Flags and Banners
Flags.
I will try to be consistent on this page and use the word "flag" to mean the design on cloth that is recognised to represent a country or other land area, or association. It will be able to be attached to a pole to be carried by a bearer or flown from a flagpole. It must therefore have a thin white sturdy cloth tube at what is called the "hoist" side of the flag in which the pole or rope and toggle will be put. Flags, intended for long term use in all weathers, made before synthetic fibres were available, will be usually of a heavy coarse material, usually wool, cotton or linen. They may have had some waterproofing chemical applied which can give old flags a distinctive smell. Banners. Banners may have the design of real flags but can also have unofficial additions or be "defaced". They are intended for a short term celebration or commemoration. They have no means of attaching to poles and so often have a series of holes, usually with rust stains, where the have been nailed or pinned. They are usually printed on thin cotton and were not intended for prolonged usage. |
World War II flag of New Caledonia. |
New Caledonia is a French Administered Territory consisting of many islands in the Pacific Ocean. In 1940 the New Caledonia Conseil General decided not to recognise the Vichy Government of German occupied France, but voted to support the Free French Government. Hence the change of flag from the French tricolor to this dark blue field with red Cross of Lorraine. In 1942 New Caledonia became an important base and staging point for the Allied military, mainly from USA, to repel the Japanese Pacific conquests.
From the damage to the bottom of the fly it would appear that the flag has been flown. The red cross is of a finer material than the blue field. It has been applied to both sides of the flag. On the hoist the number "3" is printed for this 3 feet by 2 feet flag. Hand printed in ink are the words "FREE FRANCE".
I bought the flag in the late 1970s from an antique shop in York. With it were a 3 feet 48 star USA printed flag and a 3 feet printed Canada flag (1921-1957 design).
The rounded ends make the cross similar to that on the badge of the 79th Infantry Division (United States). However the 79th did not operate in the Pacific during WWII.
From the damage to the bottom of the fly it would appear that the flag has been flown. The red cross is of a finer material than the blue field. It has been applied to both sides of the flag. On the hoist the number "3" is printed for this 3 feet by 2 feet flag. Hand printed in ink are the words "FREE FRANCE".
I bought the flag in the late 1970s from an antique shop in York. With it were a 3 feet 48 star USA printed flag and a 3 feet printed Canada flag (1921-1957 design).
The rounded ends make the cross similar to that on the badge of the 79th Infantry Division (United States). However the 79th did not operate in the Pacific during WWII.
Banner of the United States of America 44 star flag.
Known as the "Wyoming flag" this dates from 1890 to 1896.
Known as the "Wyoming flag" this dates from 1890 to 1896.
British Empire banner.
This banner is usually 34 inches by 27. In the same size you can find Union Flags, and banners for countries within the Union and the Empire.This particular example has bunting tape attached which means it has escaped the usual rusty pin holes.
The attractive, complex design is not official. The Canadian part of the flag dates from 1921 to 1957. Some sellers try to pin exact date on the banner e.g. 1923 British Empire Exhibition, or Royal events of 1935 and 1937. If this were the case then the banners would have the appropriate date in the design. These opinions ignore the fact that during the 1920s and 1930s, when this banner was made, the British Empire itself was the source of celebration. British Empire Day would be the occasion to display this flag, and as it happened every year (later becoming Commonwealth Day) there was no need to put a date on it.
This banner is usually 34 inches by 27. In the same size you can find Union Flags, and banners for countries within the Union and the Empire.This particular example has bunting tape attached which means it has escaped the usual rusty pin holes.
The attractive, complex design is not official. The Canadian part of the flag dates from 1921 to 1957. Some sellers try to pin exact date on the banner e.g. 1923 British Empire Exhibition, or Royal events of 1935 and 1937. If this were the case then the banners would have the appropriate date in the design. These opinions ignore the fact that during the 1920s and 1930s, when this banner was made, the British Empire itself was the source of celebration. British Empire Day would be the occasion to display this flag, and as it happened every year (later becoming Commonwealth Day) there was no need to put a date on it.
Australian Federation flag or New South Wales Ensign.
A printed bunting flag approximate 30 inches long. Circa 1900 it is of the design used by the Australian Natives's Association and Australian Federation League.
Australian Red Ensign flag 1901-1903
This banner flag 100 cm by 62 cm has stars with different numbers of points to represent the different brightness of the stars in the Southern Cross. In 1903 the constellation stars were altered to have 7 points except for the smaller one which had 5 points. The large star under the Union flag had 6 points until 1909. The Union flag part is incorrectly done.
This banner flag 100 cm by 62 cm has stars with different numbers of points to represent the different brightness of the stars in the Southern Cross. In 1903 the constellation stars were altered to have 7 points except for the smaller one which had 5 points. The large star under the Union flag had 6 points until 1909. The Union flag part is incorrectly done.
