A: There is a flag with vertical stripes - it is the "Revenue Ensign" of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.  The U.S. Coast Guard uses the same ensign of 16 vertical stripes and the US Coat of Arms on a white canton, but the fly is defaced with the arms of the Coast Guard.  There are some who quote Nathaniel Hawthorn's description of the Revenue flag that flew over the U. S. Custom House in Salem, Massachusetts, where the author worked for a time.  Hawthorne (remember, he's an author, not a historian) said that the vertical stripes indicated that the offices in that building were "civil" in nature, not military. You can see this flag and its history at: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/8987/.

Certain political groups say that the USA flag of 13 horizontal stripes is a military color signifying that we are all under marshal law, and they have similar views about fringe on the flags use in courthouses. See: http://fotw.digibel.be/flags/us-fring.html.  Hope this answers the question. Nick Artimovich

Well, there isn't much.  It is a deduction based on circumstantial evidence. Here it is:
There are two engraved portraits of Ezek Hopkins; one (dated 1776) shows the Commodore and below are two flags, a plain flag with a horizontal rattlesnake bisecting the words "DONT TREAD -- UPON ME" and the other also plain bearing a
tree below the words "LIBERTY TREE" and above the words "AN APPEAL TO GOD."  The other (mezzotint by Thomas Hart dated 22 August 1776) shows Hopkins in front of a vignette of two ships sailing away each wearing an ensign, the left ship, 13 stripes (7 W and 6 R) with a diagonally disposed rattlesnake and the words curving below the snake "DONT TREAD UPON ME."  The right hand ship's ensign is plain with a tree in the center and the words "LIBERTY TREE" over the top and "AN APPEAL TO GOD" below.  We think the first Naval organization of the United Colonies basically conscripted ships from the existing state navies and brigaded them into two squadrons.  This is certainly open to debate and discussion since records are very sketchy.  However these illustrations, particularly the second illustration, seem to support this theory.  One additional piece of evidence is the following quoted in a letter from Benjamin Franklin and John Adams to the Ambassador of the King of the Two Sicilys dated 9 October 1778: "... Some of the States have vessels of war distinct from from those of the United States.  For example, the vessels of war of the State of Massachusetts Bay have sometimes a pine tree; and those of South Carolina a rattlesnake, in the middle of the 13 stripes ..."

Although there is no evidence here that they are talking about the squadrons, they do mention the two principal naval powers of the states and the two states that were the bases for the US Navy.  The theory is that the US Navy, at least at first, used a kind of naval militia system for including state ships in the infant US Navy, at least until Congress appropriated the funds to build its own ships and that these conscripted ships used their respective local ensigns as a distinguishing mark for their squadrons. I t is by no means a certainty.  Dave Martucci

(Note: the following is a follow-up to the answer above..Ed) Don't forget a key point.  Preble shows the SC Ensign as having red and blue stripes without citing any original references.  Some day I hope to sift through his papers in Springfield MA to see if there is some source or if he, like other of his "facts," made some error that was never corrected.
There is at least one indication, however, that there may have been striped ensigns in different colors.  See Richardson's "Standards and Colors of the American Revolution" chapter on the Continental Navy and Privateers, pg. 64.  Under the bill of flags supplied to the "Committee of Congress" by James Wharton is the following: "Dec 20 [1776] 1 Union Flagg Green & Red, 13 Stripes."  There are also several flags supplied by Wharton that are described only by color so we do not know exactly what the flag was called or its design: "Dec 6 [1776] 1 Flagg Blue & White (dd Cap; Allen Moore)" "Jan 1 [1777] 2 Blue & White Flags 1 Green, Blue, White & Red Do."  Also, don't forget that the Northern-Southern Squadron theory is tenuous at best.

