Frame Size (H x L): 27” x 35.5”
Flag Size (H x L): 16” x 24.5”

Offered is an extremely scarce forty-one star parade flag.  It is printed on cotton and dates to 1889.  Its stars are arranged in a canted 5-4-5-4-5-4-5-4-5 pattern.  It is an unusual arrangement, in that it includes seven rows of stars, rather than the much more common arrangement of six total rows. 

In 1889, the Dakota Territory was split it into two states: North Dakota and South Dakota, and they were both admitted on November 2^nd, 1889.  Just six days later, on November 8^th, 1889 Montana was admitted as the forty-first state, making the forty-star flag almost immediately obsolete.  And then, just three days later, on November 11th, 1889, Washington was admitted as the forty-second state, making the forty-one star flag almost immediately obsolete. 

As a result of this rapid succession of state admissions, flag makers made large quantities of forty-two star flags, but hardly any forty or forty-one star flags.  In fact, there are only a few known examples of printed forty-one star flags in circulation—probably fewer than twenty—and, thus, they are very desirable to even the most advanced of collectors.      

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: This offering is in our X-Large Distressed Black and Silver Frame.

Condition Report: There is light fading and a few small stains.  There is a small tear, located in the upper left of the canton.  Overall, this flag is in excellent condition and age appropriate.   

Collectability Level: The Best – Perfect for Advanced Collectors  
Date of Origin: 1889 
Number of Stars: 40
Associated War: Indian Wars (1860-1890)  
Associated State: Montana