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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): 30.25" x 41.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 18.5" x 29.5"
Description....:
Flag of the United States Shipping Board (U.S.S.B.), 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’s white field is made of wool bunting. The lettering anchor, and federal shield, with 3 stars, are made of red, white, and blue cotton. and are double-appliquéd (applied to both sides). There is a heavy, sailcloth canvas binding along the hoist, with two white metal grommets. All of the piecework and appliqué were sewn by machine, which is typical of the period. The appliqué work was accomplished with a zigzag machine stitch.

*source: Wikipedia.

Mounting: The flag has been hand-stitched to 100% silk organza for support. It was then hand-sewn to a background of 100% cotton twill, black in color, that was washed and treated for colorfastness. The mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas).

Condition: There is minor mothing, but there are no significant condition issues.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
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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