A: Although the picture you attached was not readable by my machine, I know about the flag you describe.  In fact, the 13 stars making up one larger star (what we call a "Great Star") originated in 1782 with the adoption of the Coat of Arms and Seal of the United States of America.  Look at the back of any one-dollar bill and you will see the obverse and reverse of the seal.  The obverse design is the Coat of Arms and over the US Eagle there is a cloud burst (called a "Glory") bearing thirteen stars arranged in the shape of one big six-pointed star.  This was also used on flags, with 13 stars and with the appropriate number for a given date, approximately up through the Civil War and in a few instances since.  In 1818, when Captain Samuel Reed presented his proposal to Congress for a "permanent" flag, he proposed the military use a flag with the stars in rows and civilians use a flag with the stars in the form of one large "luminary."  This part of the proposal was not adopted but Great Star flags were very popular in the first half of the 19th century.  Although not adopted officially, the first 20 star/13 stripe flag raised over the Capitol building after the adoption of the third flag resolution was in fact a Great Star flag.  Hope this answers your question. P lease let me know if you need any further information.  Dave Martucci

A: The flag in question, white bearing a pine tree and the motto "Appeal to Heaven," is commonly known (to vexillologists) as the Flag of Washington's Cruisers.  In 1775, while reorganizing the army, Washington okayed a plan to launch several small boats armed with cannon into Boston Harbor to attempt to harrass the British fleet that was anchored there in great numbers.  The idea of the Flag was stated in a letter from Washington's secretary, Col. Josaeph Reed, to Cols. Glover of Marblehead and Moylan dated 20 October 1775 and is basically the jack form of the New England flag with the addition of the motto "Appeal to Heaven" which is taken from the closing paragraph of the address of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts shortly after the Battle of Lexington, "Appealing to Heaven for the justice of our cause, we determine to die or be free.".

It was stated in Reed's letter that this was the flag of the floating batteries already launched.  There is no sketch with the original letter but there are several very different designs pictured in a number of sources.  The Cruisers were not terribly effective in Boston but they did signal the beginnings of the Massachusetts Privateers who flew the same flag and were very successful.  Massachusetts adopted the flag in April 1776.

It is believed that in 1777, when the US Navy was formed and was divided into two squadrons, the Northern Squadron flew this flag while the Southern Squadron flew 13 red and white stripes with a rattlesnake stretched across the middle and the motto "Dont Tread Upon Me."  This flag remained the official Naval Flag of Massachusetts until 1971 when they dropped the motto and reverted to their original Naval Flag.

Maine's Naval Flag is also white with a green pine tree and the state name and motto and an anchor, all in blue.  It is derived from this flag.  Dave Martucci

If you have two flags to display, say USA and Sweden for example, then because I am in the US, I'd place them with the US Flag at the Starboard Peak and the Swedish flag at the Port Peak.  Reverse these positions if you are in Sweden.  If I had three national flags to display, say USA, Sweden and Canada, again in the US, I'd probably place the US Flag at the Truck with Canada on the Starboard Peak and Sweden at the Port Peak.  The rule here is host country at the position of honor (Truck) and the other flags in alphebetical order from the Starboard to the Port.

If I had a personal or organizational flag, maybe a state or municipal flag, that could go at the Center Clew in this hoist. Hope this answers your question.  David Martucci

A: This is a question that cannot be answered in modern terms.  There was no official pattern or even design at that time, as foreign as that sounds to us today.  We believe the Indian presentation flags bore a painted eagle in the canton and had anywhere from 13 to 15 or more stripes.  As for stars, 13 or more would have been painted in the canton with the eagle.  As these flags were hand painted, each one was unique.  Howard Madaus is researching this area and I am sending a copy of this to him.  Please not that by 1803 or 1804, there were 17 states (Tennessee 1796 and Ohio 1803), so 17 stars and/or stripes were not out of the question.  It wasn't until 1818 that the 13 stripes and a star for each state bcam the established basic design.

Q: The Corps of Discovery was a military unit under the joint commands of Captains Lewis & Clark.  Each of the members had military rank; they even had court martials during the trip.  Since Lewis was in the 1st Infantry and Clark in the 4th Infantry, and they were used to military units having distinctive unit flags, did the Corps have a unit flag?  If so, what was it?  Where can I buy a replica?

