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Presidential Election Flags (U.S.)

Last modified: 2022-11-26 by rick wyatt
Keywords: united states | president | election |
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Wm. Henry Harrison election flag

[Wm. Henry Harrison election flag] image by Randy Young, 16 October 2004

From the book "Flags to Color, Washington to Lincoln," and is on page 23. It's listed as "William Henry Harrison election flag, 1840."

Quoted from book -
"Colors: White stars on blue; 9 red and 7 [sic: 8] white stripes; black lettering; wreath ribbon and coat red."

"It was common practice during the nineteenth century for candidates to political office to show their patriotism by displaying banners composed of the Stars and Stripes and their own portraits and slogans. It was not seen as desecration or disrespect and indeed the flag found its way into many items of home decoration, architecture, art and utilitarian objects. Eventually attitudes changed and the Flag Code as well as state laws eliminated the use of inscriptions and portraits on the national flag. In the process Old Glory became the object of a virtual religion of patriotism unknown in other countries."
Randy Young, 16 October 2004

[Wm. Henry Harrison election flag] image located by Bill Garrison, 9 December 2008

A Harrison campaign flag was posted on ebay:
"Original (1840) Campaign Flag of President William Henry Harrison 9th U.S. President
Dimensions: Approx. 21" High, 28.5" Wide Unframed.
13 Stars arranged in circle including 1 star in center. Hand painted on silk, 6 red stripes, 6 white stripes.

This flag shows a circular ball in it. The 'significance' of this ball is that back in the 1830s during political campaigns, supporters of a candidate would make large wooden or cloth balls (6-8 feet in height) and roll them between communities to display and thereby advertize the campaign slogans of a candidate."
Bill Garrison, 9 December 2008


Stephen A. Douglas and Herschel V. Johnson campaign banner -1858

[Stephen A. Douglas and Herschel V. Johnson campaign banner -1858] image by Blas Delgado Ortiz, 23 December 2005

This flag apparently had some lettering in the form of a long sentence or sentences written vertically in black, taking up three lines through the red & white stripes, just in the middle area from the canton to the fly edge. Douglas was reelected in 1858 while running against Lincoln.
Blas Delgado Ortiz, 23 December 2005


Grant/Colfax Campaign Flags - 1868

[Grant/Colfax Campaign Flag, c.1868] image located by Bill Garrison, 13 July 2008

[Grant/Colfax Campaign Flag, c.1868] image located by Bill Garrison, 14 October 2022

Source: https://historical.ha.com

Pres./Gen.Ulysses S. Grant: Large Graphic 1868 Campaign Flag. This amazing muslin flag is unlisted in Collins' work, Threads Of History. The graphic and unusual flowing font is large and interesting, taking up most of the flag's field. The imposing 22.5" x 33.5" size is a feature that immediately attracts attention. Additionally, and not to be overlooked, is the appealing 36-star arrangement in the canton. A very unusual pattern resembling an arrangement found in a similar but much smaller flag in the Ralph E. Becker Collection at the Smithsonian.
Bill Garrison, 14 October 2022


Blaine presidential candidate, c.1884

[Blaine presidential candidate, c.1884] image located by Bill Garrison, 30 August 2007

[Blaine presidential candidate, c.1884] image located by Bill Garrison, 14 October 2011