49 Star Flag from Ft. McHenry

[Eightmn]

I picked up a 49 star flag this weekend at an auction and just wanted some opinions on it.

It is a 3X5 cloth 49 star flag, the stripes are sewn and the star are printed. It is in excellent condition and still in the original box that is marked Ft.McHenry. The flag also has the Ft. Mchenry stamp on the one corner. In the box was an invitation from the Department of the Interior to the first raising of the 49 star flag at the fort with the date July 3 1959. Apparently it was raised at midnight. I am not a big collector of flags but loved this one when I saw it and I paid $35 for it.

I have read that 49 star flags are not very rare I would think that this particular example has to be very collectible.

Thanks for your time.

Tim

[NAVA1974]

I picked up a 49 star flag ... in excellent condition and still in the original box that is marked Ft.McHenry. The flag also has the Ft. Mchenry stamp on the one corner. In the box was an invitation from the Department of the Interior to the first raising of the 49 star flag at the fort with the date July 3 1959. Apparently it was raised at midnight. I am not a big collector of flags but loved this one when I saw it and I paid $35 for it.

I have read that 49 star flags are not very rare I would think that this particular example has to be very collectible.

Thanks for your time.

Tim

Hello Tim,
I think you have a winner there. 49 star flags are common because a lot of people saved them once Hawaii became the 50th state in August of 1959. However, because they were in official use for only 1 year, and of practical use for less than that, many people consider them quite collectible and they command decent prices. With the July 3, 1959, documentation you have with that flag I would say it is worth somewhat more than the $50 to $100 that full-sized 49star flags sell for on eBay these days.

Nick A
Columbia Maryland

[Eightmn]

Thanks for the input I really appreciate it. I am thinking it might get framed and put on the wall. What is more interesting is that my girlfriend works at Ft. McHenry and she may actually be able to trace down the person who received it in the first place. It would be interesting to know who he is.

Thanks again

Tim