32-star American flag.

32-star American flag.
[In use 1858-59.] An American National Flag, cotton, with the 32 cut stars hand sewn into the upper left canton, in a "Betsy Ross" single ring of 27 stars, with one central star and four at each corner. 202 x 350 cm (80 x 98 inches), with extra gussets sewn at the outer corners to strengthen the flag. A few minor moth holes, one small patched repair, bronze ring.
Provenance: Lord Fisher, Third Baron of Kilverstone, Norfolk (1921-2012), Grandson of the First Baron "Jacky" Fisher, Admiral of the Fleet. The First Baron was a Captain on the North America and West Indies Station, 1877-78.

A rare 32-star American flag, used only for 9 months. The 32nd state, Minnesota, was added to the flag with its admission to the Union on May 11th 1858, and the 33rd state, Oregon, was admitted on February 14th 1859, giving a short window of just 8-9 months for the manufacture and use of the 32-star flag. Many believe that the new 32-star flags were mostly used on naval vessels, and it is highly probable that this example, with its large size for use on a main mast, was on board an American vessel (unused in a locker), for the period 1858-59, after which it was obsolete.