Original Item: Only One Available. This is an impressive original 45-star United States national flag dating from the 1896-1908 period and therefore of the pattern in official use throughout the Spanish-American War of 1898. Measuring approximately 58 ½ x 96”, this is a substantial multi-piece wool flag with individually applied cloth stars, a white canvas header, and plated brass grommets at the upper and lower corners of the hoist. It is presently attached by clips to a wooden pole measuring approximately 72” tall, which appears period appropriate to the flag, although there is no provenance establishing that the pole and flag have remained together since their original use.

The 45-star national flag became official on July 4th, 1896, following Utah's admission as the 45th state on January 4th of that year. It remained the official United States flag through July 3rd, 1908. Oklahoma had entered the Union on November 16th, 1907, but under the statutory system then in effect, the additional star did not appear on the official national flag until the following July 4th, when the 46-star flag became official.

The flag is in very good condition considering that it is over 100 years old, and does not show any signs of major abuse. However time and wear have led to fraying and holes in the wool body, and the colors have faded over time as well. Some of the stars have some damage but are still all solid. Otherwise, the flag is in really tremendous condition for its age.

There is no maker mark along the header, but there is a stenciled name, J.W. JONES. Though this is a very common name, the stencil style is extremely similar to the name stencils used by the U.S. Marine Corps during this period. It is possible that the flag was used on a Marine fort or camp at some point near the turn of the century, and there is a Marine named “John W. Jones” who served during this period, but it will take some deep research to make any more of a connection than this.

The condition issues are consistent with a flag that saw genuine use, display, and long-term storage rather than remaining untouched. The survival of the complete 45-star canton, multi-piece body, canvas header, grommets, and J.W. JONES stencil gives the flag considerable historical presence despite its age-related wear.

The 45-star configuration securely dates the flag to 1896-1908, while its construction is fully consistent with flags manufactured during that era. More specifically, it represents the national flag under which American forces fought during the Spanish-American War in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines in 1898. Without direct provenance, however, the star count establishes its period rather than a particular wartime use.

With its large approximately 58 ½ x 96” dimensions, multi-piece wool construction, complete 45-star canton, canvas header, plated brass grommets, period style wooden pole, and intriguing J.W. JONES stencil, this is an unusually impressive surviving American flag from the turn of the 20th century. Its fading, scattered holes, edge fraying, and star wear are honest evidence of age and use, while the unresolved Jones marking provides genuine potential for additional research. It would form a commanding centerpiece in a collection devoted to the Spanish-American War, late 19th century American military history, historic national flags, or the expansion of the United States at the turn of the century.