36 Star Flag - (1865-1867) (U.S.)

Last modified: 2014-08-29 by rick wyatt
Keywords: thirty-six | united states | great star | wagon wheel | windblown |
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image by Clay Moss, 11 February 2007

• Description of the flag
• Great Star flag
• Wagon Wheel Design
• Windblown Design
• Bomb Design
• US 36 Star Jack

See also:

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

In 1865, one star was added, representing Nevada, bringing the total number of stars to 36. There were thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies.
Rick Wyatt, 5 April 1998

image by Blas Delgado Ortiz, 27 July 2001

This brilliant "Great Star" flag was edged with black crape on the occasion of Lincoln's funeral. This was not removed and the flag served again in this guise for the mourning of the other assassinated American presidents, including that of President Kennedy.
Blas Delgado Ortiz, 27 July 2001

The design called "The Great Star Flag" had 36 stars, and several patterns reflect this interpretation of the Continental Congress description of "a new constellation."
William E. Dunning, 1 April 1998

image by Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 24 February 2014

Based on an item on eBay, purported to be a civil war era 36 star "great star" flag measuring approximately 42" x 67". This flag is in excellent condition for a flag that is approximately 150 years. It's colors are extraordinarily vibrant compared with other examples. The flag is constructed of what appears to be merino wool and the stars and stripes on the flag are treadle machine sewn. The stars on the flag are double appliqued and the flag has two small grommets on the hoist.

I tried to approximate those lighter colours. I still wonder whether they used lighter colours at the time, or whether the paints they used faded. If it's for real, it does show the variation between such flags, even when the luminary design itself is the same.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 24 February 2014

image by Blas Delgado Ortiz, 28 July 2001

This "Wagon Wheel" design is another sample of a circle of stars with an inner design. A close look will reveal a circle of stars within the outer circle with a five-point 'star cluster' in the middle. It was also a favorite naval pattern well into the 19th century.
Blas Delgado Ortiz, 28 July 2001

image by Blas Delgado Ortiz, 30 July 2001

The "Windblown Flag" of thirty-six stars was once the possession of Civil War veteran, Louis Bernard, later a pioneer in Oregon. The canton's illusionistic design that appears to taper at one end, creates the impression that the flag is in motion - or "windblown" - even when at rest, as shown here.
Blas Delgado Ortiz, 30 July 2001

image by Blas Delgado Ortiz, 13 August 2001

A rather mixed canton makes a very different design here. Could this be an aerial bomb? This flag was not used widely with only a few confirmed uses as a garrison flag.
Blas Delgado Ortiz, 13 August 2001

US 36 Star Jack

image by Clay Moss, 11 February 2007