A: Military flags in this period were somewhat limited in their existence.  Based on existing examples, the basic Regimental color was blue with the US Eagle painted on it with the appropriate inscription of the unit.  However, the Corps of Discovery, which I do not know if it was an official military unit, packed very few non-essentials and may not have brought much in the way of flags except for those given to the native tribes.  I do not know for sure.  As for replicas, most reputable flag dealers can have replicas made but it is determining the original design that is the rub.  15 star/15 stripe flags (based on the Star Spangld Banner) are available commercially.  Check out our "Commercial Members" page for more information on NAVA manufacturers!..Ed)
Dave Martucci

A: Dave Martucci copied me in on his e-mail to you of the 24th of August in relation to your inquiries on the flags used by the Corps of Discovery during their expedition under the leadership of Lewis & Clark, 1814-1806.  Although there are practically no useful descriptions of the flags, there were evidently two basic types.  One type was the flag that Lewis & Clark used to mark their camp on certain important occasions (but not evidently on a daily basis).  There is no clear description of this flag, but it was usually described as a "large" flag.  It many not have been the flag of the United States, though that would have been the logical flag to "show the colors" in the uncharted territories that the United States had purchased under the Louisiana Purchase.  There is one intrequing reference, however, that suggests that the flag may have been of a different type.  In Volume I, p. 106 (R. Thwaites' edition of the journals), is a reference on 11 August 1804.  While stopping at the grave of Mahars King Black Bird (who had died in 1800), Lewis remarked that a pole was in the center of the grave mound and "on this pole we fixed a white flage bound with red, Blue & white."  This is the only description that I have found of any flag that was different from the U.S. flags that were presented to the chiefs of the various tribes.  The "chief's presentation flags" are the second type of flag that accompanied the expedition.  Evidently these were made in St. Louis with materials that were shipped to Lewis & Clark from Governor Harrison of Indiana Territory (misspelled "Morrison" in the edition of Thwaites-- see Vol. 6, p. 269).  On 4 December 1803, Lewis noted that he had sent a draft, "No. 2 on the Set' of War for 33$ forwarded Gover Morrison [sic] in favor of it being for flagg stuff sent me by the govn and was drawn payable 3 days after sight. dated 25th Feby."  The flags were made in two sizes, a larger size and a smaller size.  There were then distributed among the bundles with medals in three sizes, uniforms, and other trinkets for distribution to the various important Indian dignataries.  (See Vol. 6, pp. 270-280)  At least 19 of the smaller size flags were made in St. Louis, for on 2 May 1804, Lewis write to Clark in his Illinois camp that "I send you 19 small flags, 16 musqueto nets and our shirts-- paray send down as soon as possible 13 Ells of the brown linin purchased of Morrison [six] to replace that quantity borrowed of Mr. Gratitt ...." (Vol. 6, p. 299.)  Since these flags were made in St. Louis they may not have conformed to the pattern being distributed to Indian delegations that visited Washington.  For the type of flag distributed in Washington, we have only written descriptions contemporaneous to their ordering.  The earliest order for flags was written by Henry Dearborn, Secretary of War on 20 December 1803, when he requested that "I have to request that you will have Five Flags of about 9 foot by 6 with the Eagle, 17 Stars & 17 Stripes made of bunting & delivered to Mr. Brashing on his return to this place for the use of the Indian Dept."  These were evidently made by Philadelphian, William Young, who received a second order for flags in 1804, for which he was paid $106.00 on 7 August 1804 "for 4 United States Ensigns three yards square, each with the American Eagle painted & gilt staffs, brass mounting, tassells etc. complete."  (documents in National Archives).  Presumably, like the earlier made flags these had 17 stripes and 17 stars as well as the painted U.S. coat-of-arms, but not necessarily so, since the next year (1805), Young supplied two garrison flags (for St. Louis) that were to contain 16 stripes!  Unfortunately, in view of the manner that flags were made (largely unregulated), we shall never know what the flags actually looked like that accompanied Lewis & Clark.  Hopefully, this missive will provide some semblence of the variety that existed during the period.
Sincerely,
Howard Michael Madaus
"Old Glory" Flag Consultants

