20 STAR AMERICAN FLAG.

Cotton and linen, circa 1817 to 1818; hand sewn and hand-appliqued stars. Flags bearing 20 stars and 13 stripes were made the official flag of United States when President James Monroe signed the Flag Act of 1818 into law. This example was made to indicate the admission of Mississippi as the 20th state into the union on December 10, 1817; and would remain accurate until the admission of Illinois on December 3, 1818. Flag size: 52" x 77". Signed in ink on the canvas hoist binding "Caldwell". CONDITION: Repair and replacement of a 4" x 10" patch of the upper left corner of the canton with just the blue background replaced, not the stars. Patches to the lower 2 stripes on the outside edges; small patch to bottom red stripe at the hoist side. Losses and wear throughout. KK Condition: Dimensions: Case: 56 - 1/2" x 82 - 1/4" x 2".