48-star flag-----how to locate manufacturer & flag age

[nursewade]

Good everning. Very new & looking for information. Today I acquired a 48-star flag at an antique store for $40. The store owner stated that this particular booth renter brought in quality & authentic merchandise.

Question(s):
1. The flag is a valley forge flag, but it want to know how to inspect for history purposes.
2. The flag is 5x9.5. Is this the only size flag for fallen soldiers?
3. Is there a way I might be able to identify WHEN the flag was given, if for that purpose?

Thanks for any input you may be able to contribute. I'm working on a project and wish to display this flag along with awards my deceased father of WWII era received, which I also have.

[NAVA1974]

Hello and Welcome, nursewade.
Interment flags have been 5 x 9.5 feet at least since the WW II era. The only real discriminator between older flags and newer flags is whether they were made of wool bunting or cotton. Wool flags were most common during the 19th century, but cotton started making inroads before WWI. Wool and cotton probably split 50-50 up to WWII with cotton pretty much taking over. In the 1950's nylon and other synthetics got in the act and about the only place you can get cotton bunting flags is through government contracts (like internment flags from the Dept of Veterans Affairs, or thru your congressman.) If the flag is cotton, you really can't tell much more about the age (other than 1912-1959) except by having an expert look at it.

[nursewade]

Thank you for your response to my questions. Now just 1 or 2 more.

Where can I go to have the flag looked at to determine the material? and ----

Can you recommend ANY experts in the field of flag authentication/appraisal? and ----

Do you know of a way I can trace who received this flag? I believe it truly is an interment flag. Just want to express my condolances, if that's the case, and thank them for helping me with my project.

Thanks again for your information.

[NAVA1974]

nursewade:
Where do you live? I ask that because if you are close to a member of the North American Vexillological Association who is a flag collector we may be able to help. Otherwise a professional textile analysis will cost way more than the flag is worth. A typical antique dealer will have no clue as to the age of flag fabrics. Even militaria dealers often get it wrong.

Since hundreds of thousands of identical 48 star flags were used at funerals of Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, and Korean War veterans (many of the flags being made by the Valley Forge Flag Co.) there is no way to determine who the flag honored, unless you get the antique mall owner to put you in touch with the dealer who sold the flag, and he happened to remember where he got the flag, and the person he got it from knows whose funeral the flag was used in. Or, if there is a name written on the flag, that could help.

[nursewade]

Thank you so much for this valuable information. I live in NW Arkansas and have never heard of the Vexillological Association you mentioned.

I will get in touch with the antique shop owner to try to gather more information. Thanks again for your help.

Jo Ellen

[NAVA1974]

You might check with Arkansas Flag and Banner in Little Rock at Toll Free: 1.800.445.0653. They are members of NAVA. (NAVA - Home) Regards, Nick

[frugalelf]

I have found a 48 star American Flag in an 1850 farmhouse my husband and I purchased. It was stored in an old army trunk and since most of the records were also stored here I have a good idea which family member it may have belonged to. The flag has two very heavy grommets for a flag pole so I am sure it was not covering a casket. It is beautiful and in great shape. I am curious as to it's value. I can not, unfortunately read the stamp on it for the manufacturer, and only part of the date. Any idea as to it's value?

[NAVA1974]

Official casket flags measured 4 1/2 by 9 feet. If the flag is not close to that size it is not likely to have been a casket flag. Of course, if it IS that size, still no guarantees, as that was a common size for flying on small poles (when I say "small" I am talking about the military's "small." A homeowner might consider a 3x5 foot flag "big" if putting it on a pole in his/her yard, but the military does things on a grander scale.) If you could take a picture of the info on the heading we might be able to help ID the flagmaker, but in any event a 48 star flag in the size ranges mentioned in this email is worth on the order of $25 to $60 depending upon condition. If there are military markings on the heading (ie QMD for Quartermaster Depot, for example) it may have more value to WWII collectors.)
Nick

[mcgeedo]

I have a WWII era flag that I'd like to find more information on. The value is interesting but not important as I don't intend to sell it. I am more interested on learning when and where it may have been used. It appears to be cotton and is a 48-star US flag. The construction is solid as for flying including large brass grommets and corner reinforcements. The condition looks slightly yellowed from age but it looks like it has never been flown. The fabric shows no stretch and the grommets have no wear marks. Stamped on the border in black ink is the following text. The name of the company is indistinct.

"GOYERSFORD FLAG CO. 5 X 9 1/2 FT."

In the company name, the initial "G" may be something else. The "Y" may also be a "V." The initial "O" may be a "D." A GOOGLE search for variations on the company name yielded nothing useful.

I can post or email a picture of the stamping if that would be helpful.

[csaanv]

Hi Mcgeedo and welcome to the American Flags Forum! From the size you gave it could be a contract government issue flag. See chart below for official government sizes of flags. I am not familiar with that particular flag company but the government contracted work especially during the War to a lot of different companies. Also that size was used for internment flags. Like Nick posted above these flags are pretty common and are easily picked off Ebay for $25-$80 depending on condition. Please post a picture if you can or send it to me and I can prep it and post for you.
Warmest regards, Mike
emmalpass(at)yahoo.com


Executive Order 10834
Part II — Regulations Governing Executive Agencies
Sec. 21. The following sizes of flags are authorized for executive agencies:

Size Dimensions of flag
Hoist (width) Feet Fly (length) Feet
(1) 20.00 38.00
(2) 10.00 19.00
(3) 8.95 17.00
(4) 7.00 11.00
(5) 5.00 9.50
(6) 4.33 5.50
(7) 3.50 6.65
(8) 3.00 4.00
(9) 3.00 5.70
(10) 2.37 4.50
(11) 1.32 2.50