Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
Sold Flags



  48 STARS, MARKED "DEFIANCE", MADE BY THE ANNIN COMPANY IN NEW YORK CITY, circa 1944

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L):
Flag Size (H x L): 35.5" x 59"
Description....:
48 STARS, MARKED "DEFIANCE", MADE BY THE ANNIN COMPANY OF NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY, circa 1944:

48 star American national flag, made by the Annin Company in New York City. Annin is our nation's eldest flag-maker that is still in business today. The company was founded in the 1820's on the New York waterfront, incorporated in 1847, and, though it opened a large manufacturing operation in Verona, New Jersey in 1916, maintained its head office and some production in Manhattan until 1960.

The canton and stripes of the flag are machine-sewn and made of cotton. The stars are made of cotton and are double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) with a zigzag machine stitch. There is a canvas sleeve with two brass grommets, along which "3 x 5" is stenciled to indicate size to which an Annin maker's tag is sewn that reads:

Defiance
Reg, U.S. Pat. Off.
Cotton Bunting
Two Ply – Moth Proof
The Name Annin Guarantees Quality

Defiance was a name brand of the Annin Company. This style of Annin tag is known to have been in use in 1944.

The 48 star flag became official in 1912 following the addition of New Mexico and Arizona. It remained the official flag throughout WWI (U.S. involvement 1917-18), WWII (U.S. involvement 1941-45), and the Korean War (1950-53), until Alaska gained statehood in 1959 and the 49th star was added. Although cotton flags with sewn construction like this one can sometimes be seen well before WWII, wool sheds water and was by far and away the favored fabric for long term outdoor use. This particular flag was probably made in the period following the war. Production of wool bunting flags fell drastically after 1945, in favor of the use of cotton and cotton/synthetic blends that resisted moths but could at the same time shed water like their wool counterparts.

Mounting: The flag has not yet been mounted.

Condition: There are a number of very minor tiny stains, almost pinpoint sized. There is minor yellowing in two of the stripes. Overall excellent.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 48
Earliest Date of Origin: 1945
Latest Date of Origin: 1959
State/Affiliation: Arizona
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

Views: 11035