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State Flags MT-WY

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13-cent Montana state flag single

The 13-cent Montana State Flag issue (Scott 1673) depicts the modification of an 1898 flag design by Colonel Kessler, head of the First Montana Infantry, which was adopted by Montana's Legislative Assembly in 1905. The rectangular banner pictures the state seal centered on a blue field.

The state flag is blue with a gold fringe on the top and bottom edges. The Montana state seal depicts a brilliant sun over snowy mountains, forests, and cliffs. The Great Falls of the Missouri River serve as the background for a pick, shovel, and plow. These tools represent Montana's mining and farming economies. A ribbon at the seal's bottom bears the state motto—"ORO Y PLATA" (Spanish for “Gold and Silver”).

In 1981 the Legislature passed a bill requiring that the word "MONTANA," printed in Roman letters, be positioned above the seal. This was changed to a 'Helvetica' bold font in 1985.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Nebraska state flag single

The 13-cent Nebraska State Flag issue (Scott 1669) represents one of the last state flags adopted, the flag of Nebraska. In 1963 Nebraska's state banner became the state's official flag.

Representative J. Lloyd McMaster introduced a bill in 1925 designating a state banner. The bill passed and became statute. The law describes the banner as "a reproduction of the Great Seal of the State charged on the center in gold and silver on a field of national blue."

The themes of transportation, industry, settlement, and agriculture are depicted on Nebraska's seal. The eastern section of the circular seal pictures a steamboat ascending the Missouri River. The mechanic arts are represented by a smith with a hammer and anvil. Agriculture is represented by a settler’s cabin, sheaves of wheat, and stalks of growing corn, and in the background a train steams toward the Rocky Mountains. The Rocky Mountains rise in the extreme west.

A ribbon bearing the state motto—"Equality Before the Law"—waves above the images, and around the outside of the seal are the words "Great Seal of the State of Nebraska, March 1, 1867." Nebraska gained statehood as the nation's 37th state in 1867.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Nevada state flag single

The 13-cent Nevada State Flag issue (Scott 1668) pictures the flag designed by Louis Schellbach III in 1927 and adopted as the state flag in 1929.

The cobalt blue Nevada state flag features two sprays of sagebrush, the Nevada state flower, in a semi-circular pattern in the upper left corner. Above the spray is the word "NEVADA," (a Spanish word for "snow-clad"), a reference to the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Above the state name is a silver star representing Nevada's state mineral, silver. Admitted to the Union during the Civil War, Nevada blazoned the words "BATTLE BORN" on its flag above the star.

In November 1989 a clerical error in the flag's legislation of sixty years earlier was discovered. The letters of the state name ended up inscribed between the points of the star as prescribed by the original amendment and not beneath the sagebrush sprays as determined by a legislative compromise. In 1991, due to this discovery, the placement of the word "Nevada" on the state flag was adjusted.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent New Hampshire state flag single

The 13-cent New Hampshire State Flag (Scott 1641) depicts the state flag adopted in 1909. The stamp features the state seal on a blue field surrounded by laurel leaves. The nine stars commemorate New Hampshire as the ninth colony to join the United States. The flag changed in 1931 when the state's seal was modified.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent New Jersey state flag single

Formally adopted in 1896, the New Jersey state flag ". . . shall be of a buff color, having in the center thereof the Arms of the state properly emblazoned thereon." The 13-cent New Jersey State Flag issue (Scott 1635) displays the state coat-of-arms emblazoned in the center of a buff-colored field. The shield has three plows and a horse's head, two women representing the goddesses of liberty and agriculture, and a ribbon at the bottom that includes the year of independence (1776) and reads "Liberty and Prosperity."

The buff color dates to 1779 and the New Jersey regiments mustered for the Revolutionary War. General Washington directed that the coats of the soldiers of the New Jersey regiments be dark blue faced with buff. These colors were chosen to honor the original Dutch settlers of New Jersey. Jersey blue and buff were the colors of the Netherlands.

