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48-Star United States Flag
Presentation Script
Hello, collectors! Today we're looking at a classic piece of Americana: a 48-star United States flag. This design, featuring six rows of eight stars, was the official flag of the US for 47 years, from 1912 when New Mexico and Arizona joined the Union, all the way until 1959 when Alaska was admitted. It's the flag that flew during both World War I and World War II, making it a powerful symbol of the mid-20th century.
Looking closely at the construction, we can see this is a printed flag, likely made of cotton or a cotton blend, rather than having individually sewn stripes and appliqued stars. This suggests it was probably a smaller display flag or perhaps a parade flag, produced in large numbers for patriotic events. The printed nature is evident in the detail shot, where the red and white stripes are dyed into the fabric rather than pieced together.
Condition-wise, it's holding up quite well. There are some visible creases from being folded, and perhaps a touch of minor discoloration, which is entirely expected for a textile of this age. Importantly, there are no major tears or significant fraying visible in these photos.
Because these printed 48-star flags were produced in such massive quantities, they are quite common on the collector's market today. While they don't command the high prices of earlier, rarer flags or large, hand-sewn examples, they remain a wonderful and accessible piece of history. I'd estimate its auction value in the range of $20 to $50. It's a great entry-level piece for anyone interested in American vexillology!
Item Report
48-Star United States Flag
By:Unknown
Style:Militaria & Patriotic
Origin:United States
Materials:Cotton or cotton blend
Age:circa 1912-1959
Condition:Good (shows some creasing and minor discoloration consistent with age, but no major tears or fraying visible)
Value:$20 - $50
Maker's Marks / Writing:None visible
Date:2026-08-06 06:07:20.571610
Description:
A printed 48-star United States flag, likely made of cotton or a cotton blend. The 48-star flag was the official flag of the United States from 1912 to 1959, following the admission of New Mexico and Arizona to the Union. This example appears to be a smaller, printed version, possibly a parade flag or a small display flag, given the lack of visible sewn stripes or appliqued stars.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This is a common, printed 48-star US flag. While it holds historical interest as the flag design used during both World Wars, printed examples of this size are quite common and generally have modest value compared to large, sewn, or earlier flags.
Individual Images:
whole flag
detail of printed stripes
Provenance:
None provided
Condition:
Good (shows some creasing and minor discoloration consistent with age, but no major tears or fraying visible)
Identification Score: 95%
The 48-star pattern is clearly visible and easily identifiable. The printed nature of the flag is also apparent from the photos.
Authenticity Score: 90%
The materials and printing style appear consistent with mid-20th-century production. There is no obvious reason to suspect it is a modern reproduction, as these are common enough that reproducing them is rarely profitable.
Image Memory Note
None
None
Keywords
48-star flag, US flag, American flag, vintage flag, printed flag, United States
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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