U.S. 22 Star Flag Converted to a 26 Star Flag

Rare U.S. 22 Star Flag 1819-1820 Converted to a 26 Star Flag.
This U.S. 22 Star Flag was converted to a 26 star flag to represent the new state of Michigan as our 26th State. This handmade wool flag is one of the uncommon of U.S. Flags, a 22 star flag. There was never an official 22 star flag in history. Alabama the 22nd state entered the Union on 14 December 1819 followed quickly by Maine as the 23rd state on 15 March 1820 making then next official flag the 23 star flag.

The few 22 star flags that were made were during the three months and a day period between the admission of Alabama and Maine, and few have survived intact. This exemplar started its existence with stars arranged in horizontal rows of 6-5-6-5. Later it was modified by the addition of four more stars for a total of 26, indicating that this flag was used between 1819 and 1837, when the modifications ended, even though the canton contains room for additional stars.

Flags that were converted or upgraded to keep the star count current are representative of the traits of American individualism, ingenuity and thrift - home made flags represented a commitment of time and materials for individual families, and updating them was an economical way to keep them current.

Provenance:
• Sold via Cowan's Auction, Cincinnati, Ohio, to the Zaricor Flag Collection, 2010.


ZFC Significant Flag

Sources:

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Madaus, Howard M.- Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict, VZ Publications, Santa Cruz, 2006.

Physical Characteristics of Antique Flags, Antique US Flag Assessment Guidelines, Dave Martucci's FLAG PAGES, 9 November 2011, from:
http://www.vexman.net/physical.htm

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection

Hoist & Fly
Width of Hoist	68.5
Length of Fly	116.5

Union/Canton
Width of Union/Canton	38
Length of Union/Canton	40

Stars
Comments on Star Measurements	6/2/5/1/6/1/5 horizontal rows or a "scatter" pattern Was a 6-5-6-5 likely converted to a 24 & then a 26 by the same family

Stripes
Width of 1st Stripe	4.5
Width of 3rd Stripe	4.5
Width of 8th Stripe	5.5
Width of Last Stripe	4.5
Size of Hoist	0.75

Frame
Is it framed?	no

Stars
Number of Stars	22
How are the stars embeded?	Applique
Are there stars on obverse?	yes
Are there stars on reverse?	yes
Comments on Stars	22 stars flag converted to 26 stars flag.

Stripes
Number of Stripes	13
Color of Top Stripe	Red
Color of Bottom Stripe	Red
Has a Blood Stripe?	no
Comments on Stripes	The fly is constructed of 13 hand-sewn, wool stripes

Crest/Emblem
Description of Crest/Emblem	22 star flag converted to a 26

Nationality
Nation Represented	United States

Fabric
Fabric	Wool

Stitching
Stitching	Hand
Comments on Stitching	hand-sewn double-appliqué

Attachment
Comments on Method of Attachmen	no attachment
Method of Attachment	Sleeve

Applica
Applique Sides	Single Faced = Mirror Image Reverse

Documentation
Documents	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
Drawings	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
Research Documents
Public Copy & Signs	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.

Condition
Condition	Fair
Damage	Scattered holes in canton and flag; scattered spotting and staining.
Displayable	yes

Date
Date	1822-1837