See anything odd about this flag?

[NAVA1974]

I purchased this 42-star flag recently:
43star1mini.jpg

Nick A
Columbia Maryland

[csaanv]

It has 42 stars?

[NAVA1974]

It has 42 stars?

Does it?

Check the photo again. Not all rows have the same number of stars.

Nick A

[csaanv]

What I meant first time it has 43 stars.

[NAVA1974]

What I meant first time it has 43 stars.

Exactly. It was sold on eBay as a 42-star flag and, apparently, not many people noticed it is an ultra-rare 43 star flag. The stripes are sewn wool bunting, and the canton of 43 stars appears clamp-dyed or screened. The heading and grommets are also correct for the 1890 time frame.

Nick A

[AmericaHurrah]

Nice grab. I saw it and knew it to be un unusual construction for a 42, and thought it interesting, but I didn't count. Phooey on me for flunking Flag 101!

Jeff

[csaanv]

Great deal Nick! Post pitures when you can.
mike

[NAVA1974]

Nice grab. I saw it ... but I didn't count. Phooey on me for flunking Flag 101! Jeff

A lot of eBay sellers would flunk Flag 101 as well.

I believe I have contacted about 3 dozen eBay sellers over the last decade because they had mis-counted the stars on their flags. By far, the most commonly misrepresented flags are the small silk 39-star flags. The majority are called "Civil War Period 36-star flags" until I send them a message "How many stars are in rows 2, 3, and 5?" Then I get a sheepish reply... and they change the listing.

Next come the "48 star flags" that actually have only 46 stars (one had 44!) These sellers are grateful to learn their flag is older and more desirable than they thought.

On this "42 star flag" I recounted the stars a dozen times, and then concluded that this was an opportunity to actually benefit from the error. So I shut my mouth and bid quietly.

I'll be photographing that flag and posting it on flickr.com in the future.

Nick A
Columbia MD

[Robin Hickman]

...
From that particular angle, ALL of the stars appear to be upside-down.


Robin Hickman
Eugene, Oregon, USA
...

[NAVA1974]

From that particular angle, ALL of the stars appear to be upside-down. Robin Hickman ..

Robin,

I prefer to think of them as pointing towards the top of the flag pole! (ie, to the upper left corner of the canton.)
43star1mini2.jpg
Nick A
Columbia MD

By the way, here's the link to the eBay auction:
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