Learn about your antiques and collectibles with Georgia Caraway

all Americans have been encouraged to display the Stars and Stripes outside their homes and businesses

Flag design is important to flag collectors:

In commemoration of National Flag week and Flag Day, June 14:

The American flag has changed designs more than any other flag in the world. The first flag, called the Grand Union, was first flown at the headquarters of the Continental Army on January 1, 1776 Betsy Ross, a seamstress, is said to have contributed to this design She had an upholstery business that made flags for navy ships in Pennsylvania A legend still persists that she showed George Washington how to make a five-pointed star and suggested thirteen stars in a circle for the first flag Actually, she and George never met George did design the Grand Union, but an oft quoted remark attributed to him may not be true: ‘We take the star from heaven, the red from our mother country, separate it by white in stripes, and thus showing that we have separated from her . . . ’ On June 14, 1777, Congress proposed that the United States have a national flag instead of the British Union Jack. The thirteen stars of the flag represented the thirteen new states. There were few public ceremonies honoring the Stars and Stripes until 1877, when on June 14 it was flown from every government building in honor of the centennial of the adoption of a national flag The official Flag Day was observed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1893 Other states followed

In August 1949, President Harry S Truman proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day Since then,

The Grand Union flag has 13 alternate red and white stripes and the British Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner

The 1777 Continental Congress resolved that the flag of the United States have 13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be 13 stars representing the 13 colonies, white in a blue field.

The 1795 flag added 2 more stars and 2 more stripes;

The 1818 flag has 20 stars and 13 stripes (this number of stripes remained hereafter); 1819 flag with 21 stars; 1820, 23 stars; 1822, 24 stars; 1836, 25 stars; 1837, 26 stars; 1845, 27 stars; 1846, 28 stars (Texas); 1847, 29 stars; 1848, 30; 1851, 31; 1858, 32; 1859, 33; 1861, 34; 1863, 35; 1865, 36; 1867, 37; 1877, 38; 1890, 43; 1891, 44; 1896, 45; 1908, 46; 1912, 48; 1959, 49; 1960, 50 stars

Over the past few years the popularity of collecting vintage flags has grown dramatically and the prices have risen greatly as a result Pre-Civil War flags of 33 stars or less are very scarce and are typically treated as “blue-chip” items. Civil War era flags of 34 and 35 stars also stand among the most sought after denominations. Market demand for 36, 37, 38 star flags is strong but less broad based while interest in the unofficial 39 40 41 and 42 star examples is largely confined to flag aficionados The very rare “43” remains in a class by itself and is guaranteed to attract the attention of the serious collector Some examples of collectible flags are 15-star Union Jack from the War of 1812, $23,000; 15-stars, 15-stripes machine sewn 1912, $375; 25-stars with oval pattern with central star, ships flag $6,700; 16-stars, great star, hand sewn, 1850s, $6,800; 48 stars printed cotton with GAR surprint, $25; 48 stars sewn to form USA unauthorized WWI, $300 But you rally cannot put a value on this priceless American icon God Bless the Red, White and Blue Long May She Wave!

Dr. Georgia Caraway, former director of the Denton County Museums for 14 years, and her friends opened the Howe Mercantile on April 25. Store hours are Thursday through Saturday noon – 8 p.m. In addition to Tips, Tools, & Techniques: Caring for Your Antiques and Collectibles, she has written four Denton history books and is working on a 5th history about the North Texas State Fair and Rodeo

Howe Youth Football signups online

Howe Youth Football

Commissioner Chris Campbell announced that those interested in signing up to play youth football this fall can now register at www.leaguelineup.com and searching for Howe Youth Football. Registration is $90 for students entering Kindergarten through 6th grade.