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11 Star Flag (U.S.)

images by Duncan Clark, 6 August 2005

Description of the flag

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Description of the flag

I have an 11 star 13 stripe (alternating red and white) flag. It is all hand sewn, appears very old, made of wool with cotton or linen stars. It is 32 inches wide and 67 inches long. The grommets are sewn button holes, no metal was used. It is frayed on both trailing corners and slightly torn on the upper grommet corner, indicating that it has been flown in the past.

Here's what I've been told so far by experts and appraisers:
1) They've never seen or heard of a flag like mine before.
2) It may be a Civil War or pre Civil War flag of the Confederate Navy used on a small boat due to its size.
3) According to one source, it is one of many similar flags used at the 1876 Centennial celebration.

I've not found one reference personally to any flag with 11 stars and 13 stripes anywhere.
Duncan Clark, 6 August 2005

I have often wondered if 11 star flags were ever used about the time of Washington's first inauguration under the new US Constitution (4 March 1789). Only 11 states were members of the reformed union at the time. Rhode Island and North Carolina waited to see how things would go for a while before joining the other 11 in the new federation.
Devereaux Cannon, 7 August 2005