South Africa flag 1928 - 1994 Empire Day banners.
Printed banner flags for South Africa. Although the official date for the flag is 1928-1994 it does appear in a string of bunting flags for Britain's allies of World War One (see below). The small WWI flag has the same error as one of the larger flags in that the front of the United Kingdom Union flag is shown rather than the reverse and also shows the Orange Free State flag not reversed.
At the centre of the flag the 3 flags of the United Kingdom, Orange Free State and Transvaal are joined together in a diplomatic compromise. When correctly shown the Union Flag is in first position going from left to right, but as it is shown with the hoist attached to the Orange Free State flag it is shown reversed. The Orange Free State flag is shown higher than the other 2 but is also reversed and rotated. The Transvaal flag is shown correctly but in third place.
As the Orange Free State flag has the Dutch flag in its canton the South Africa flag uniquely has a flag on a flag on a flag.
At the centre of the flag the 3 flags of the United Kingdom, Orange Free State and Transvaal are joined together in a diplomatic compromise. When correctly shown the Union Flag is in first position going from left to right, but as it is shown with the hoist attached to the Orange Free State flag it is shown reversed. The Orange Free State flag is shown higher than the other 2 but is also reversed and rotated. The Transvaal flag is shown correctly but in third place.
As the Orange Free State flag has the Dutch flag in its canton the South Africa flag uniquely has a flag on a flag on a flag.
Ireland banner British green ensign.
This Ireland banner is the same size as the British Empire banner above. It was probably made to be used as bunting. The appearance of the edge of another Union flag on one photo show that it was one of many banners cut from a longer piece of cloth, the small white dots showing where to cut on the green part. It is unlikely that this banner would have been made after the 1920s.
The design on this unofficial banner was also used unofficially on flags as a ship's ensign.
The design on this unofficial banner was also used unofficially on flags as a ship's ensign.
Ireland printed cotton flag circa 1890-1900s.
New Zealand red ensign flag with disc, circa 1900.
A 3ft flag that would be suitable for an ensign for a small boat, however it shows no signs of having been flown. It is printed on one piece of cloth. Looking at the disc, it appears that the colours have been appiled separately. There is a dark ring around the blue disc and the red stars have an uneven white edge. The history of the New Zealand flag is complex. "Signalling" flags in both blue and red were designed at the end of the 19th century. This flag is in very good condition if it was made, as it seems, around 1900.
Lord Roberts Boer War Union Jack Banner
First World War allied bunting.
This string of bunting linking the British Empire with France and Belgium appears to be from World War One. The appearance of the Russian flag would further indicate the earlier years of the war rather than for peace celebrations. The Canadian flag is the one used 1871 - 1921, however the South Africa flag is an enigma as it is not officially adopted until 1928. As mentioned in the description of the South Africa flags earlier on this page, the Union Flag and Orange Free State flag are shown incorrectly.
United Kingdom Royal Standard.
Queen Victoria Coronation Jubilee commemorative banners.
These 4 flags commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden (1887) and Diamond (1897) Jubilees. Victoria acceded the throne in 1837 but, similarly with Queen Elizabeth II, was not crowned until the following year so these are accession jubilee commemoratives rather than for the coronation jubilees. They are all based on the Union Flag. It seems strange that the care taken over the elaborate designs was not extended to reproducing the Union Flag accurately The second flag has white tape on the hoist so would have probably have been part of a string of bunting.
Flag lengths are 75cm, 65cm, 36cm and 43cm respectively.
The detail of the last flag shows Victoria with the future King Edward VIII. The flag is not dated but the official photograph on which it is based was taken in 1896.
https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw258797/Queen-Victoria-Prince-Edward-Duke-of-Windsor-King-Edward-VIII
Flag lengths are 75cm, 65cm, 36cm and 43cm respectively.
The detail of the last flag shows Victoria with the future King Edward VIII. The flag is not dated but the official photograph on which it is based was taken in 1896.
https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw258797/Queen-Victoria-Prince-Edward-Duke-of-Windsor-King-Edward-VIII
Edward VII Royal Standard commemorative banners.
Banners commemorating the coronation of KIng Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902. The first twp banners, are in remarkable condition. Theyhave clearly never been used and are free of any damage from wear and tear or sunlight. They were bought with several others in similar condition - a rare find.
The 28 inch long Union Flag is shown in 2 states of wear. The second is in the condition more usually seen. The blue has faded to a grey or light blue. The Union Flag (Union Jack) is also more common than the above Royal Standards.
King Edward VII commemorative banner or head scarf circa 1902.
