48-star flag with family history

[cindyhileman]

Hello- I am new to the forum. We have a 48-star flag that I want to display along with a narrative of its history, but I'd like to get some feedback from some of you flag experts on the history before I include it in the display.

According to notes my mother-in-law included with the flag, it was flown every day from 1916-1946 in front of the post office where her grandfather was postmaster.
Although it certainly shows some wear, I would imagine that a flag flown every day for 30 years would be in tatters. I'm curious what others think.
DSCN2087.jpg picture by cindyhileman - Photobucket
DSCN2087.jpg picture by cindyhileman - Photobucket
DSCN2087.jpg picture by cindyhileman - Photobucket
I think it is cotton. The stars are stamped in the fabric rather than sewn or embroidered. The blue coloring is very weathered while the red is suprisingly bright. I've included a picture of what may be a ID mark, but may just be staining as I can't make it out.

Any info would be very appreciated!

[csaanv]

Hi Cindy,
It looks like no one wants to touch this one. I don't have any scientific evidence to offer but common sense tells me that maybe the mother-in-law got the story mixed up? I know for a fact that I had a nylon flag that I flew outside everyday that finally disintegrated after 4 years. I can't imagine a light cotton flag lasting even that long in constant use. Other than the canton being faded there is no edvidence of wear, not even the slightest bit of fraying on the end of the fly. Maybe the flag was hung inside the Post Office? Is the canton on the other side just as faded?

DSCN2086.jpg