| POWER SQUADRONS ENSIGN, MADE BY ANNIN IN NEW YORK CITY or NEW JERSEY, circa 1914-WWII ERA |
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| Web ID: | 13j-1703 |
| Available: | In Stock |
| Frame Size (H x L): | 25.25" x 33.5" |
| Flag Size (H x L): | 16" x 24" |
| Description: | |
| The Power Squadron of the Boston Yacht Club was formed in 1914. It was the first organization in the new sport of power boating and was dedicated to educating and training power boat pilots. In its early days, the Power Squadrons were instrumental in training boaters in maneuvering and other tactics necessary for military action. They trained many men who would become WWI naval officers. Post-WWI they branched out to all boaters and were less focused on military issues. The organization still exists today and has chapters across the U.S.. The Power Squadrons flag is a bold and colorful variation on the Stars and Stripes. It is specifically a variant of the 13 star flags, with canted anchors, that were designed for pleasure yachts in 1848, so that they could bypass customs without the inspection necessary for a trading vessel. The canton and stripes are made of wool bunting and pieced with machine stitching. The stars are made of cotton and are double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) with a zigzag machine stitch. There is a heavy canvas binding with 2 brass grommets for hoisting. A maker’s tag, near the top of the binding, on the obverse (front) reads: “The Best Since 1847; High Grade; Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.; All Wool Bunting," accompanied by a logo that reads "The Name Annin Guarantees Quality." Annin is our nation's eldest flag-maker that is still in business today. The company was founded in the 1820's on the New York waterfront, incorporated in 1847, and though it opened a large manufacturing operation in Verona, New Jersey in 1916, maintained its head office and some production in Manhattan until 1960. High Grade was a trademark for Annin’s highest grade of wool bunting. The flag is of exceptional quality, very heavy, and this may have been the best available grade at the time. Other brand names used included "Sterling", "Defiance", "Republic", etc.. Production of wool bunting flags fell drastically after the Second World War (U.S. involvement 1941-1945), in favor of cotton and cotton/synthetic blends that had been developed. The latter resisted moths and, at the same time, shed water like their wool counterparts. The flag was made sometime between the founding of the Power Squadrons in 1914 and WWII, likely in the earlier portion of that date window. 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 or a hemp and cotton blend, ivory in color. The mount was placed in a modern molding with a scooped, convex profile and finish that is very dark brown—nearly black—with reddish highlights and undertones. To this a black-painted, hand-gilded, and distressed Italian molding was added as a cap. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Condition: Excellent, with minor soiling at the top and bottom of the binding. |
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| Video: | |
| Collector Level: | Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving |
| Flag Type: | Sewn flag |
| Star Count: | 13 |
| Earliest Date of Origin: | 1914 |
| Latest Date of Origin: | 1945 |
| State/Affiliation: | New York |
| War Association: | |
| Price: | Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281 |
| E-mail: | info@jeffbridgman.com |
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