U.S. 47 Star Flag - New Mexico's Statehood.
On January 6, 1912, New Mexico became the 47th state admitted into the Union. No official 47-star flag ever existed, however, because Arizona entered the Union as the 48th state on February 14 of the same year. The official changes to the flag on July 4, 1912 simultaneously recognized both admissions with its total of 48 stars.

Evidently at least one major flag manufacturer had prepared 47-star flags, perhaps in anticipation that Arizona's admission would be delayed, as illustrated by this example. At one point it was anticipated that Arizona and New Mexico might enter the Union as a single state. Because they were unofficial and only produced briefly, 47-star flags are quite rare. This flag was made during the presidency of William H. Taft.

Taken from Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p.115

Superior Court Judge John T. Ball, of Santa Clara County, California, acquired this important flag.

Exhibition History:

First Presidio Exhibit
(ZFC0600)
47-Star United States Flag, Unofficial

Second Presidio Exhibit, 2003 - GALLERY VI
(ZFC0600)
47-Star United States Flag, Unofficial

Display/Presentation History:
This flag's image was displayed in the presentation at the 6th Annual Flag Symposium sponsored by The Flag House and Star Spangled Banner Museum, in Baltimore, MD, April 9, 2005. The presentation was made by Howard Madaus on The Other 48s a look at the evolution of the 48 star US Flag and the various star patterns it engendered.

Publication History:

Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 115.

Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC0600) in 2002 from the collection of Judge John T. Ball of San Jose, CA.