P.S. The Lewis & Clark expedition would have carried NO military colors with them.  The only colors of the unit(s) to which they were attached would have been its regimental standard (a dark blue silk flag bearing the
arms of the United States over a scroll bearing the unit designation) and regimental color (at the time a white or buff flag bearing a scroll in the center with the unit designation) and its camp colors (small -- 18" square" white bunting flags with the regimental number and branch painted on them), and these would have been held by the colonel commanding and the quartermaster of the regiment. Companies or detachments did not carry separate flags of any official capacity. HMM

A: Thanks for your very interesting E-mail and enclosed photographs. What a wonderful find! Based solely on the photos, and without seeing the flag in person, my first inclination is to place it in the range of 1864 to 1876. The flag "law" of 1818 states that whenever a state is admitted to the Union the U.S. flag reflects the change on the 4th of July following the date of admission. However, it is well known that many flags were made in order to be "on hand" on the day of admission. This was done by commercial firms as well as individuals. Nevada (state number 36) was admitted to the Union on 31 October 1864 (official flag change would have been 4 July 1865) and Nebraska (state number 37) was admitted on 1 March 1867. From then until 1876 the flag stayed at 37 stars, when Colorado made it 38 (1 August 1876). Considering that the 38th star would not officially be added until 4 July 1877 it is possible that your flag could have been made within the above mentioned time frame. While it MIGHT be a Civil War flag, it looks to me like one of the many post-war civil flag that sprang up at various places to celebrate the end of the conflict. As Kentucky was a border state it wouldn't surprise me one bit. Some other markers to help age your flag are: 1) how were the stars sewn on? If there is machine zigzag stitching around the edge of the stars it was made much later - perhaps around the 1890's; 2) are there grommets on the flag? Considering that your flag is not all that big it's unlikely that grommets would have been used, particularly during the late Civil War period (they were on very large flags); 3) check the material. It's very difficult for me to tell from your photo's, but if the fabric was wool or silk you might have the real thing indeed. My advice is to get a textile professional to evaluate it for you and recommend the proper conservation steps to take; which actually aren't all that bad for what you have. It's important to keep the light off the flag as much as possible, get it behind UV filtering glass, stabilize it with museum quality baffling (or backing), and keep it flat; which I see you are already doing. Whatever you do don't try to clean it yourself - especially if it's wool. I've taken the liberty of posting your question on the Q&A page of the North American Vexillological Association, an organization of flag nuts..er, experts. Expect to get quite a bit of valuable advice! Richard R. Gideon

A: The flag looks rare and worthy. The U.S. flag got 35 stars on June 20, 1863 with the admission of West Virginia, officially July 4, 1863, 36 stars on Oct. 31, 1864 with Nevada, officially July 4, 1865, and 37 stars with Nebraska, March 1, 1867, and the flag changed July 4, 1867. The arrangement of the stars was unofficial until 1912 under President Taft. So there were many variations of the star pattern. I believe I have seen a picture of this pattern but did not readily find it in my references. If you would like me to search further please advise. Lee L Herold

A: I counted the stars on this flag a couple of times to makes sure I came up with the same count. There are definitely 37 stars. For the pattern to be semetrical, there should be a 38th star in the upper hoist corner, but I cannot tell whether or not that is the case. It appears to be made from silk. I agree with the writer's assessment that it is not a US Army issued military colour. Because of the number of stars, it also does not date from the War Between the States. If 37 stars it is from 1867 to 1877, if 38 from 1877 to 1890. The use of the Concentric cirles would seem to argue for the earlier period. Don't see many flags with that star pattern after 1876. Devereaux Cannon

Q: MY HUSBAND IS LOOKING TO PURCHASE A VINTAGE AMERICAN FLAG 50+ YEARS OLD. CAN YOU HELP US LOCATE ONE?? PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT JHSTEPHEN@AOL.COM

A: Thanks for your inquiry. Your question is being posted on NAVA's special Q&A page, and I have no doubt that you'll be getting lots of offers. Richard R. Gideon

