Antique 48 Staggered Star American Flag on Ivory Duck Cloth in Gold Scoop Frame

Large, antique 48 staggered star American flag mounted on ivory duck cloth. This flag likely dates to pre-WWI. Among 48-star American flags, those with staggered rows of stars are widely understood to be earlier examples, often produced before or around the official adoption of the 48-star design in 1912. This is due in part to the long-standing tradition of “anticipatory” flag-making, in which manufacturers created flags reflecting expected future statehood—sometimes decades in advance—as well as a continued reliance on earlier design conventions that favored more fluid, offset arrangements over rigid grids. Although the federal government standardized the 48-star configuration into straight, aligned rows in 1912, civilian makers were not bound by these guidelines, and staggered patterns persisted into the World War I era. After this period, however, production increasingly aligned with the official design, making staggered 48-star flags a strong indicator of earlier manufacture, typically dating from the late 19th century through the end of World War I. Flag in a custom gold scoop frame measures 24" x 28.5". Under glass. Flag has great, allover patina. Frame in very good condition with light wear.