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  HIGHLY UNUSUAL ALLIED FORCES FLAG FROM THE LATTER HALF OF WWI (1914-1918), COMPRISED OF SIX INDIVIDUALLY PIECED-AND-SEWN FLAGS OF THE MAJOR ALLIED NATIONS: AMERICA, ITALY, BELGIUM, FRANCE, BRITAIN, AND JAPAN

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L):
Flag Size (H x L): 32" x 58"
Description....:
Made during the latter half of WWI (1914-1918), this WWI Allied Forces flag features six pieced-and-sewn flags, joined together, that represent the major allied powers. Starting in the upper left hand corner and moving clockwise, the countries represented are: The United States, Italy, Belgium, France, Great Britain, and Japan. All of the elements of each color are individually sewn, including the 48 stars on the American national flag, which measures just 16.5 x 19 inches. This is extraordinarily small for a commercially made flag of any kind with pieced-and-sewn construction.

All of the flags present are still in use today, save for the national flag of Italy. Present here is the traditional Italian tri-color, with the shield of the former Royal House of Savoy, of the Kingdom of Sardinia, present in the center pale (vertical white bar). The resulting design was one of several versions of the flag of Sardinia, adopted by the Italian Republic upon its birth in 1861. This flag and close variations thereof remained in use for 85 years, when the device was then removed from the basic tricolor, which is the present Italian national design.

This is the only example that I have ever seen of this particular Allied Forces flag.

There were actually 23 member nations of the Allied Forces, or what was known as the “Entente" (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.

Construction: The flag is made entirely of plain weave cotton that has been joined with machine stitching. The stars and portions of the devices have been double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) as appropriate. There is a sailcloth canvas binding along the hoist with two brass grommets.

Mounting: The flag has not yet been mounted.

Condition: Excellent, with only minor foxing and staining and moderate fading of the green fabric.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 48
Earliest Date of Origin: 1917
Latest Date of Origin: 1918
State/Affiliation: Arizona
War Association: WW 1
Price: SOLD
 

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