42-Star Printed American Flag, Celebrating Washington Statehood, 1890

Presented is a printed 42-star cotton American flag. The flag celebrates Washington statehood and dates to circa 1890.  The blue canton has 6 uniformly spaced rows of 7 white stars. The flag design is completed with 13 alternating red and white stripes, to represent the 13 original colonies.

The 42-star flag is interesting from a historical perspective, because 42 was never an official star count. 42-star flags were only produced for 8 months, from November 1889 to July 4, 1890. The 42nd state was officially Washington, but four states gained their statehood only nine days apart. North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Washington were all admitted to the union between November 2 and November 11, 1889. As such flag makers added four stars, accordingly, to the previously official 38-star flag.

After 1818, star counts became official on the 4th of July each year. A new star was therefore officially added on Independence Day for every state that had been added over the preceding "flag year". Flag makers, however, did not wait for Independence Day and "official" star counts. Flag making was a competitive industry, and no one wanted to be making 38 star flags when their competitors were making 42 star flags. On many occasions, particularly in the last quarter of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century, flag-makers would speculate the number of states that were going to be added and add the stars before they were official. It was for this precise reason that 42 was never an official star count. Idaho received statehood on July 3, 1890, taking the star count to 43 just one day before 42 would have become the official number. This fact makes 42 star flags an interesting part of our heritage and a classic display of American capitalism.

CONDITION:

Very good condition, 42-Star flag, printed on cotton linen. Dark blue canton, featuring six rows each comprising seven white stars each. Margins retained on either end. Very little wear or fading, some small scattered spots of discoloration. Unframed Dimensions: 12" H x 17 1/2" W.

The flag has been archivally mounted in a custom-built wooden frame, with UV Conservation clear glass and a custom metal plaque.

Framed Dimensions: 18 3/4"H x 24"W x 1 3/8"D.  

Accompanied by our company’s letter of authenticity.