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1880, Garfield & Arthur President Campaign flags (U.S.)

Variant flags

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Variant flags

image located by William Garrison, 1 November 2024

1880 U.S. presidential campaign flag of James A. Garfield and Chester Arthur. A 26.5"x 18" glazed cotton flag. This particular design features 38 stars pointing in various directions, with "Garfield and Arthur" stamped in black block lettering done in an unusual, folk-inspired style.

Source: https://historical.ha.com/itm/political

William Garrison, 1 November 2024

image located by William Garrison, 5 March 2026

A "Garfield and Arthur" 39-star U.S. presidential campaign flag, 1880. Size: 17" x 25-3/4". Listed by Collins in "Threads of History" as #485 (in a smaller size).

Source: https://historical.ha.com

William Garrison, 5 March 2026

The Garfield and Arthur flag mentioned above has 39 stars. This is probably the most discussed of the various flags that never were. Dave Martucci opined that they were made in large numbers in expectation that Dakota Territory would be admitted as a state in time for the centennial celebration in 1876. In fact no more states were admitted until 1889-1890, when five were admitted in a rush, increasing the number of stars from 38 to 43. So, did someone think that Dakota was about to be admitted -- again -- in the presidential election year of 1880, and make a new flag for the occasion, or reuse a flag four years old?
John Ayer, 26 March 2026