Approx. 42 by 78 in. machine-sewn, wool flag, with 42 single-appliquéd, cotton stars machine sewn to a wool canton. The stars are configured in an unusual "double box car" pattern comprised of vertical rows 8/7/8/7/8, with two stars added between the first and second rows and two stars added between the fifth and sixth rows. Hoist is cotton with two brass grommets.

The 42-star flag was never official. Five stars were added on 4 July 1890: North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington (42nd state Nov. 1889) and the 43rd Idaho (3 July 1890). Very likely many of these were made to celebrate Washington's statehood, not knowing that Idaho would be admitted at the last minute. 

Provenance: Collection of Jeffrey Kenneth Kohn, MD.