45 Star Flag - (1896-1908) (U.S.)

Last modified: 2026-07-18 by rick wyatt
Keywords: forty-five | united states |
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image by Clay Moss, 6 February 2007

• Description of the flag
• Jack
• Other Star Patterns
• Triple Medallion variation

See also:

• History of the Stars and Stripes
• U.S. Historical flags
• United States of America

Description of the flag

In 1896, one star was added, representing Utah, bringing the total number of stars to 45. There were thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies.
Rick Wyatt, 5 April 1998

The 45 star US flag flew from 4 July, 1896, to 3 July, 1908.
Clay Moss, 6 February 2007

A photo of this flag is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/vintageflags (April 14, 2026)
Caption: A U.S. 45-star flag with a star-arrangement of 8/7/8/7/8/7; size: 3'x5'.
William Garrison, 23 April 2026

Jack

image by Clay Moss, 6 February 2007

image located by William Garrison, 11 June 2026

Source: https://historical.ha.com/itm/military-and-patriotic

William Garrison, 11 June 2026

images by Rick Wyatt

I have three small examples in my collection and none of them are the same. Here are the descriptions:
Stars: 7-8-8-8-8-6 aligned:
Stars: 7-8-8-8-8-6 aligned:
Stars: 8-7-7-8-7-8 aligned:
Dave Martucci, 22 September 1999

8-7-8-7-7-8

image located by William Garrison, 7 June 2024

Seen at https://www.ebay.com/itm/256479300725, a  U.S. 45-star with a star layout of 8-7-8-7-7-8.
William Garrison, 7 June 2024

image located by William Garrison, 9 February 2025

Source: https://www.ebay.com/itm/226257379696, a 45-star flag with an 8/7/8/7/7/8-star arrangement, but the stars on lines 4 and 5 in the canton are slightly off-set from one another. Size: 21.75" x 12.25", material: gauze.
William Garrison, 9 February 2025

8-7-7-7-7-8 + 1

image located by William Garrison, 14 June 2026

Source: https://historical.ha.com/itm/military-and-patriotic

Caption: from ad: "A 45-star American flag measuring approximately 51" x 83", featuring a distinctive star arrangement of 7/7/7/7/7/7 with three additional stars. Machine-sewn wool bunting with double-applique cotton "dancing" stars."
William Garrison, 14 June 2026

8-7-7-8-7-8 stars

image located by William Garrison, 14 June 2026

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

Caption: from ad: "A Concealed 45-Star American Flag (1896-1908) Cane with Whistle. A painted tin and wooden cane measuring approximately 35-1/4 inches in length, of tapered form, combining decorative appeal with inventive functionality. The detachable knob conceals a whistle, suggesting use at parades or political rallies, while the tip, formed as a flagpole finial, removes to reveal a hidden compartment containing a tightly rolled 45-star American flag. This feature allows the cane to transform into a patriotic display piece, and the 45-star count dates it to circa 1896-1908, following Utah's admission as the 45th state."
William Garrison, 14 June 2026

9 x 5 rows

image located by William Garrison, 14 June 2026

Source: https://historical.ha.com/itm/military-and-patriotic

Caption: A 45-star American flag measuring approximately 18-3/4" x 36", press-dyed on wool bunting, with stars in the canton in five rows of nine.
William Garrison, 14 June 2026

9 x 5 staggered rows

image located by William Garrison, 14 June 2026

Source: https://historical.ha.com/itm/military-and-patriotic

Caption: A 45-star U.S. flag entirely printed on cotton with stars arranged in 9 staggered rows of 5 each. Measures approximately 63" x 122-1/4".
William Garrison, 14 June 2026

The star are aligned, with alternating columns having alternate directions.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 14 June 2026

Triple Medallion variation

image located by William Garrison, 14 June 2026

Source: https://historical.ha.com/itm/political/textile-display

Caption: from ad: "American flag, measuring approximately 17-1/8" x 23-1/2", featuring 45 stars arranged in a striking medallion pattern within the canton.... The stars are organized in three concentric circles, forming a bold triple-medallion design, with an additional star in each corner, creating a dynamic balance between circular symmetry and a squared framework."

William Garrison, 14 June 2026