11 x 17 in. printed cotton flag.

With a canton derived from the British Union Jack and thirteen stripes representing each of the North American colonies, the Grand Union Flag is considered the first, though unofficial, National Flag of the United States. It was used briefly during the War of Independence, 1775 to 1777, as a naval ensign- purportedly first raised on the warship Alfred on the Delaware River at Philadelphia by the legendary John Paul Jones. It has been recorded as the flag raised by George Washington and the militia on Prospect Hill in Boston on 1 January 1776. The example offered here was likely made ca mid-to-late 20th century.