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Obverse

Reverse

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ZFC3537

45 Star U.S. Flag or Ensign, Charles Fish.

Sub-collection: Decatur Collection of Military & Naval Service - Spanning 100 years

45 Star U.S. Flag or Ensign, Charles Fish.
From a lot of seven late 19th Century Spanish-American war era flags, along with three bunting flags. This flag descended through the Decatur family and was possibly used by Admiral Dewey. Admiral Dewey was related to the Decatur-Lyre-Goodwin family by marriage. His illustrious naval career began during the Civil War and commenced through the Spanish-American War up until just prior to WWI. He was the only person in the history of the United States to attain the rank of Admiral of the navy, the most senior rank in the United States navy; and he is referred to as the 'Hero of Manila'.

This Spanish-American era, 45-star flag has wool bunting with alternating rows of eight and seven stars. The canvas hoist is stencilled with the original size of the flag (6 x 10) and also ink inscribes the name 'Charles H. Fish'. This was the official flag in the Spanish-American war and commemorated the state of Utah entering the Union in 1896. The flag was official and in use until 1908. It is not known how Charles H. Fish related to the family or what this designation implies. It measures 68 x 108 and, while this flag has definitely seen use, it is still in an acceptable condition. The colors are faded; the blues and reds are no longer vibrant, and are muted. There are some losses, a couple of which are approx. 5 x 5.

ZFC Significant Flag

Sources:



45 Star Flag - (1896-1908) (U.S.), Flags of the world, 14 November 2011, from: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-1896.html

2-Day Winter Antiques & Fine Art Auction, Artfact, 10 October 2011, from: http://www.artfact.com/auction-catalog/2-day-winter-antiques-fine-art-auction,-day-2-kbmiwmy646

Smith, David, A Million-Dollar Map At Julia's Americana, Antiques and the Arts Online, 10 October 2011, from:
http://antiquesandthearts.com/Antiques/AuctionWatch/2010-03-02__14-22-30.html

Parsons, William Decatur, The Decatur Genealogy, New York 1921, with additions by &Stephen Decatur, Marblehead, MA, 2003.

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection



Hoist & Fly

Width of Hoist 89.25
Length of Fly 115.25

Union/Canton

Width of Union/Canton 36.75
Length of Union/Canton 45

Stars

Comments on Star Measurements 8-7-8-7-8-7 horizontal rows

Stripes

Width of 1st Stripe 5.5
Width of 3rd Stripe 5.5
Width of 8th Stripe 5.25
Width of Last Stripe 6
Size of Hoist 1.5

Frame

Is it framed? no

Stars

Number of Stars 45
How are the stars embeded? Sewn
Are there stars on obverse? yes
Are there stars on reverse? yes

Stripes

Number of Stripes 13
Color of Top Stripe Red
Color of Bottom Stripe Red
Has a Blood Stripe? no

Nationality

Nation Represented United States

Fabric

Fabric Wool

Stitching

Stitching Machine

Weave

Type of Weave Plain

Attachment

Comments on Method of Attachmen 2 brass grommets
Method of Attachment Grommets

Applica

Applique Sides Single Faced = Mirror Image Reverse

PDF Files

Documentation


Condition

Condition Good
Damage Used, worn, soiled. frayed, stained and dehydrated.
Displayable yes

Date

Date 1896-1908