40 Star printed Banner ?

[Paul]

Hello, I have a 40 star flag or banner ? The 40 stars are printed and the stripes are sewn(looks like zigzag stitches). It measures aprox 15" x 95".
It has the full 15" canton and the stripes are the 15" also just like a trimmed or cut flag would have. Two brass grommets at the ends. An identical one recently listed on eBay sold for $450. Because the grommets are at the ends I believe it is an authentic 40 star and not a clever trimmed fake although the entire bottom is hemmed with identical stitching with the stripes the top of the canton appears to have some type of heat sealed hem with no stitches and the stripes at top stripe appears to be a rough cut or trim. Any info would be helpful, scarcity, authenticity,use?
Thank You, Paul

[Robin Hickman]

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Hi, Paul!

Welcome to the USA-Flag-Site Forums!


Without good photos of your "40-star flag or banner" it's hard to give you any advice, other than to post some good, detailed pictures of your Flag.

Having said that, I think that given the dimensions of your Flag/banner it is probably a "pull down". A "pull down" is a long, narrow banner that is designed to be hung vertically, usually between a building's columns.

Do you have any pictures of your Flag?


Thank you for bringing your Flag-related question to our Forums!



Robin Hickman
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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[NAVA1974]

Paul,
I believe Robin is correct about your 40-star "flag." Pull downs became popular in the early to mid-20th century once the Flag Code was adopted in 1923. The Code prohibited the use of the American Flag as a decoration - it could not be draped or festooned - red/white/blue bunting was to be used for that purpose. Therefore, flagmakers avoided using 48 star cantons for anything except "real" flags. Pull downs of 25, 36, and 40 stars were very common beginning in the 1920's and up through WW II.

Today pulldowns have either 13 stars or 50 stars:
50 Star Pulldown Patriotic Decoration - Flag Lady Gifts - Flag Lady Gifts

Regards,
Nick A
Columbia Maryland

[Paul]

Thank you for the information. As always so helpful to have this site with such a wealth of knowledge on tap.
Thank you Nick for referring me to the forum.
Paul E.
Bucks county, PA