2000 33c The Stars and Stripes: Great Star Flag

U.S. #3403m
33¢ Great Star Flag (1837)
The Stars and Stripes

Issue Date: June 14, 2000
City: Baltimore, MD
Quantity: 4,000,000
Printed by: Banknote of America
Printing Method: Lithographed
Perforations: 10.5 x 11
Color: Multicolored

The Stars and S...  more

U.S. #3403m
33¢ Great Star Flag (1837)
The Stars and Stripes

Issue Date: June 14, 2000
City: Baltimore, MD
Quantity: 4,000,000
Printed by: Banknote of America
Printing Method: Lithographed
Perforations: 10.5 x 11
Color: Multicolored

The Stars and Stripes set of 20 stamps chronicles the development of the American flag from Colonial times to the present. Each flag has an interesting story behind it. 

There have been several “Great Star” flags throughout the years. At one time, the design was proposed for use on private ships and for the U.S. Navy. As depicted in this stamp, the flag consists of 13 stripes, a blue canton with 26 5-pointed stars arranged with one very large star in center, 5 smaller stars in each angle of center star, 5 smaller stars between each of the previous 5, and 3 yet smaller stars at each ordinal point.  The overall design gives the impression of a large star pointing down.