American Parade Flags with Overprinted Advertising
by Jeff Bridgman
Page 5

Still another variety of advertising involves theatrical events, businesses, and political candidates (fig.5, anti-Teddy Roosevelt parade flag). Generally speaking, more valuable flags have more elaborate sayings, more interesting physical designs, and more quirky text. Anything that increases

Writing or printing on the Stars and Stripes for the purpose of advertising is no longer considered to be proper flag etiquette. The practice began with the earliest parade flags in the 1830’s and 40’s, peaked in the 1880-1913 period, and basically disappeared during the 1920’s. It is not unheard of afterward (see fig. 7), and it’s not illegal as some people might think, but today it is considered to be in poor taste, having fallen under much criticism during WWII. It’s interesting to note, however, that this very fact is what makes early examples seem more unusual to the eye, which increases desirability and, hence, value.

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