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  PRO-NIXON OR ANTI-NIXON? A RARE 50 STAR FLAG FROM THE 1960, 1968 OR 1972 ELECTION

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 8" x 10"
Flag Size (H x L): 4" x 6"
Description....:
PRO-NIXON OR ANTI-NIXON?
A RARE 50 STAR FLAG FROM THE 1960, 1968 OR 1972 ELECTION:

During the 19th century it was common for political candidates to produce American national flags for use in campaigning which had such things as their names, slogans, and even their portraits incorporated into the design. This effectively ended in 1896, however, and actually became illegal after Congress passed a bill to make it so in 1905. Political campaign flags are rarely seen after this date, but now and again one might find an example, such as this flag that certainly wasn't ordered by Richard Nixon, but rather hand-painted by someone who either supported or opposed this interesting character of our American political past.

The large "X" in Nixon could mean one of two things. It either suggested that the observer should place an "X" in the appropriate box on election day, or that the maker wished to symbolically cross Nixon off the ballot. A small group of these flags was found, about ten in total, all obviously lettered by the same hand.

The sheer rayon fabric on which the flag, itself, is printed was likely made in Japan. It is very similar to known 49 star parade flags (1959-1960), as well as to parade flags thought to have been made for the last reunion of the UCV (United Confederate Veterans) in 1951. This suggests that the "NiXon" flags could date to the future president's unsuccessful 1960 run for the Whitehouse, but I would suggest that they more likely date to his 1968 or 1972 campaigns, following Kennedy's death, during the turmoil of the Vietnam War. This "defamation of the flag" seems more likely to have occurred during the hippie culture of wartime America, and I suppose that the intent was more likely pro-Nixon, made in support of his attempts to bring the war to an end.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton rag mat and placed in a fine gilded molding that dates to the mid-late 19th century. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is u.v. protective.

Condition: There is bleeding in the red stripes, but this is a rare flag with political association at such a late date, involving such an interesting president, so the condition is acceptable.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 50
Earliest Date of Origin: 1960
Latest Date of Origin: 1972
State/Affiliation: Hawaii
War Association: Vietnam
Price: SOLD
 

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