Ca. 1890s. Silkscreened cotton printed flag, measuring 27.5" on the hoist, 40" on the fly, mounted on wooden staff measuring 62" in length and 1" in diameter. The flag colors exhibit medium fading and soiling, and displays a nine inch tear at the fly's lower outer edge. Also a one inch hole in upper right corner of the field of stars, and a half dozen small worn spots on the stripes. Wooden staff is topped by an attractive, hand carved triangular tip, painted gold, lightly faded. Else VG.

North Dakota became the 39th state to join the Union in 1889, with South Dakota being admitted as the 40th state on the same day. Obviously this odd 39 star flag was expressly made in honor of North Dakota. Superb flag collectible, and for North Dakotans especially.