American and United States Flags

Original RARE unofficial 42-Star military (fringed) flag that is a desirable size. The 42-star flag was never used officially because 5 states were added in 1890 making 43 stars. Flag makers could never be sure which states would be added and made some 42-star flags just in case. Offered here is an original, unused 42-star flag that is printed on cotton and has a 6 x 7 star pattern. The dimensions are 52 x 56 Inches, with 2 inch yellow silk fringe and the overall condition is near excellent throughout, excepting some separation fraying on the lower hoist tie, and several worn spots in the wool stripes at the extreme edge of the fly side, and some minor stains in the wool from long storage that should come out.

It has 42 separately applied 3 inch diameter linen stars on both sides (total of 82 stars) of a ony-piece wool field.  The 38 inch by37 inch field of blue wool is sewn to 5-1/2 inch wide stripes.  More detail of the field and fringe is here and the ties on the hoist side here, showing some of the construction of the tape ribbon style fasteners.

This is a historic old flag and is ready for display.

The 46 star flag was flown for only 4 years, from 1908 to 1912.  The 46th star represented the admission of the Indian Territory as Oklahoma.

It has 46 printed 1-1/2 inch diameter stars on a one-piece linen field.  The 13 inch by 15 inch blue field and the hoist side is also double stitched.  The hoist has no provision for attachment.  More detail of the flag is here, showing some of the minor damage from an unreadable painted marking.

It measures 24 inches high by 37 inches long.  The stripes are 1-3/4 inches wide and all individually double-stitched. The fly side is finished and double stitched.

The flag has some holes from years of display on a wall.

It has 50 machine embroidered 3-1/4 inch diameter silk floss stars on both sides of a one-piece wool field.  It has a 30 inch by 45 inch blue field and separately sewn 4-1/4 inch red and white stripes are reinforced on the hoist side with a heavy canvas 4 inch folded hoist with brass grommets top and bottom.  More detail of the flag is here.  This flag is bright and completely serviceable, ready to fly.

It measures 58 inches high by 128 inches long.  The stripes are 4-1/2 inches wide and all double-stitched. The fly side is finished and triple stitched

The original maker mark is on the hoist BEST 100% Cotton Bunting Valley Forge V-1.  This company is located in Spring City, Pennsylvania.

The flag has some holes from years of use and storage.

This is a historic old flag and could be restored with some time and talent.

US Navy Battleship USS KANSAS Mexico War Banner
 

It has a silk-sceen  painted cream colored silk, Vera Cruz skyline and the name of the battleship in gilded letters and sent from Vera Cruz. There is an embroidery trim applied to all three edges of the banner and two metal suspension tabs.  The reverse side shows the construction made for wall display.  It measures 15 by 36 inches.

The banner is in near very good condition, with some slight separations in the silk that can be disguised with appropriate mounting and framing and be virtually invisible.

This is a very rare banner, most notably because it was made in Very Cruz just after the war and sent home before the war was over (the USS KANSAS departed Veracruz for the last time on 29 October, 1914).

US Army Escadrille Lafayette 1914-1918 Squadron Reunion Flag
 

It has heavy bullion gold letters and dates with heavy embroidered squadron insignia and stars on ONE side of very heavy deep blue watered silk.  The reverse side is completely blank (it was apparently made for wall display).  It measures 32 by 34 inches, with a 2 inch wide gold bullion fringe on all four sides. It is also bordered with separately applied 1-1/2 inches red, white and blue border ribbon. There is a gusset for a pole mount on the left side.

The flag is in near mint condition, including the hand-numbered leather tabs in the interior of the gusset.

US Army Air Corps Wheeler Field 19th Aero Squadron Banner
 

It has hand painted leather 19th Pursuit Squadron unit identification and name "Homer M. Reiser" and 1928-1931 date with heavy wool felt letters squadron insignia and stars on ONE side of very heavy purple felt with applied leather patch and wool felt plumeria flower blossom, with a leather strip woven along the fringe border.  The reverse side shows the construction made for wall display and the black wool felt backing.  It measures 22 by 22 inches, with a 1-3/4 inch wide fringe on all four sides.

The banner is in near excellent condition.

US Army Air Corps Kelly Field 20th Aero Squadron Banner
 

It has a hand painted cream colored wing prop, Kelly Field and 1921 date with heavy pale green wool felt letters and ARMY in black felt letters applied to a dark green strip woven into the banner.  The reverse side shows the construction made for wall display.  It measures 14 by 32 inches.

The banner is in near excellent condition.

US Army Air Corps 20th Aero Squadron Banner
 

This unit's wartime service in France included: Delouze, France, 26 Aug 1918; Amanty, France, 7 Sep 1918; Maulan, France, 23 Sep 1918.

It has heavy red wool felt letters and US Air Service wing in white felt with unit number in white felt letters applied to a red, white, and blue banner.  A silk flag is separately applied on a yellow felt staff.  The reverse side shows the construction made for wall display.  It measures 15 by 45 inches.

