Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  WWII SON-IN-SERVICE BANNER FOR A UNITED STATES MARINE, IN A LARGE SCALE AMONG ITS COUNTERPARTS, GRAPHIC, AND EXTREMELY SCARCE

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 27.5" x 23.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 18" (22" string) x 12"
Description....:
The practice of displaying a son-in-service banner became popular during WWI (U.S. involvement 1917-1918) and was continued or even increased during WWII (U.S. involvement 1941-45). Families would display them in their front windows to signify the numbers of sons they had serving in the military during the war. There was one star for each child. The flags were traditionally composed of a rectangular white field with a blue star or stars, framed by a rectangular red border. Typically, if a soldier was killed, a gold star was applied over the blue. If other circumstances occurred, such as the soldier became a prisoner of war or missing in action, another color was used, such as purple or white. There was a whole list of colors to signify different statuses.

This one dates to the WWII period and varies from the norm. The ground is white, but instead of having a rectangular red border, there is a narrow band of red to the left and right. Instead of a solid blue star, the star on this banner is pie cut and faceted in blue and white. In the lower center is a pair of crossed American flags, above and in the crux of which is the seal of the United States Marine Corps, printed in blue with yellow highlights. Below are the words “Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.”

Son-In-Service banners that include the branch of the military in which the soldier served are scarce. Those made for the Marines are the rarest among the major branches of the military.

Also desirable is the scale of the banner, which is significantly larger than most of this nature. When combined with a strong design and Marine Corps relationship, these traits result in a very fine example.

Construction: The banner is printed on heavy weight rayon with a rolled-over sleeve at the top that is bound with machine stitching, through which a wooden staff was inserted with gold painted finials. There is a gold cord for hanging, tied at either end of the staff, which is knotted and frayed to create tassels. A braided gold fringe was applied by machine to decorate the lower edge.

Mounting: The banner was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by masters degree trained staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples.

The modern molding has a traditional American profile. The finish is near-to-black with slight reddish-brown overtones and a gold inner lip. The glazing is U.V. protective glass.

Condition: There is extremely minor staining to the lower left of the star and above and to the right of the verbiage, but there are no significant condition issues.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type:
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 1941
Latest Date of Origin: 1945
State/Affiliation:
War Association: WW 2
Price: SOLD
 

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