A: The best place I have found to find vintage American flags is the on-line auction site eBay. WWW.EBAY.COM. It will take a little getting used to the site, and you will have to register to bid, but it is well worth the effort. This is the current count for flags currently in auction

36.. 48 star flags
4.... 46 star flags
3.... 45 star flag
1.... 44 star flag
1.... 39 star flag
and I quit looking after that. (..these figures are subject to change..Ed)

I hope this helps, let me know what you find. Nathan Bliss

(The following is a universal "Thank You" to those of you who helped this nice lady get a flag for her husband..Ed)

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP IN LOCATING A VINTAGE AMERICAN FLAG FOR MY HUSBAND. SOME VERY NICE PEOPLE RESPONDED TO MY REQUEST AND I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND A FEW THAT I LIKED. I HAVE A BID ON ONE RIGHT NOW. MY HUSBAND WILL BE SO HAPPY WHEN HE OPENS HIS SURPRISE GIFT ON OUR ANNIVERSARY NEXT MONTH!!

THANKS AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING!!

A: The pine tree in New England iconography is a very old emblem, we think it pre-dates European settlement here. One tribe of Native Americans was called Penacook, Algonquin for "Children of the Pine Tree" and they claim to have learned government from the Iroquois, who have used a White Pine Tree (with an Eagle on top) as a symbol for at least 700 years. In the New England Colonies, it was used as a symbol representating the Natives since at least 1629. Later it was used on coins (1654) and flags (1680) as a local symbol. It was used continuously as a local symbol until the early 19th century at least and can still be found today in some places. Although there is truth in the statement that the big White Pines (marked with the King's Broad Arrow) were not to be used by colonists, there is no evidence that this influenced Colonial or Revolutionary War emblems in any way. Dave Martucci

A: One answer, according to Danish legend, is "The Dannebrog" -- the Danish national flag that "fell from the sky" in 1219 during the battle in which the Danes defeated the Estonians. The other answer, according to Austrian legend, is the Austrian flag that dates back to 1230 and Duke Leopold V. So, if you say that the Danes and Austrians have national flags that date back to the 13th century, you're on very safe ground. Peter Orenski

A: The booklet you refer to was published (along with a poster) by:
Dr. Whitney Smith
Flag Research Center
P.O. Box 580
Winchester MA USA 01890

Peter Orenski

A: Wow, what a great question. What I will do is post your question on the Q&A section of NAVA's website and see what happens. My wife says she remembers seeing something like what you want in Gettysburg, but she doesn't remember what shop(s). Members: what about it?...maybe we can interest the next generation in flags! Richard R. Gideon
(...and our NAVA members respond...Ed.)

A: Your inquiry about flag coloring books has been forwarded to me, among others. I am aware of a several such books published by Bellerophon Books. They are: "Civil War Flags to Color"; "Flags to Color from the American Revolution"; "Story of California and Her Flags to Color "; "Story of Early California and Her Flags to Color"; and "The Story of Africa and Her Flags to Color". You can find these books for sale at the following web address:
http://home.att.net/~dcannon.tenn/FLAGBOOKS.html. Let me know if I can be of further service. Devereaux Cannon

A: I know of at least one: "Flags to Color from the American Revolution", Bellerophon Books, 122 Helena Ave., Santa Barbara CA 93101 USA. $1.95 Also, please contact Whitney Smith @ The Flag Research Center, in Winchester Mass USA. Let me know if any questions come up. Peter Orenski

A: There are 2 books with which I am familar. One is the Map Coloring Book, Interarts Ltd., Cambridge MA USA, ISBN 1-879856-15-8, which has both maps to color and flags to color. I usually carry this book for $4.95 but am out at the moment. There is another historical US coloring book which I carried once but haven't reordered for some time. Sorry, I don't have the information on this book, only to tell you it exists. You can check your local bookstore, or contact me and when the first book comes in I'll let you know. Lee L. Herold

