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  STUNNING WWI ALLIED FORCES "VICTORY" OR "PEACE" FLAG, 1918, HIGHLY UNUSUAL, FRENCH-MADE, THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE IN THIS RARE STYLE

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 41.25" x 56.25"
Flag Size (H x L): Approx. 30" x 45"
Description....:
STUNNING WWI ALLIED FORCES "VICTORY" OR "PEACE" FLAG, 1918, HIGHLY UNUSUAL, FRENCH-MADE, THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE IN THIS RARE STYLE:

WWI Allied forces peace or victory flag. This is the only example that I have ever seen of a truly striking and extraordinary design, evidently produced in France. This origin is evidenced by the center medallion that consists of a crowing rooster against the French tri-color, set within a graceful wreath of willow leaves.

Starting in the upper left hand corner and moving clockwise, the additional countries represented are: Great Britain, Belgium, the United States, Russia, Japan, Portugal, Italy, and Romania.

There were actually 23 member nations of the Allied Forces, or what was known as the "Entente" [translation: a diplomatic understanding]. These powers entered the war at various points. Seven countries declared war in 1914, following the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the presumed heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne. They included Serbia, Russia, France, Belgium, the British Empire, Montenegro, and Japan. The 16 remaining nations declared war in 1915 and afterward. These include Italy, Portugal, Romania, the United States, Cuba, Panama, Greece, Siam, Liberia, China, Brazil, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Cost Rica, Honduras, and Haiti.

The flag is printed on cotton and has beautiful colors. Multinational design Allied Forces flags like this exist from both WWI and WWII, produced in the patriotism of the war or the resulting victories, but until recently I had never encountered ones that were made outside of America. I then acquired one from Britain and this one from France. The American examples are generally unattractive, having 2 rows of either 2 or 4 flags. The British example was more attractive, utilizing a blend of three flags (France, Britain, and the US) with a triangular division. But this French example is by far-and-away the most dynamic. I'd even go so far as to say that it's one of the most beautiful and graphically well-thought-out flags that I have ever seen.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which was washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. The mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The front is U.V. protective acrylic.

Condition: There is misprinting from a fold in the fabric in the Italian flag, and there is extremely minor foxing, but the condition is otherwise excellent.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 48
Earliest Date of Origin: 1917
Latest Date of Origin: 1918
State/Affiliation: Other
War Association: WW 1
Price: SOLD
 

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