| UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS PENNANT OF NOTABLE WEIGHT, QUALITY, & SCALE, circa 1914-1920’s |
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| Web ID: | pat-786 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 26" x 53.5" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 15.5" x 39.5" |
| Description: | |
| Large, felt, Marine Corps pennant with appliquéd felt letters and the central device of its official seal, the latter adorned with chain-stitched detailing. The colors used to represent the Marine Corps changed over time. The present combination of scarlet red and gold, predominant here, were formally adopted in 1925, but American military traditions tend to be as hard to extinguish as the men and women of their ranks, and the Corps was certainly no exception. 14 years would pass before the official change caught up with the Marine Corps’ flag. Between 1914 (the opening year of WWI in Europe) and 1939, this retained a deep blue ground with scarlet red streamers containing golden yellow text. This particular pennant incorporates all three colors. The device is set upon a tapered blue register with a shallow, forked wedge toward the fly, like the profile of a ship’s burgee. Strips of the same blue felt the run the edge of the perimeter to the tip, which creates an arrowhead-shaped recess, in scarlet red, upon which the “USMC” letters appear in a block-style, Roman font. There is a golden yellow, felt binding along the hoist with pairs of ties in the same color. Though there is traditionally white in the device, none is present in its representation on the pennant, but the color scheme is otherwise reflective of pre-1940 flags. The coat of arms is entirely golden yellow in this instance. The weight of the fabrics and the quality of application are what I would expect and have witnessed in other known pennants of the 19-teens and ‘20’s. It was probably not made in the 1930’s, for the simple fact that Great Depression made both the production of objects of this quality, as well as the frivolity of electing to buy them, far less likely. The above facts, in conjunction with the color schematics, are suggestive of a 1914 – 1920’s date. Mounting: For 25 years we have maintained our own textile conservation department, led by a master’s degree level graduate from one of the nation’s top programs. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and related textiles and have preserved thousands of examples. The background is 100% hemp fabric, ivory in color. The mount was placed in a dark brown, cove-shaped molding with a wood grain surface and reddish highlights, to which a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding was added as a liner. A shadowbox was created to accommodate the ties, which have a three-dimensional fold. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Feel free to contact us for more details. Condition: There is very minor mothing, but the overall condition is excellent for the period. The colors are exceptional. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts |
| Flag Type: | |
| Star Count: | |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1914 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1920's |
| State/Affiliation: | |
| War Association: | WW 1 |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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