A: I have a book called Flags of the World put out by Henderson Publishing. It is officially a "sticker" book. That is it has flags to be pasted on matching areas. The areas are about 1 1/8 inches (left to right), and 3/4 inches top to bottom. In lieu of attaching the stickers to the appropriate panels, you could color the panels the appropriate colors. You're welcome to this if you think it would fill the need. We have a local school supply store that carries a number of materials that could have a coloring book. I'll check with them the next time I'm in town. Truman Pope

A: As fate would have it, I have such an item. Its a bit old as I believe it was someone's Bicentennial effort, but it may still be in publication. I also seem to recall something similar either around the Betsy Ross House in Philly or at Ft. McHenry.
David Breitenbach

A: Thanks for the inquiry. You asked if the 42 star flag was rarer than other flags of the period. From my experience 42, 44, 45, and 46 star flags are of about equal rarity and value. Although the 42 star flag was never official apparently enough were made in late 1889 that they were fairly common. When the flag officially changed to 43 stars shortly thereafter (and was rapidly outdated again) the 42 star flags could legally be flown until worn out, but it appears that many were set aside as "oddities." Most that I have seen have not been flown too much, if at all. As far as their appeal to collectors, some value them more because they are oddballs (the flags, not the collectors) some less because they are not necessary as part of a "complete set." (A complete set of USA flags, all 27, is probably impossible as I do not know of any examples anywhere of some of them, 23 stars for example. Some civil war examples exist, but none from the 1820's.) Your flag would have a value in the $85 to $125 range on Internet auctions, while some antique dealers would likely charge more for such a flag. Hope this helps! Nick Artimovich

A: Seems like I get a lot of flag trivia questions these days. Is there some kind of contest going on? Anyway, to answer your question, the answer is Brazil, which displays a star for each of their 24 states plus one for the territories arranged in the form
of the constellations over Rio de Janero. Although the US Flag was the inspiration for this motief, unlike the stars on the US Flag the Brazilian stars correspond to actual constellations, each star corresponds to a specific political entity, and the stars are displayed in five different sizes. Dave Martucci

A: Although I do not know the ship, my guess it can be dated c. 1848-1850.  Here's why.  First of all, it is an Ivory carving. Are you certain it is not whalebone?  I would bet that it is and that it is a relic of the whaling industry (but be very careful, there are a lot of scrimshaw fakes out there; have it appraised by a scrimshaw expert).  I don't know MEREATOR but the flag is no mystery to me.  A US Flag with a Revolutionary inscription in place of the stars would be a logical and excellent choice for a common seaman laboring before the mast following the Revolutions of 1848 in Europe.  One of the most common slogans that came out of the barricades during the Paris resistance was that they were fighting for "The Rights of Man."  Several famous ships subsequent to this event bore this name and one still sails the 7 seas (it is berthed in Philadelphia and its mission is to take street tough kids in trouble with the law and, as an alternative to jail, teach them team skills and high school all in one long voyage).  I would guess the inscription on the flag is RIGHTS OF MAN. I  know this doesn't fit the letters you have mapped out but it is the only slogan of that era I know was used a lot.  Perhaps there is some kind of abbreviation and punctuation involved.  The center line may be more decorative than inscriptive, like this:

RGTS
-OF-
MAN.

When scrimshawing small inscriptions, abbreviations were very common.  Anyway, that is my best educated guess.  I'm submitting this to the NAVA webmaster for inclusion on our web page of questions and answers.  If someone makes any other suggestions as to what the inscription may be, I'll let you know. Dave Martucci

A: I am not sure what you are referring to.  The present US Flag design was made official in 1960 and there is probably a Presidential Order number associated with that*.......Perhaps you mean which design number it is.  That depends on how you count them.  Officially, the 50th star is the 26th addition (change) to the flag but we usually count the Continental Colors as the first (unofficial) national flag, so it is the 27th US Flag.  Dave Martucci

A: *Executive order 10834 of August 21, 1959, published in the August 25, 1959 Federal Register, volume 24, number 166. Charles A. Spain

