American Maritime flags of the 19th Century

An unusual 31-star U.S. Storm Flag, diagonal rows of stars. This flag has an unusual star pattern, somewhat similar to the truncated diamond employed on U.S. military garrison flags of the same period. California became the 31st state in 1850, with its star being added to the U.S. flag officially in 1851.

U.S. 13 Stars Flag, Commemorative Historic Centennial Pattern, 1876 This particular flag, is thought to date from the centennial celebration of 1876. The triangular star arrangement within the circle of stars may refer to the unfinished pyramid on the reverse of the U.S. coat of arms or it may be a religious symbol for the Holy Trinity.

26 Star U.S. Flag - "Gildersleeve Meteor Flag". Boleslaw Mastai attributed fanciful names to star patterns appearing on his flags. Most of these names are not known to have been used historically. He called this the "Gildersleeve Comet Flag" or the "Shooting Star Flag" and saw it as rushing headlong into space, trailing its stars of glory.

30-star U.S. Flag commemorating Wisconsin Statehood, May 28, 1848. This 30-star United States flag came into official existence on July 4th, 1848 when, in accordance with the Flag Act of 1818, Wisconsin's admission to the Union was recognized in the country's flag.

34 Star United States flag - Battle List Flag. As a collector this is one of the flags that made a lasting impression on me like no other in the collection. You might say it is my favorite Civil War flag but it goes furhter and I would put it at the top of one of the most telling in terms of humane attributes.

13 Star U.S Revenue Marine Ensign & Custom House Flag 1871. This flag was implemented in August 1, 1799, when the Secretary of the Treasury issued an order announcing that the new ensign would consist of 16 vertical stripes, alternating red and white, corresponding to the number of states comprising the Union by 1799.

U.S. 20 stars and 13 stripes confirming Mississippi as the 20th state. This period example was made to indicate the admission of Mississippi as the 20th state into the union on December 10, 1817; and would remain accurate until the admission of Illinois on December 3, 1818, a period of only 358 days.

36-Star U.S. Flag, Double Ring Star Pattern: A John Spargo Flag. 36-star U.S. flag with stars arranged in a Double Circle or Double Medallion pattern with a single star in each corner of the canton and a larger star in the center. Nevada was admitted to statehood on October 31, 1864

13 Star U.S. Revenue Marine Ensign & Custom House Flag 1894. Oliver Wolcott was given the honor of conceiving a new ensign. On 1799 he presented his design to President Adams. Wolcott's concept consisted of an ensign of 16 vertical stripes, alternating red and white, corresponding to the number of states comprising the Union by 1799.

U.S. 26 Star "Grand Luminary" 1837 - 1845, large maritime or institutional flag. This period example 26 star U.S. flag was conceived upon the admission of Michigan as the 26th state on January 26, 1837. This would remain a popular design of United States flag until the admission of Florida on March 3, 1845.

33 Star U.S. Garrison Flag - Handmade. Oregon's entry into the Union on February 14th, 1859 prompted a rapid obsolescence of the 32-star flag adopted the year before to honor Minnesota. On July 4th, 1859, the 33-star flag became official becoming the first of four star counts (33-36) that flew throughout the Civil War.