U.S. 13 Star Flag - Centennial Celebration.
The thirteen-star United States flag with its stars arranged in five staggered horizontal rows, 3-2-3-2-3, is one of the two basic star patterns known to have been utilized by the U.S. Navy during the War for American Independence. The 1779 drawing made in the Dutch harbor of Texel depicting the ensign of the Alliance while moored with the Serapis depicts her stars arranged in this pattern. Beginning at some time during the American Civil War, this same pattern was resurrected as the star pattern on some of the U.S. Navy boat flags, and after the War, it became the predominate pattern until 1870, when it became the only star pattern used until boat flags were discontinued in 1916.

Although this flag is very similar to the size "No. 11" U.S. Navy flag for small boats, the dimensions of the flag on its hoist do not conform to U.S. Navy regulations. During the period of the Centennial observance in 1876, reproductions of 13 star flags from the American War for Independence became quite popular, and it is probable that this flag was manufactured commercially for that occasion.

Provenance: Acquired by the Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC1156) in 1998 from Butterfield & Butterfield Auction House of San Francisco, CA.