On February 28, 1780, the Continental regiments were directed to carry two flags—the U.S. flag and a state flag the color of the military uniform facing. The New Jersey state flag has carried that color with it for over two hundred years.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent New Mexico state flag single

The 13-cent New Mexico State Flag stamp (Scott 1679) portrays the flag designed by Dr. Harry and Reba Mera and adopted in March 1925. The design is a modern interpretation of an ancient symbol of a sun design. A nineteenth century water jar from New Mexico's Zia Pueblo also bore this sun design. Zia Pueblo is thought to have been the birthplace of this ancient sun symbol. It is also thought to have been one of the Seven Golden Cities of Cíbola sought by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado.

The red sun symbol or "Zia" appears on a field of yellow, suggesting the basic harmony of all things in the universe. Four is the sacred number of Zia, and the figure is composed of a circle from which four points radiate.

The red and yellow colors are the colors of Isabel of Castilla, brought to the continent by Spanish conquistadors.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent New York state flag single

The 13-cent New York State Flag (Scott 1643) features a modern version of a Revolutionary War flag. Today's New York state flag displays the state coat-of-arms, adopted in 1778, centered on a dark blue field.

The shield depicts a cloudless sky with a rising sun behind three mountains—the highlands of the Hudson River—bordered by a grassy shore fringed with shrubs. A three-masted, square-rigged ship and a Hudson River sloop navigate towards each other.

Beneath the shield on a white ribbon is the state motto—"Excelsior" or "Ever Upward." Above the shield, the crest shows a bald eagle, wings spread, perched atop a globe depicting the northern Atlantic Ocean. The eagle faces right, considered to be a good omen.

On one side of the shield stands 'Justice'. Her hair decorated with pearls, she is clothed in gold with a blue belt edged in red, and a loose red robe hangs from her shoulder.

Opposite Justice stands 'Liberty' holding a pole topped with the Phrygian cap that was given to Roman slaves when emancipated and, later, adopted as a symbol of Liberty. A crown is at her left foot, thrown there to symbolize the failed control of the British Monarchy. Liberty is clothed in blue and wears red sandals. A red robe hangs from her shoulder, and pearls decorate her unbound hair.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent North Carolina state flag single

The 13-cent North Carolina State Flag (Scott 1644) features a revised version of the state flag flown during the Civil War.

On June 22, 1861, North Carolina adopted a flag having a red field with two bars making up the fly, the top bar blue and the bottom bar white. Centered on the red field was a white five-pointed star, and above the star in a semi-circular mold was the date May 20, 1775, commemorating the "Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence." Below the star was the date May 20, 1861, representing the date of North Carolina's secession from the Union.

In March, 1865, North Carolina adopted a revised design for its state flag. The flag's field was changed from red to blue. The top bar of the fly was changed from blue to red. The gilt letters 'N' and 'C' were placed on either side of the white star, and gilt scrolls were added above and below the star. The scroll above still displays the date of the "Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence," but the date displayed in black letters on the lower scroll displays April 12, 1776, the date of the "Hallifax Resolves" instead of the date of secession.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent North Dakota state flag single

The 13-cent North Dakota State Flag issue (Scott 1671) depicts the state flag adopted by the North Dakota Legislative Assembly on January 21, 1911. The legislation specifically required that the flag conform to the color, form, and size of the regimental flag carried by the North Dakota infantry during the Spanish-American War (1898) and Philippine Island Insurrection (1899), the only exception being that “North Dakota” was to be displayed on the scroll below the bald eagle.

North Dakota's dark blue field serves as a backdrop for a bald eagle clutching an olive branch and a bundle of arrows. In its beak the eagle carries a ribbon with the words “One nation made up of many states." The shield on its breast has thirteen stars, representing the original thirteen states. The fan-shaped design above the eagle represents the birth of the new nation, and the name "North Dakota" appears on a red scroll below the eagle.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Ohio state flag single

The 13-cent Ohio State Flag (Scott 1649) features a unique design among the state flags. Designed by John Eisemann and adopted on May 9, 1902, the Ohio burgee is properly a swallowtail design.