A: NO!  Don't take any old wool flag to your local drycleaners.  An old flag such as the one you have won't take kindly to most normal cleaning techniques.  Professional textile conservators use a special low-volume vacuum cleaner with a screen over the cleaning wand to pull suspended dirt particles from the flag.  They also have a technique wherein the flag is "flushed" in pure, deionized water while the pH value is monitored.  Also, don't iron the flag, particularly with a steam iron.  Ironing can damage the old fibers which are probably already brittle from age.  Your best bet is to contact a textile conservation specialist, such as Textile Preservation Associates in Sharpsburg, Maryland, USA.  Also, check with your local museums.  If they're well equipped they may be able to clean it for you (for a fee or donation) or suggest a professional who can.
Richard R. Gideon

A: You may have an early 48 star flag, say around 1913 or so.  Many of the early 48 star flags used staggered star patterns. According to museum specialists the best way to store a flag is to lay it flat on some kind of acid-free backing, such as archival tissue or museum grade polymer.  Flat storage could be a problem, particularly if the flag is big or you don't have the room.  The next best thing is to ROLL the flag around a fat tube.  Use acid-free archival tissue to buffer the turns.  Store it in a relatively cool, dry place.  In most homes a closet off the living area will suffice because central heating and/or air-conditioning assures a uniform environment; and if you're comfortable the flag probably is too.  Avoid storing a flag anyplace where temperature or humidity could become extreme; an unfinished basement or attic for example.  Richard R. Gideon

A: It is a mathematical way of expressing proportion, and represents the ratio of a flag's hoist to its fly, or how "tall" a flag is to how "wide" it is. For example, many flag are 3 feet along the hoist (where you attach the flag to a pole) and 5 feet long. The aspect ratio is 3:5. Aspect ratio may be set by a government, by tradition, or by the designer. It wasn't until 1912 that the United States established official specifications for its flags, establishing an aspect ratio of 10:19. Designers often use aspect ratio as a starting point in creating a new design. Some common ratios are 1:2, 3:5, 2:3 and 5:8. But there are plenty of others. Richard R. Gideon

A: Here is a little information for you:
(READ - DATE OF ADMISSION, # OF STARS IN THE FLAG, THE ISSUE OF THE FLAG, AND THE STATE THAT REFLECTS THE CHANGE)

July 4, 1859.......... 33.......... 15.......... Oregon
July 4, 1861.......... 34.......... 16.......... Kansas
July 4, 1863.......... 35.......... 17.......... West Virginia
July 4, 1865.......... 36.......... 18.......... Nevada

From this list the legal flag of 1862 would be 34 stars. Except for the original 13 star US flag and the 15 star US flag, all flag changes were (and are) slated for the 4th of July following the admission of a state. Richard R. Gideon

A: No one really knows the origin of the term "Union Jack" but it certainly predates "John Bull," which originated only in the last century. The Union flag was designed in 1606 and almost immediately was designated as the correct "Jack" to fly from the bowsprit pole of a War Ship. Many believe the term originated because of that. Others assume some kind of affectionate link with "King Jack" (a corruption of "Jacques" which was the formal name of King James I). Dave Martucci

A: I have never heard that Union Jack has anything to do with John Bull. The nickname, John Bull, was used in the 1600's but the popular idea of John Bull was fixed in 1712 by John Arbuthnot who published The History of John Bull and represented him as a jolly, hot-tempered farmer. The word Union comes from the union of England & Scotland in 1606 with the combination of the Cross of Saint George and the Cross of St. Andrew flags into one. I don't think the true source of the word "jack" has been authenticated. The closet may be that "jack" is referred to as a small flag on a vessel and that term may have been around when the Union Flag (England and Scotland) was flown from a vessel. The Union Flag, in the form we know it today, came about in 1800 with the addition of the Irish Cross of St. Patrick to the Cross of St. George and the Cross of St. Andrew and was officially hoisted as such on January 1, 1801. Truman Pope

A: Actually, no star represents any particular state. Rather, the whole compliment represents the UNION of the STATES. Dave Martucci