Unofficial U.S. 40 Star Flag - South Dakota.
Before Dakota Territory was finally admitted into the Union, it was split into two separate states - North Dakota and South Dakota. Both were officially admitted on November 2, 1889, as the 39th and 40th states. However, the number of states changed rapidly that year and the next. On November 8, 1889, Montana Territory was admitted as the 41st state; three days later it was followed by Washington as the 42nd state. Then the day before the 42-star flag would have become official, July 3, 1890, Idaho officially became a state. As a result, the 43-star flag became official the next day. The problem was that flag manufacturers had not anticipated Idaho statehood. This flag, one of a pair, was displayed on a pole from a schoolhouse.

Benjamin Harrison, who was president at the time this flag was used, was one of the first American chief executives to speak publicly in favor of displaying the Stars & Stripes in a dignified manner.

Taken from: Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, Page 101

The wool/bunting field of this important flag is composed of 13 horizontal alternating cotton red and white stripes each about 2.5 inches wide, top stripe is red, bottom stripe is red. Inset into the field, and extending through seven stripes from the top, is a dark blue canton (union) 17 inches wide on the fly x 18 inches, with 40 stars, each 2 inches across, printed on the obverse and reverse sides. The stars are set five horizontal rows of eight stars each. The flag is otherwise machine stitched. Circa 1889-1890.

Exhibition History:

First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC0024)
40-Star United States Flag, Unofficial

Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 - GALLERY V
(ZFC0024)
40-Star United States Flag, Unofficial

Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection in 1996 from the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Collection of Baltimore, MD.