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1840, Wm. Henry Harrison Election Campaign flag (U.S.)

image by Randy Young, 16 October 2004

Description of the flag

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Description of the flag

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

image located by William 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."
William Garrison, 9 December 2008