These period example 41star United States flags were made to indicate the admission of Montana as the 41st state on November 8, 1889; they would remain accurate until the admission of Washington on November 11, 1889, a period of only three days, consequently 41 star flags are extremely rare.
These are a printed, uncut section from a bolt of 41-star cotton flags. These uncut printed flags are unusual and show the fate that befell many of the 41-star flags once they became obsolete only three days after Montana was admitted to the Union; they were used as patriotic yard goods. Stars in each flag are arranged in a vertical pattern: 5-4-5-4-5-4-5-4-5.
Acquired at Wesley Cowan auction. Companion piece to ZFC1381 41 stars circa 1880s.
Exhibition History
First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC1380 and ZFC 1381)
41-STAR FLAG HAT AND 41-STAR APRON FLAG DERIVATIVES
Date: 1889-1890
Media: Cotton with printed stars; machine sewn
Comment: Flag Derivatives, i.e. items that display the United States flag or portions thereof but which are not intended to be flown from a staff, were common in American folk culture especially during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. This hat and fan represent examples of such devices from the period 1889-1890, probably produced for one of the Congressional races that took place in 1890.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1380 and ZFC 1381) in 1997 from C. Wesley Cowan of Cincinnati, OH.
Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 - GALLERY V
(ZFC1380 and ZFC1381)
41-Star Flag Hat and 41-Star Apron (Flag Derivatives)
Date: 18891890 41 Stars: Unofficial (Montana statehood November 8, 1889)
Media: Cotton with printed stars; machine-sewn
Comment: Flag derivatives are non-flag items that incorporate the symbols and/or colors of the United States flag (or portions thereof.) They are not intended to be flown from a staff, but still evoke the same general patriotic response that the flag elicits. Such items became common in American folk culture, especially during the last quarter of the 19th century. This hat and fan are two among dozens of possible examples of such derivatives from the period 1889-1890, quite possibly produced for use in one of the Congressional races that took place in anticipation of the 1890 elections.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1380 and ZFC1381) in 1997 from C. Wesley Cowan of Cincinnati, OH.
Publication History:
Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 102.
41-Star Flag Hat and Apron
(Flag Derivatives)
Flag derivatives are non-flag items that incorporate the symbols and/or colors of the United States flag (or portions thereof). They are not intended to be flown from a staff, but still evoke the same general patriotic response that the flag elicits. Such items became common in American folk culture, especially during the last quarter of the 19th century. This hat and apron are but two of among dozens of possible examples of such derivatives from the period 1889 1890. They were quite possibly produced for use in one of the 1890 Congressional races. Widespread, occasionally humorous, use of the flag, especially in advertising commercial products led Congress, by 1890, to consider restrictions to prohibit such desecration. On February 20, 1905 a Public Law prohibiting use of the U.S. flag and other national symbols in trademarks was adopted.The use of the flag in fashion, though not prohibited by this legislation, diminished but did not disappear entirely during the first half of the 20th century. However, during the last four decades of that century flag fashion re-emerged as a powerful statement of popular fashion. Cultural self-expression and popular
fashion are protected by the Constitution.
Date: 1889 1890
Size: 8.5" x 10.5"
41 Stars: Unofficial (Montana statehood November 8, 1889)
Medium: Cotton with printed stars; machine-sewn
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 1997 from C. Wesley Cowan of Cincinnati, OH.
ZFC1380
ZFC Important FLAG