Mr. Eisemann explained the symbolism of the design as follows, saying, "The triangles formed by the main lines of the flag represent the hills and valleys as typified in the State Seal, and the stripes the roads and waterways. The stars, indicating the 13 original states of the Union, are grouped about the circle which represents the Northwest Territory; and that Ohio was the seventeenth state admitted into the Union is shown by adding four more stars. The white circle with its red center, not only represents the initial letter of Ohio, but is suggestive of its being the 'Buckeye State'."

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Oklahoma state flag single

Mrs. Louise Fluke designed the Oklahoma state flag, which was adopted on April 2, 1925. The flag honors more than sixty groups of Native Americans and their ancestors, many of whom the federal government uprooted and resettled in Oklahoma during the nineteenth century. The 13-cent Oklahoma State Flag issue (Scott 1678) features an image of that flag.

The blue field represents a flag carried by Choctaw soldiers during the Civil War. The center shield is the battle shield of an Osage warrior made of buffalo hide and decorated with eagle feathers. Two symbols of peace lie across the shield: the calumet, or peace pipe, and an olive branch. Crosses on the shield are Native American signs for stars, representing high ideals.

The flag is a rich sky blue with "OKLAHOMA" in white (added in 1941). The Osage war shield is tan and outlined in red, the peace pipe is white with red tips, and the olive branch is green.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Oregon state flag single

The flag of Oregon is the only state flag with different designs on each side. The 13-cent Oregon State Flag stamp (Scott 1659) features an image of the front side; on the reverse appears a beaver, the state animal.

Adopted in 1925, the flag face displays the words "STATE OF OREGON" above a gold shield surrounded by thirty-three stars. The stars represent Oregon as the 33rd state to be admitted to the Union. Below the shield, "1859" in gold numerals announces the year that Oregon was admitted to the Union

The shield bears images of a blazing sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, mountains, forests, and a Conestoga wagon. A plow, a sheaf of wheat, and a pickax represent the state's early industry, agriculture, and mining. Two ships are shown—a departing British Man-of-War and an arriving American trade vessel—representing trade and the fact that both Great Britain and the United States at one time claimed Oregon.

The American eagle and a banner with the words "The Union" express support for United States.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Pennsylvania state flag single

The first Pennsylvania state flag to display the Pennsylvania coat-of-arms was authorized by the General Assembly in 1799. The state coat-of-arms was embroidered on a blue field on both sides of the flag. On June 13, 1907, an act of the Pennsylvania General Assembly standardized the flag's design and required that the field of blue be the same color as the blue of the flag of the United States.

The state coat-of-arms, designed by Caleb Lownes, was that of provincial Pennsylvania's Penn family. Numerous modifications were made to this coat-of-arms between 1778 and 1873, chiefly in the position and color of the supporting horses. In 1874 the legislature appointed a commission to establish an official coat-of-arms for the Commonwealth, and in 1875 adopted, almost unchanged, the coat-of-arms originally designed by Lownes ninety-six years earlier.

The 13-cent Pennsylvania State Flag (Scott 1634) issue displays the emblems of the state seal on a blue field: the ship, plough, and sheaves of wheat; an eagle for the crest; two black horses as supporters; and the motto "Virtue, Liberty and Independence." An olive branch and a cornstalk cross below the shield.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Rhode Island state flag single

The third of the original thirteen colonies to formally adopt a state flag, Rhode Island adopted its state flag as it presently exists at the January legislative session of 1897. New Jersey and New York adopted flags in 1896. The 13-cent Rhode Island State Flag issue features an image of that flag.

The flag's colors, white and blue, are the same as those used in the flags carried by the Rhode Island regiments during the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War. The stars represent the thirteen original states and were used on flags of the Continental regiments from Rhode Island during the Revolution. The anchor has been associated symbolically with Rhode Island since its beginnings. In 1647 the anchor was adopted as the seal of the province under the Patent of 1643 setting up the Providence Plantations. Later, when a more liberal charter was granted by King Charles II, the word "Hope" was added over the head of the anchor.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent South Carolina state flag single

Adopted January 28, 1861, the South Carolina state flag flew during the Civil War. The 13-cent South Carolina State Flag issue features an image of the flag.

