This is an authentic 12 in by 17 in (flag design) or 18 in (total fabric) cotton flag with tilted stars dating from 1889-90. This type of flag was often sold to grocery and hardwood stores for them to add sticks and sell to the public. Featuring 42 stars, it was never really official. The US had 38 stars in 1889, and then four were added in the same month: N and S Dakota 11-2-1889 (39 and 40), Montana 11-8-1889 (41), and Washington 11-11-1889 (42). In 1818 it had been decided that stars would officially be added to the flag on July 4 of each year, so these four states and stars and the new flag itself were to become official the next year on July 4, 1890. Manufacturers were eager to get a head start and so began to produce the new 42-star flags soon after November of 1889. In a twist of fate, Idaho became a state on 7-3-1890, bringing the new official total to 43 and making these flags invalid (and never really official) after only eight months.