The banner is in near excellent condition.

US Department of the Treasury Flag
 

It has a first generation Annin Bembers Rayon Federal Artglo maker mark tag printed on the gusset. The front side has the emblem in the opposite orientation as the reverse side (shown at the left).  It measures 52 by 66 inches, with a 2-1/2 inch wide gusset for a staff present. There is heavy multi-piece appliqué on both sides and the eagle's head faces the staff on both sides, as can be seen in the images of the emblem front and rear.

This flag and design was established in 1963 and used in 1963. The history and heraldry description of the flag is available at the US Treasury website. This particular flag was presented to a former Secret Service administrator on the occasion of his retirement, prior to its separation from the Department of the Treasury in 2003. This is a very difficult official issue flag to find in a private collection.

The flag is in near excellent condition showing minor signs of routine use.

US Navy Plank Owner Captain Pennant Flag From USS CHAMPLIN
 

He served as captain of the destroyer from September 12, 1942 to February 10, 1944. While in command of the ship, she sank a German U-Boat, participated in the invasion of North Africa, Sicily, Anzio, and South France, including bombardment of a town in Sicily that resulted in the town's surrender to the ship.  She earned 6 Battle Stars for action in WWII and survived the war, decommissioned in 1947 and sold to the breakers in 1972.

After serving in the Dickerson, Northampton, and Pennsylvania, Admiral Melson was CO of the USS CHAMPLIN, deployed in the Mediterranean and Atlantic war areas in 1942-1943. Subsequent duties included: Chief of Staff to Commander Battleship Division Five; Operations and Plans Officer to Sixteenth Fleet; Staff Officer at the Naval War College; Commander Destroyer Squadron Twenty; and Administrative Aide to the Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. In 1952-1953 he served as CO of the USS NEW JERSEY during the Korean War. He then commanded Cruiser Division Four; became the Superintendent of the Naval Academy; Commander of First Fleet, after which he commanded the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command. In 1964 he reported as President of the Naval War College and remained there until his retirement in 1966. He passed away in 1981.

We also have a personally signed and presented photograph from President Lyndon B. Johnson to VADM Melson while he was Commander of the Naval War College (July 1964-January 1966).  It is available separately here.

The frame measures 19 by 9 inches. The pennant measures 50 inches long.

The flag is in near very good condition showing minor signs of shipyard use.

US Navy Asst SecNav Aero Flag
 

It has an Assistant Secretary of the Navy of Aeronautics New York Naval Shipyard identification printed on the gusset. The reverse side has the emblem in the opposite orientation as the front.  It measures 55 by 80 inches, with a 1-1/4 inch wide gusset with captive halyard present.  The halyard loops have been cut top and bottom when it was taken out of active service.

This office was established in 1926. Aeronautics was eventually moved to BuAer under CNO control.  This flag is very well-made and was used by David Sinton Ingalls, the US Navy's only WWI ace, appointed to the office by President Calvin Coolidge.

The flag is in near very good condition showing minor signs of shipyard use.

Chiang Kai-Shek Nationalist China Headquarters Flag
 

It has separately applied medium woven white sun on both sides of dense woven blue cotton.  The reverse side is complete and separately finished.  It measures 28 by 36 inches.

The flag is in near mint condition, including the oversized 1-1/2 inch diameter gusset.

US Army 728th Military Police Battalion Unit Banner Flag
 

It has separately applied medium woven off-white canvas identification of a Military Police (later 5th Special Forces) Sergeant First Class with old Regular Army serial number and rank indicated.  This soldier served 30 years from post WWII through Korea though Vietnam (1948-1978). There is a painted US flag, UN flag, and Korea flag.  The unit insignia of the 728th MP Bn is below.  The reverse side is completely blank (it was apparently made for wall display).  It measures 12-1/2 by 11-1/2 inches.

This is a photo of SFC Musto (center) next to actor Cary Grant, another soldier, and his wife Betsy Drake, taken in Korea at the 8167th Field General Hospital in 1951.  The photo is NOT a part of this offering, it is shown for context only.  We have other pieces from this soldier, including his Korean War ASCOM Provost Marshal armband and Special Forces brass calling card case.  Click the link to see them.

The banner is in near excellent condition.  This piece dates to the Korean War.

Governor of Pennsylvania Office Flag
 

It has separate state seals on each side of dense woven silk finish rayon.  The reverse side is shown here. This is a view of the fringe and leather tabs for attachment to a staff.  It measures 36 by 56 inches.

This is a very fancy heavy embroidered flag of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania once belonging to Edward Martin (1879-1967) and his son, Captain Edward S. Martin.

