Great Star Flags (U.S.)

There have been many "Great Star" flags over the years. The first most people know about was Peter Wendover/Samuel Reid's proposal to have the U.S. Flag bear the stars in a "Great Star" pattern for use on land and on private ships and in rows for the navy, proposed in 1818. Congress did not accept this idea, in fact Congress purposely did not specify how the stars were to be arranged.

Prior to this proposal, however, this pattern can be found. It probably had its origin in the U.S. Crest, which shows 13 stars in the shape of a six-pointed "Great Star." The pattern can be found often in the 19th century, particularly prior to 1865 and particularly used on private ships.
Dave Martucci, 31 March 1998

by Steven M. Schroeder, 18 November 2000

26 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