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26 Star Flag - (1837-1845) (U.S.)

image by Clay Moss, 19 February 2007

Description of the flag
Jack
U.S. 26 Star "Fremont"
Great Star Designs
"War Stripe" variety

See also:

Description of the flag

In 1837, one star was added, representing Michigan, bringing the total number of stars to 26. There were thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies.
Rick Wyatt, 5 April 1998

This flag flew from 4 July 1837 to 3 July, 1845.
Clay Moss, 19 February 2007

Jack

image by Clay Moss, 19 February 2007

U.S. 26 Star "Fremont"

White Canton - Correct Version
image by Rick Wyatt, 28 July 2001

Blue Canton - Wrong Version
image by Rick Wyatt, 28 July 2001

One unusual variation of the U.S. flag was a 26 star flag carried by western explorer John C. Frémont, who later became the first Republican candidate for President. Between the rows of stars in the canton of his flag was an eagle. The eagle held the usual arrows of war, but the olive branch of peace was replaced by the calumet, or peace pipe. He hoped that this would be accepted by the Indians he met in his travels as a token of his peaceful intentions.

An interesting note is that the original flag, which still exists, has a white canton. The flag most available commercially has the colors in the canton reversed. Another Bunker Hill Blue!

Rick Wyatt, 28 July 2001

Great Star Designs

image by Steven M. Schroeder, 18 November 2000

Great Star Design (1837) - As depicted in the postage stamp, it consists of 13 stripes, blue canton with 26 5-pointed stars arranged: with one very large star in center, 5 smaller stars in each angle of center star, 5 smaller stars between each of the previous 5, and 3 yet smaller stars at each ordinal point, giving impression of a large star pointing down.
Steven M. Schroeder, 18 November 2000

image by Blas Delgado Ortiz, 28 July 2001

This beautiful 'upside down' star-within-a-star-within-a-star design is a fine example of early design variations. Akin to the "Circle within a circle" design, this one has a large star in the center, with five stars forming a star pattern around it and the remaining 20 stars forming a large star around them.
Blas Delgado Ortiz, 28 July 2001

image located by William Garrison, 7 June 2026

Source: https://historical.ha.com/itm/political

Caption from catalogue: "A printed 26-star American flag on linen, measuring approximately 24-1/2" x 26-1/4". The canton features a distinctive "star-of-stars" configuration, with a large central star formed by 25 smaller, regularly spaced stars, creating a visually balanced and highly decorative design. The flag's square proportions are intentional and not the result of later alteration or reduction, as evidenced by fine hand stitching throughout. This unusual format may have been designed to emulate the proportions of infantry battle flags." The canton rests on a red stripe rather than the customary white, ...."
William Garrison, 7 June 2026

"War Stripe" variety

image located by William Garrison, 28 May 2026

Source: https://historical.ha.com/itm/political

Caption from catalogue: "A 26-Star "War Stripe" American Flag, Michigan Statehood (1837-45). A 26-star American parade flag, printed on cotton and measuring approximately 21-1/2" x28-1/2". The canton displays a distinctive rectilinear configuration consisting of 24 stars arranged in four rows of six (6/6/6/6), with two additional stars positioned along the hoist edge. The top and bottom edges are hand-hemmed. Notably, the blue canton is larger than typically encountered and rests on a red stripe rather than the customary white. When the canton is resting on a red stripe, it is informally referred to as the "war stripe," supposedly used when the nation was at war. ....The hoist is constructed of blue denim and fitted with a small brass grommet."
William Garrison, 28 May 2026

The so-called “War Stripe” theory was first posited by Mastai based on nothing, really. You will note in the example given, official 1837-1845, there was no War (yet). Preble says the custom of “resting” a canton on a red stripe was the mark of flags made at the US Navy Norfolk shipyard. Unlikely this flag was made there as it is too small.
Dave Martucci, 2 June 2026