This silk square is has portraits of King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, the future King George V and Queen Mary and the future King Edward VIII as a boy. Included in the vast amount of detail the Gordon Highlander in standing on thistles, the Lifeguard on roses and the Irish Dragoon Guard on shamrock.
This silk square is has portraits of King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, the future King George V and Queen Mary and the future King Edward VIII as a boy. Included in the vast amount of detail the Gordon Highlander in standing on thistles, the Lifeguard on roses and the Irish Dragoon Guard on shamrock.
King George V commemorative banner circa 1911.
This small banner has references to the British Empire by pictures of animals; sheep, elephant, kangaroo, beaver and lion. Behind the cartouches of George V and Queen Mary are military figures more suitable for the final decades of the 19th century rather than shortly before the outbreak of World War One. Behind the Gordon Hghlander, in his kilt of Government set with yellow stripe, is a trumpeter of the househod cavalry. The sailor looks as if he is fighting on land as they did as "handymen" in the Relief of Ladysmith in the Boer War. He is in front of what looks like a member of the Egyptian Camel Corps of the Sudan War.
Edward VIII and George VI Coronation banners 1937.
rAfter Edward VIII acceded the throne in January 1936 preparations began for the Coronation to take place in May 1937. The many Edward VIII commemorative souvenirs (badges, mugs, plates, postcards etc.) that are today still easily found shows that production was well under way when Edward Abdicated in December 1936. Some pottery mugs already made were still sold but overstamped with an Abdication inscription. Other items produced used the same basic design but changed the face and name from Edward to his brother George.
The banners below are all for the 1937 coronation and came from the same large collection.
The larger banners were originally made for Edward with gold applied "E" and "R" under the Royal crest. On some the "E" has been altered by applying some ink and gold spray to make a "G". Over time the added spray has partly come away.
By just having "GOD SAVE THE KING", and Edward being succeeded by a brother rather than a sister, the smaller square bunting flags did not need any adjustment so could have been made in either 1936 or 1937. The one without the crown is susceptable to colour run is a similar design to a slightly larger and older version. This older version is of a thicker material more in keeping with flags of 1900-1918 so would have been made for the coronations of 1902 and 1911 or any British Empire day, Royal Visit, war or other cause for celebration.
George VI was already married to Elizabeth and, as she became Queen, often appears with him on commemoratives. Queen Elizabeth (later to become known as the Queen Mother) was Scottish which may explain why in the collection there was a number of Scottish royal standards.
The banners below are all for the 1937 coronation and came from the same large collection.
The larger banners were originally made for Edward with gold applied "E" and "R" under the Royal crest. On some the "E" has been altered by applying some ink and gold spray to make a "G". Over time the added spray has partly come away.
By just having "GOD SAVE THE KING", and Edward being succeeded by a brother rather than a sister, the smaller square bunting flags did not need any adjustment so could have been made in either 1936 or 1937. The one without the crown is susceptable to colour run is a similar design to a slightly larger and older version. This older version is of a thicker material more in keeping with flags of 1900-1918 so would have been made for the coronations of 1902 and 1911 or any British Empire day, Royal Visit, war or other cause for celebration.
George VI was already married to Elizabeth and, as she became Queen, often appears with him on commemoratives. Queen Elizabeth (later to become known as the Queen Mother) was Scottish which may explain why in the collection there was a number of Scottish royal standards.
King Edward VIII commemorative Union Jack banner.
King George VI commemorative Union Jack banner.
This banner is 33 inches by 22 inches. George VI became King in December 1936 and was crowned in May 1937. Albert, as he was then known, served on HMS Collingwood during the battle of Jutland in World War I. He is shown here wearing Naval dress. Although the banner was most likely made for the coronation it would have been displayed throughout his reign, including World War II.
Queen Elizabeth II
Royal banner of the royal arms of Scotland, lion rampant.
Two proper flags a 6 foot version and a 3 foot. The attached label on the larger one shows it was made by John Edgington of London. (Edgington manufactured rope to be used as a noose for executions in some British jails and the Nuremburg trials.)
These banners were made during the first half of the 20th century. Apart from the small 12 inch one, still with its pole, they are all between 27 and 40 inches long. The first banner came with other items made to commemorate the coronation in 1937. The Scotland flag would represent Queen Elizabeth (after 1952 to be known as the "Queen Mother").
On the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom, the Scottish lion occupies the 2nd quadrant except in Scotland when it swaps with the English 3 lions and occupies the Ist and 4th quadrants. The first image is a small banner, the second is a flag at Balmoral Castle.
The lion rampant appears on the badge of the Scottish Football Association. These supporters' flags are from the 1990s, the "Bonnie Scotland" one being bought at the 1996 European Championships. Since then the blue and white saltire has become more popular at matches.