The flag's original design dates to 1775. Asked by the Revolutionary Council of Safety to design a flag for the use of the South Carolina troops, Col. William Moultrie chose a blue which matched the color of the soldiers' uniforms and a crescent which reproduced the silver emblem worn on the front of their caps.

South Carolina needed a national flag after it seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860. The General Assembly considered a wide range of designs but simply added the palmetto to the original design to represent Moultrie's heroic defense of the palmetto-log fort on Sullivan's Island against the attack of the British fleet on June 28, 1776.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent South Dakota state flag single

The 13-cent South Dakota State Flag stamp (Scott 1672) depicts the state flag adopted in 1963. From 1909 until 1963 images appeared on the flag's two sides. When it was decided to retain only one side, the designs were combined.

The state seal of South Dakota is centered on a sky blue field surrounded by the rays of the sun. Encircling the seal and the sun are the words "South Dakota" and "The Mount Rushmore State." The outer circle of the seal bears the words "State of South Dakota" and "Great Seal 1889."

The state seal represents South Dakota's commerce, industry, and natural resources. The state's motto—"Under God the People Rule"—appears over the inner circle. Within the circle is a background of sky and hills; a river runs through agricultural and industrial land; mining is represented with a smelting furnace; a steam ship plies the waters of the river; and a farmer plows a field against a backdrop of cattle and a cornfield.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Tennessee state flag single

LeRoy Reeves of the Third Regiment, Tennessee Infantry, designed the Tennessee state flag, which was officially adopted on April 17, 1905. The 13-cent Tennessee State Flag stamp (Scott 1648) features an image of that flag.

Three white stars represent the three grand divisions of the state and symbolize purity. They are bound together by the blue field's endless circle. The large field is crimson, and the final blue bar relieves the sameness of the crimson field.

The "three grand divisions of the state" are the three sharply contrasting geographical divisions of the state of Tennessee: east Tennessee, defined by the Great Smokey Mountains, the Cumberland Plateau; middle Tennessee defined by the circuitous path of the Tennessee River; and west Tennessee between the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Texas state flag single

The 13-cent Texas State Flag stamp (Scott 1660) features an image of the national flag of the Republic of Texas adopted on January 25, 1839. When Texas became the 28th state in 1845, the national flag was adopted as the state flag. As with the flag of the United States, the blue stands for loyalty, the white represents strength, and the red is for bravery. During the Civil War, Texas flew the Confederate flag.

In "The Lone Star Flag of Texas," an article that appeared in the September 1948 issue of Frontier Times, author Adina de Zavala suggested a meaning for each point of the star. According to the article, the five points of the star represent the characteristics of a good citizen: fortitude, loyalty, righteousness, prudence, and broadmindedness.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Utah state flag single

The 13-cent Utah State Flag stamp (Scott 1677) depicts the flag adopted by the Utah State Legislature in 1896 and then revised in 1913. The revised design was commissioned in 1912 by the Sons and Daughters of Utah Pioneers to be presented to the battleship Utah.

The Utah state flag has a blue background with the state seal inscribed in the center and circled by a thin gold line. An American eagle with wings outspread and talons grasping six arrows symbolize protection in peace and war. The bee hive symbolizes hard work and industry, and the sego lily symbolizes peace. A draped American flag signifies support for the nation.

Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, and Utah entered the Union as the 45th state in 1896. The flag features both dates.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Vermont state flag single

Vermont was the fourteenth state admitted to the Union. The 13-cent Vermont State Flag stamp (Scott 1646) displays the Vermont state coat-of-arms on a blue field as adopted in 1919 as the state flag. This was the third Vermont state flag authorized.

The coat-of-arms bears a green landscape, which graces half of the shield. In the right and left background, the flag includes images of high mountains and a yellow sky. From near the base and reaching nearly to the top of the shield arises a pine tree of the natural color between three erect yellow sheaves and a red cow standing in the field.

A scroll beneath the shield includes the Vermont motto—"Freedom and Unity". Two crossed pine branches of natural color appear between the shield and scroll. A buck's head appears above the shield.

