The forty-two star U.S. national flag was technically not official, since Idaho Territory was admitted as the forty-third state one day before it would have been legal on July 4th 1890. Nevertheless, in the absence of communications regarding Idaho's admission, several flag makers and numerious individuals prepared 42 star flags. This noteworthy flag is recorded as to have been privately made by Quakers in 1890-1891.

The field is made of wool/bunting and is composed of thirteen, horizontal, alternating red and white stripes, commencing and ending with red. Inset into the upper, hoist corner and extending through the topmost seven stripes is a medium blue bunting canton (union), (???) inches wide on the fly by (???) inches high on the hoist, bearing forty-two (42) white, 5 pointed appliqued cotton stars, each (???) across their points, and arranged in six generally vertical rows with sattered stars haphazardly added between some of the rows. A (???) inch wide white cotton heading finishes the hoist edge.

Superior Court Judge John T. Ball, of Santa Clara County, California, acquired this flag. Framed (outside dimensions 57 x 75).

Exhibition History
First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC0595)
42-STAR UNITED STATES FLAG, UNOFFICIAL
Date: 1889-1890
Medium: Wool bunting and cotton; machine stitched
Comment: On November 11th, 1889, just three days after Montana was admitted to the Union, Washington Territory also was admitted, becoming the forty-second state. For several months it appeared that there would be no further changes in the star count of the new flag to become official on July 4th, 1890, and several flag makers prepared forty-two star flags in anticipation of the new official forty-two stars. Then, on July 3rd, 1890, Idaho was admitted into the Union, only one day shy of the official change date. Suddenly the forty-two star flags that had been prepared were obsolete.
Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0595) in 2002 from the collection of Judge John T. Ball of San Jose, CA.


Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 - GALLERY V
(ZFC0595)
42-Star United States Flag, Unofficial

Date: 18891890 42 Stars: Unofficial (Washington statehood November 11, 1889)
Media: Wool bunting and cotton; machine-stitched
Comment: On November 11, 1889, just three days after Montana was admitted to the Union, Washington Territory followed, becoming the forty-second state. For several months it appeared that there would be no further changes in the star count of the new flag, which was to become official on July 4th, 1890. Several flag makers prepared 42-star flags in anticipation of the two new states. When on July 3, 1890, Idaho was admitted to the Uniononly one day shy of the official change datesuddenly the 42-star flags that had been manufactured in anticipation of Independence Day celebrations were obsolete without ever having been official. This particular flag was handmade by Quakers.

Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0595) in 2002 from the collection of Judge John T. Ball of San Jose, CA.

Publication History:

Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 104.

42-Star United States Flag Unofficial

On November 11, 1889, just three days after Montana was admitted to the Union, Washington Territory followed, becoming the forty-second state. For several months it appeared that there would be no further changes in the star count of the new flag, which was to become official on July 4th, 1890. Several flag makers prepared 42-star flags in anticipation of the four new states. Then on July 3, 1890, Idaho was admitted to the Uniononly one day shy of the official change date. Suddenly the 42-star flags
that had been manufactured in anticipation of Independence Day celebrations were obsolete without ever having been official. This particular flag was handmade by Quakers, during the presidency of Benjamin Harrison. Its star pattern weaves between an organized beginning and a chaotic ending.

Date: 1889 1890
Size: 57" hoist x 75" fly
42 Stars: Unofficial (Washington statehood November 11, 1889)
Media: Wool bunting and cotton; machine-stitched
Provenance:
Acquired by the Zaricor Flag
Collection in 2002 from the
collection of Judge John T. Ball
of San Jose, CA.
ZFC0595

ZFC Noteworthy Flag
Item is Framed