Printed 39-star parade flag. N.p., [1889]. The canton features six rows alternating six and seven stars each. Overall 17 x 12 in. Canton 6 1/4 x 6 1/2 in.

A 39-star parade flag, a configuration that was never an official banner of the United States. In late 1889, it was widely believed that Dakota Territory would be admitted as the 39th state after Colorado in 1876. It was, however, divided into North and South and both states were admitted on 2 November 1889. And by July 1890, Washington, Montana, and Idaho had all gained admittance, bringing the Union to 43 states.

The material has mostly separated along a fold line in its center. Easily repaired.

[Flags, Patriotic Textiles, Dakota Territory, Western Expansion, Ephemera]