s. Overprints were used for political campaigns, fraternal organizations, civic events, commercial promotions, and historical anniversaries. The text on this example, printed across the bottom three white stripes, reads:

ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE
BIRTHDAY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, FEBRUARY 12, 1909
LINCOLN PARK CHAPTER, No. 177, R.A.M.

The text marks the centennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. Born February 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky, Lincoln spent his early years on Sinking Spring Farm and Knob Creek. His father, Thomas Lincoln—a carpenter and farmer—faced repeated land-title disputes, a common challenge in early Kentucky. These difficulties, along with clearer property laws in the Indiana Territory, led the family to relocate there in 1814. It was in Indiana that Lincoln’s formative years unfolded, shaped by manual labor, limited schooling, and exposure to frontier legal and social conditions.

By 1909, Lincoln had long been established as a central figure in American history, and the centennial of his birth was widely observed. States formed official commissions; cities organized parades, exhibitions, school programs, and public addresses; and numerous organizations produced commemorative items such as medals, badges, banners, and printed textiles. These efforts reflected the period’s interest in national memory and civic instruction.

The issuing body identified on this flag—the Lincoln Park Chapter No. 177 of the Royal Arch Masons—participated in Chicago’s local centennial activities. Royal Arch Masonry, part of the broader Masonic tradition, emphasized moral instruction, civic engagement, and charitable work. Fraternal organizations played a significant role in public life in the early 20th century, often sponsoring patriotic events and distributing commemorative materials. Overprinting a 46-star flag for the Lincoln Centennial was consistent with national practice, in which existing patriotic forms were adapted to mark historical anniversaries.

The 46-star count represents the admission of Oklahoma to the Union. Oklahoma became a state on November 16, 1907, and the 46-star flag became official on July 4, 1908, following the federal rule that new stars appear on Independence Day after admission. The region’s path to statehood was complex. Indian Territory had been established as a destination for tribes removed from the Southeast, including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole. Under the Dawes Act and related legislation, tribal lands were allotted to individuals, and large “surplus” tracts were opened to non-Native settlement. The Indian Appropriations Act of 1889 authorized the first major opening of these lands and led to the Oklahoma Land Rush. Those who entered early came to be known as “Sooners,” a term later associated with the state.

Population growth, rail expansion, and federal policy ultimately led to the consolidation of Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory into a single state. Although the 46-star flag became official in 1908, manufacturers prepared for statehood in advance, producing 46-star designs prior to formal adoption—a widespread practice in the flag trade.

The 46-star flag flew during the presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. Its period of official use was short, ending on July 4, 1912, when the 48-star flag superseded it after the admission of New Mexico and Arizona. The brief lifespan of the 46-star flag, combined with transitional national conditions at the time, contributes to its relative scarcity among parade flags of the period.

Overprinted 46-star parade flags are rarer still. Overprinting required an additional production step, was commonly done for a single event or organization, and these flags were typically used in outdoor processions where loss and damage were common. When paired with a specific Lincoln Centennial reference and a clear issuing chapter, the result is a well-documented and desirable example. Few 46-star parade flags survive with fraternal overprints of this type, and fewer still in the level of condition seen here.

Another example of this particular flag is highlighted in Richard Pierce’s collection and featured in a full page photo on page 56 of his book, the Stars and Stripes: Fabric of the American Spirit. Pierce has been collecting American parade flags since 1991, and has one of the leading collections thereof.

Conservation Process: This flag was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board.  To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the flag, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash.  The flag is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: The flag is housed in an antique ripple-molded frame dating to the mid-19th century. The surface exhibits a dark, burnished finish with characteristic undulating contours that catch light and emphasize the period workmanship.

Condition Report: The flag survives in outstanding condition, with strong, saturated colors and exceptionally well-preserved silk. The overprint remains crisp and clear, and the fabric shows only minimal, age-appropriate handling. Overall, it is an unusually fine example when compared to most surviving 46-star parade flags of this period.

Collectability Level: The Best – Perfect for Advanced Collectors
Date of Origin: 1909
Number of Stars: 46
Associated State: Oklahoma