39 Star Antique American Flag. Never An Official Star Count.
This Tumbling Star Pattern. Print on fine linen. Some wear and loss, otherwise good condition. 24"w x 14"h. 39 star flags were made at two different times during the late 19th century. The first were made in 1876 in anticipation of the addition of two new states added to the existing 37. Only one of these states, Colorado, was added on August 1st of that year, which brought the star count to 38. The Dakotas would not come for another 13 years, which meant that the 39 star flags made in this year (1876) were soon defunct. Thirteen years later, in 1889, manufacturers again made 39 star flags in anticipation of the Dakota Territory coming into the Union as one State. On November 2nd of 1889, however, the Dakotas came in as two different states (North & South) bringing the count to 40 stars (States), which forever rendered 39 star flags both inaccurate and unofficial." Est. $900-1,200. Ship: $55 (Information about the flag from Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques Website)