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  PATRIOTIC WINDOW BANNER WITH A PORTRAIT OF FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT SET INSIDE A "V-FOR-VICTORY", FLANKED BY GEORGE WASHINGTON AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN, MADE TO SUPPORT HIS RE-ELECTION IN 1944, A SCARCE CAMPAIGN TEXTILE FROM WWII

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 18.75" x 15.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 12" x 8.5"
Description....:
PATRIOTIC WINDOW BANNER WITH A PORTRAIT OF FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT SET INSIDE A "V-FOR-VICTORY", FLANKED BY GEORGE WASHINGTON AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN, MADE TO SUPPORT HIS RE-ELECTION IN 1944, A SCARCE CAMPAIGN TEXTILE FROM WWII:

Patriotic window banner with a large portrait image of Franklin Delano Roosevelt inside the vortex of a prominent "V-For-Victory", flanked by George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Made for his fourth successful campaign for the Presidency of the United States in 1944, the accompanying text spoke to the motivations and aspirations of America during WWII (U.S. involvement 1941-45). The word "Liberty" appears under Washington to draw a parallel between the father of our country during the Revolution and FDR in the current war. The word "Equality" appears under Lincoln, probably for two reason. One is to draw a parallel between Lincoln's success in that endeavor on behalf of slaves during the Civil War and Roosevelt's current struggle for equality in Europe. The other is a emphasize FDR's New Deal, welfare state politics during tough economic times. The word "Justice" appears under Roosevelt to emphasize the goal of America to bring the hammer down on the Nazi's.

The banner is printed on cotton or a synthetic blended fabric. A length of cotton tape was sewn to the top edge for hanging.

It is interesting to note that this style of banner is not documented in "Threads of History: Americana Recorded on Cloth, 1775 to the Present", by Herbert Ridgeway Collins (Smithsonian Press, 1979). The Collins book is the predominant text on American political textiles. With more than 1500 entries, it successfully documents most common styles of commercially produced flags and banners, as well as many rare ones, but this particular banner is not among them. In fact, while the Collins text documents at least 35 different textiles attributed to FDR's 1932, '36, and '40 campaigns, none are pictured that appear to be campaign-use pieces from 1944. This may a result of the fact that some of the generic ones attributed to 1940 are, in fact, 1944 banners, or that generic styles were simply repeated in 1944. If either of these theories is true, then perhaps Collins simply dismissed the idea that the president would have consumed scarce fabric during wartime for campaign purposes. Whatever the case may be, none of the 1940, '36, or '32 banners have imagery that is positively of wartime manufacture, like this particular one with its "V for Victory".

It is also interesting to note that Roosevelt's election to his fourth presidential term in 1944 led to the passing of the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which imposed a two-term limit.

Mounting: The convex profile frame has simple fluted decoration with a gilded surface and dates to the period between the 1920's and the 1940's. The banner 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. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is U.V. protective.

Condition: There is minor dye loss throughout accompanied by very minor foxing.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type:
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 1944
Latest Date of Origin: 1944
State/Affiliation: New York
War Association: WW 2
Price: SOLD
 

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