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Hawaiiana
Lot 63

42-STAR UNITED STATES FLAG FROM JOHN H. SOPER COLLECTION.
Canton of 42 stars against blue, field of 13 alternating red and white stripes, 1.54 x 2.37 meters,

25 October 2022, 10:00 EDT
New York

US$2,000 - US$3,000

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42-STAR UNITED STATES FLAG FROM JOHN H. SOPER COLLECTION.

Canton of 42 stars against blue, field of 13 alternating red and white stripes, 1.54 x 2.37 meters, printed on linen, header with two grommets, stamped "CK," c.1890. Flag heavily toned with separation and loss, edges rough.

The 42-star United States flag is a bit of a rarity, produced for a period of 8 months only between November of 1889 and July of 1890. The U.S. Government updated the official star count on its flag each 4th of July. In 1889 the count was 38, but during the next year five states were added to the Union: North and South Dakota, Washington, Montana, and at the very last minute, Idaho. Flag makers did not anticipate that Idaho would make the July 4th cut, but when it snuck through on July 3rd of 1890, the 42-star flag immediately became obsolete, even though for a period of 8 months, the union consisted of 42 states.

During the period this flag was issued, Col. John H. Soper was the head of the Hawaiian National Guard.

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