39 Star Elongated United States Flag For Sale

39 Star Elongated United States Parade Flag- Has faded color, staining, and the print is not perfectly square. It is old… Very rare 1876 Centennial Celebration Circa- Alternating vertical star pattern 7,6,7,6,7,6- Measures 12”x 17.5"- Will be shipped rolled in a cardboard tube to reduce folding

In 1876 it was anticipated that two new states would be added to the union, Colorado and North Dakota. On August 1, 1876 only Colorado was added bringing the star count to 38, not 39. Some flag manufacturers had already made 39 star flags, many of them preparing for the Centennial Celebration. Flag makers did not care what was official and often tried to get a step ahead of their completion by getting there flag version out first, especially before the Centennial Celebration while patriotism was at a peak. In 1876 the 39 star flags were potentially more common than 38 star flags. Some 39 star elongated flags with this pattern and size made their way into Centennial Celebration quilts, or they where placed into storage in the event that another state would be added. This implies that this flag is from 1876, not 1889, the second period in history where different 39 star flags where produced anticipating North Dakota's addition. However in 1889 four states where added, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington. This changed the star count from 38 to 42 stars, making the 39 star flag unofficial but an amazing part of American history.

39 star American parade flag, printed on cotton bunting. This is one of only three styles known that use stars in two different sizes to make columns of equal height, all of which occur in the 39 star count and were probably produced by the same maker. Of equal interest is the exaggerated length of this particular design, which adds considerable impact to its unique graphics.