48 Star Flag with star patch

[dfuse180]

Hi and thanks for your site. I found a flag while cleaning out my uncles basement. 48 stars and 5 x9 according to its markings so probably a funeral flag.
It has one unique element, at least to me. The 1st star on the left of the top row is a patch sewn into the flag. Why would this have been?
I'm hoping the pictures will link from your picture site as I hope someone can make a guess on the faded manufactures name.
Thanks,
Frank
Pictures by dfuse180 - Photobucket

[NAVA1974]

The 1st star on the left of the top row is a patch sewn into the flag. Why would this have been?

Frank,
Welcome to the USA Flag Forum! The first answer is easy. That "patch" was a reinforcement of the upper hoist corner of the flag - the area that suffers the most stress when flying. It was part of the original flag and was not added later. There should be a similar reinforcement on the bottom red stripe.

Unfortunately I cannot answer the second question as the name is too indistinct and I don't recognize the pattern of the label.

Here's the answer to a question you did not ask. The flag is an internment, or "casket" flag used in military funerals. Now you need to ask family members which one of your relatives earned that honor.

Regards,
Nick A
Columbia Maryland

[csaanv]

Hi Frank,
Another term for the patch is gusset. They are still required on some government contract made flags, although today's cotton interment flags no longer have them. Unlike your flag the newer GI nylon flags have embroidered stars so they have reduced the size of the top gusset as not to touch the top star. This is no doubt a cost factor to avoid inserting extra material and then embroider a single star on top of it. Today star fields are mass produced and all done by an automated machine. While the stars on your flag were machine sewn at least they were placed there by human hands.
Cheers,
Mike

[csaanv]

Could the company be Collegeville Flag of Collegeville, PA?