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  UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD FLAG, AN EXTREMELY SCARCE AND BEAUTIFUL, NAUTICAL DESIGN, MADE SOMETIME BETWEEN WWI (U.S. INVOLVEMENT 1917-18) AND 1934

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 50" x 82.25
Flag Size (H x L): 38.25" x 70.5"
Description....:
Flag of the United States Shipping Board (USSB), an extremely scarce and beautiful design, with patriotic colors and nice nautical imagery, made between WWI and 1934. Often referred to as the “War Shipping Board”, the USSB was established as an emergency agency by the Shipping Act of September 7th, 1916, just prior to U.S. involvement in WWI. Formally organized on January 30th, 1917, its functions were to regulate commercial, maritime carriers and trade practices, marine insurance, transfers of ship registry, and the rates charged in interstate waterborne commerce. It also investigated the adequacy of port and water transportation facilities, determined the necessity for steamship lines and the characteristics of vessels within those lines, developed a naval auxiliary and merchant marine, and subsidized private ship construction. The USSB was abolished on the March 2nd, 1934.

USSB successor agencies are numerous, including the U.S. Shipping Board Bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce (1933–36); the U.S. Maritime Commission (1936–50); the U.S. Federal Maritime Board of the Department of Commerce (regulatory functions only, 1950–61); the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (regulatory functions only, 1961- present); the United States Maritime Administration of the Department of Commerce (all other functions, 1950–81); and the U.S. Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (all other functions, 1981- present).*

Construction: The flag is made of white wool bunting, with lettering and a device that are made of red and Navy blue cotton and double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) of the field. An open, sailcloth canvas sleeve binds the hoist. The triangular patches at the top and bottom corners of the hoist end are original to the flag's construction. These are called gussets and were added for support at the points where the flag received the most stress when it was flown. All of the piecework and appliqué were sewn by machine, which is typical of the period.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% silk organza for support on every seam and throughout the star field. It was then hand-sewn to a background of 100% cotton twill, black in color, that 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 glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass.

Condition: There are a few minor tears and tiny holes in the white field and there is a repaired, L-shaped tear at the bottom of the blue cotton anchor. There is extremely minor foxing along the hoist. Many of my clients prefer early flags to show their age and history of use. The flag presents beautifully.

*source: Wikipedia
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 1917
Latest Date of Origin: 1934
State/Affiliation:
War Association: WW 1
Price: SOLD
 

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