Edward Martin ran for office fifteen times and never lost an election. In addition to being governor of Pennsylvania (1943-1947) and U. S. Senator (1947-1953), Martin, six-foot four inches tall, had a distinguished military career through four wars: Spanish-American War, Philippine Insurrection, WWI and WWII.  He was the Commanding General of the 28th Division in WWII until he was retired by age regulations after serving more than 40 years in the Army. During WWI, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross twice, and the Purple Heart twice. During WWI, he served with the 109th and 110th Infantry Regiments in five major campaigns in France from July 15, 1917, to April 25, 1919, leaving the war as a lieutenant colonel. A far more complete biographical history is available online from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

This lot a number of items from his son, including his military wartime ID card, dogtags, 111th Infantry Regiment flag, and some patches are offered in a separate listing.

The flag is in near excellent condition.  Spots on the images are reflections on the camera lens and not on the flag itself.

USAFE Ambassadors Band Flag
 

The reverse side is plain blue.  It measures 15 by 23 inches.

This unit is still active, known simply as the USAFE Band, and headquartered in Sembach AFB, Germany.  It is the only USAF band in Europe.

The flag is in near mint condition.

US Army Signal Corps Guidon Flag
 

It has separately applied dense woven linen signal flags and numbers on each side of medium woven orange wool.  The reverse side is shown here.  It measures 20 by 28 inches.

This unit is still active, assigned to the 7th Signal Brigade, and headquartered in Sacramento, California.

The flag has some stains, some holes, and moderate wear from years of use and storage.

This is a historic old flag and could be restored with little effort, if desired.

US Liberty Loan V For Victory 5th War Loan
 

It has red, white and blue deep color with separately applied letters and symbols. The hoist has two grommets for and a National (Awning Company) 22 South Main St Providence R.I. (the city name is stitched through, that's what it appears to be from what can be seen) maker tag.  A close-up of the reverse side is shown here. The fly side has reinforcements sewn on for wall display on the factory production floor.  The hoist side has reinforcement panels at the grommets.

It measures 58 by 106 inches.

The flag has is in generally good condition, with some fading from sunlight exposure and some moderate tears from being flown for several years during the war.

US Military In Service Star Pennant Window Banner
 

It has red, white and blue silk screen colors with a separately applied yellow silk fringe on three sides. The top has a suspension staff and tasseled hanging cord.  The reverse side is shown here.  It measures 11 by 8-1/2 inches.

Note the Artillery Branch insignia.  This unit was deployed out of Camp Meade, Maryland and assigned to the 79th Division during WWI.

WWI IDed Ammo Train items are VERY hard to find.

The flag has is in generally good condition, with some fading from sunlight exposure.

US Military In Service Multistar City Banner
 

It has red and white satin finish silk and 47 applied blue silk floss stars. The top has a wide gusset for a pole for vertical suspension in the form of a cross as shown.  The reverse side is dense linen.  The banner measures 34 by 48 inches.

City and township homefront banners are VERY hard to find.

The flag has is in generally good condition, with some fading from sunlight exposure.

US Army Air Service Embroidered Silk Remembrance Banner
 

It has red, white and blue silk floss eagle and standards on medium blue silk. This is a close-up of the photo. The wing prop collar disk is visible on the original photo. The embroidery detail has a wide gusset for a pole for vertical suspension in the form of a cross as shown.  The reverse side is dense linen.  The banner measures 16 by 20 inches folded to fit the 19 by 23 inch period wooden frame.

Note the ports of call listed, including the Philippines, China, Japan, Siberia, and Hawaii (spelled as "Hawai")

WWI and Siberia service banners are VERY hard to find.

The flag has is in generally near excellent condition, having been protected under glass for many years.

US 48 Star Home Front Flag Pin
 

It has two sides, with the flag visible on each side with the star field as shown.  The reverse side is shown here.  It measures 2 inches across.

The flag has is in near mint condition.

Viet Cong Ap Bac Battle Banner
 

It is fringed on all four sides as shown.  The reverse side is shown here.  It measures 35 inches high and 56 inches across.

The flag has is in near very good used condition, with some stains apparent from when it was captured.

Viet Cong National Liberation Front Battle Banner
 

It is fringed on all four sides as shown.  The reverse side is shown here.  It measures 40 inches high and 62 inches across.

The flag is in near very good used condition, with some stains apparent from when it was captured.

North Vietnam Army Headquarters Flag
 

It finished on all four sides, with a gusset for slipping over a staff, as shown.  The reverse side is shown here.  It measures 21 inches high and 32 inches across.

The flag is in near very good used condition, with some stains apparent from when it was captured.

US Navy SecNav Spread Eagle Flag Finial
 

This eagle came from the same estate as the SecNav Aero flag above. The reverse side has the shows the threaded single screw mounting hole.  It measures 4-1/4 by 3-1/2 inches by 3 inches deep.

This eagle was in service following WWI. The eagle is in very good to near excellent condition showing minor signs of routine use from display.