Historic Flags

Historic Flags

All Star Flags
2925 Boundary Street Suite 9
Wilmington, NC 28405
Phone: 800-868-3524
Fax: 910-762-6675
Email: info@AllStarFlags.com

Choose from our wide array of historic flags for sale below. The stars on many of our historic American flags are unilaterally representative of the original thirteen colonies. The short but dynamic history of the United States is clearly represented in its historic flags; from the Bennington Flag and the Betsy Ross flag to the maritime insignia flags that have helped America fend off her enemies on the sea. No matter the material or size you choose, collectively these historical American flags have become a narrative of American history. You can own a part of our nation's history with these historic American flags. We have all versions of America's historic flags for sale below.

After the successful outcome of the American Revolution, American flags mainly bore stars and stripes, though their configuration could be very different, especially early on. The Bennington Flag, as well as the Betsy Ross Flag, are two perfect examples: both have thirteen stars and thirteen stripes of alternating red and white, but their layout is completely different.

Before the establishment of the Flag Act by the Continental Congress in 1777, different symbols and images were utilized to create these historics flags used by American colonies, states, citizens, and organizations. One was the Grand Union Flag, which incorporated the Union Jack and the flag of Great Britain, which is itself a combination of the English St George's Cross and the Scottish St Andrews' cross, both layered over each other and a blue background. Another popular image was that of a rattlesnake. In an effort to bring the colonies together for the Revolution, Benjamin Franklin portrayed the young America as a rattlesnake that had been cut into eight pieces. The Gadsden Flag also incorporates a coiled rattlesnake which is accompanied by the words "Don't Tread on Me".

The American flag is indubitably that which has united the country, but there have been many historical American flags before it. Understanding where this flag comes from, and indeed where the flags before it came from as well, gives us a deeper understanding of modern American history. These historical American flags provide us with a window into our nation's rich and illustrious past. All Star Flags has a complete collection of historic American flags for sale. Browse our collection of historic flags below.

Alamo Flag: The Alamo flag has ties to the flag of Mexico with its tri-color design (red, white and green). The center white panel features the year 1824 which relates to the alliance with the Mexican federal constitution. The flag was used until 1836 when versions of the Texas flag became prominent.

Bedford Flag: Considered the oldest flag in the United States, the Bedord flag is square in shape rather than the more standard rectangle sizing for flags (3x3' rather than 3x5' proportion). The flag is from Bedford, Massachusetts and was carried by the Bedford Minuteman in 1775. The Bedford flag has a crimson background with an armored soldier's arm and sword in the foreground. The Latin phrase "Vince Aut Morire," Conquer or Die, is inscribed on a ribbon that drapes around the soldier's sword.

Columbus Flag: The Columbus Flag is white with a green F (for Fernando) and Y (for Ysabel) with crowns above each letter and a cross centered in the middle. The Columbus Flag that was carried by Christopher Columbus (as the name suggests) was one of two flags carried by the explorer. The other flag was the Lions and Castles (Royal Flag).

Commodore Perry Flag: The Commodore Perry flag is navy blue with the slogan Don't Give Up The Ship in white lettering. The slogan is from Captain James Lawrence around 1813 aboard his ship the USS Chesapeake. Commodore Oliver Perry had the flag created and flew it aboard the USS Lawrence and USS Niagara.

Cowpens Flag: The Cowpens flag is also known as the 3rd Maryland Regiment flag. It was displayed following the American victory at the Revolutionary War battle at Cowpens, SC. The Cowpens Flag has thirteen alternating red and white stripes and a blue canton. Within the canton is a circle of twelve stars with one star in the middle.

Culpeper Flag: Revolutionary soldiers from Culpeper County, Virgina made famous the Culpeper flag. The flag features the revolutionary sayings "Don't Tread on Me!" and "Liberty or Death!" on a white flag with a coiled rattlesnake. The "The Culpeper Minute Men" text adorns a ribbon at the top of the flag.

Gonzales Flag: The white flag with "Come and Take It" inscription is known as the Gonzales Flag. The flag stems from the Texas Revolution against Mexico. The flag features a black star and black cannon above the text that represent a cannon provided to the people in Gonzales that Mexican forces later tried to take back.

Green Mountain Boys Flag: The Green Mountain Boys historic flag is green with a blue canton featuring 13 staggered stars. The flag was used as a regimental flag by the Green Mountain Boys in the Revolutionary War. The flag is still used today by the Vermont National Guard.

Lions and Castles Flag: The Castile and León, or Lions and Castles Flag features four quadrants of alternating red and white backgrounds. On the white quadrants are the Rampant Lion and on the red quadrants are the castles with three crenellations. This was one of two flags that Christopher Columbus brought with him.

Pine Tree Flag: The Pine Tree Flag was used primarily as a naval symbol for vessels on the Charles River between 1775 and 1777. The flag's simplistic design is a white background with a green pine tree and no text. The Pine Tree was a common symbol of the Revolutionary period.

Washington's Cruisers Flag: The Washington's Cruisers Flag was created around 1775 when George Washington's naval secretary, Col. Joseph Reed, proclaimed the need for a recognizable symbol for ships patrolling the Charles River. The white flag featured a green pine tree and the text "An Appeal To Heaven". The flag later became the Massachusetts Naval flag in 1776.