References:

  • Scott 2005 Specialized Catalogue of U.S. Stamps and Covers
  • NETSTATE.com (netstate.com/states/symb/flags/tn_flag.htm)
  • SHG Resources (shgresources.com/tn/symbols/flag/ Accessed February 1, 2007)
  • e-ReferenceDesk.com (e-referencedesk.com/resources/state-symbols/vermont/coat-of-arms.html Accessed February 1, 2007

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Virginia state flag single

The 13-cent Virginia State Flag stamp (Scott 1642) features an image of the state flag adopted in 1861. The flag represents the Commonwealth of Virginia's love of freedom.

A deep blue field with a circular white center contains the seal of Virginia with the Latin motto "Sic Semper Tyrannis" ("Thus Always to Tyrants"). The two figures, both dressed as warriors, are acting out the motto's meaning. The woman, Virtue, represents Virginia. His fallen crown nearby, the man holds a scourge and chain signifying that he is a tyrant.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Washington state flag single

The 13-cent Washington State Flag stamp (Scott 1674) depicts the state flag adopted in 1923, more than thirty years after Washington was admitted to the Union.

Olympia, Washington, jeweler Charles Talcott first designed the flag in 1889. He used an ink bottle and a silver dollar to draw the rings of the seal and then pasted a postage stamp in the center for the picture of George Washington. His brother L. Grant Talcott lettered the words "The Seal of the State of Washington 1889." Another brother, George N. Talcott, cut the printing dye from a color drawing of George Washington that appeared on packing box of 'Dr. D. Jaynes Cure for Coughs & Colds' when, under magnification, the postage stamp proved poorly detailed.

The flag is dark green with a reproduction of the Washington state seal in the center. The words "The Seal of the State of Washington" encircle the seal. Beneath the figure of Washington appears "1889," the year of Washington statehood.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent West Virginia state flag single

The 13-cent West Virginia State Flag stamp (Scott 1667) features an image of the West Virginia state flag.

Adopted in 1929, the flag of West Virginia displays the state's coat-of-arms centered on a white field. The date of admission to the Union—June 20, 1863—is etched on a stone, and the state motto—"Montani Semper Liberi" (“Mountaineers Always Freemen”)—is printed on a ribbon below the farmer and the miner.

A red ribbon floats above the coat-of-arms bearing the words "State of West Virginia." Wreathed rhododendron, the state flower, is arranged below the coat-of-arms. The pure white field is bordered in blue on all four sides.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Wisconsin state flag single

The 13-cent Wisconsin State Flag issue (Scott 1662) depicts Wisconsin's coat-of-arms centered on a dark blue background. The coat-of-arms represents many of the state's natural resources and early pioneers' contributions to the state's development. Civil War regiments desiring an official flag to fly during battle requested the state flag, and the legislature acted on that desire in 1863. The flag was changed in 1913, specifying a dark blue background.

At the top of a shield on a dark blue field is the state motto, "Forward." Below the motto is the badger, which is the state animal and the name given to lead miners. A sailor and miner show that residents work on water and land. The shield in the center shows Wisconsin's support for the United States. In four sections surrounding the shield are representations of the states main industries—agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and navigation. The cornucopia and pile of lead represent farm products and minerals.

The flag law was amended in 1979 to include the name of the state and the date of statehood.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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13-cent Wyoming state flag single

Verna Keays of Casper, Wyoming, designed the Wyoming state flag, adopted on January 31, 1917. The 13-cent Wyoming State Flag issue (Scott 1676) features an image of that flag.

A bison, the Wyoming state mammal, is centered on a blue field bordered in white and red. The state seal is branded on the bison. The woman represents the state motto—"Equal Rights"—and the two men represent cattle ranchers and miners. The words "Livestock," "Mines," "Grains," and "Oil" represent Wyoming's wealth. The eagle and shield signify support for the United States. The dates establish the years Wyoming was organized as a territory of the U.S. (1869) and its statehood (1890).

The colors of the state flag are the same as those of the U.S. flag. The red border represents Native Americans, the original settlers, and the blood of the pioneers who gave their lives claiming the soil; white is the emblem of purity and uprightness; and, blue, the color of the sky and mountains, is symbolic of fidelity, justice, and virility.

References:

Doug D'Avino

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