[mattsaccount]

OK, here's one to work out.

Information on the Conch Republic:
Conch Republic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Their flag is shown on their "official" web page:
http://www.conchrepublic.com/secgen.htm

However, when I search on "conch republic flag" using Google, seemingly everyone is selling one of a slightly different design, e.g:
Buy Conch Republic Flag. Key West Flag : Ultimate Flags.com, Flag Sale: All 3 X 5 ft flags are buy 2 get 1 free! State Flags, National Flags, Earth Flags and more!

So, my questions are:
- Why are there two designs? What's the difference?
- Which one would it make more sense to display?
- Is there any place that sells the "official" design listed on their official web page? The first 10 google links didn't turn up any--they all sell the alternative design.

Thanks

[Robin Hickman]

HiYa, MattsAccount !

The MAJOR difference between the two designs MIGHT be that one is the "Conch Republic" FLAG, and the other is the "Conch Republic" SEAL, which you can find on the obverse of the "Conch Republic" DOLLAR. Unfortunately the "Conch Republic" Dollar won't really "buy" anything, BUT... Not to worry! The U.S. Dollar seems to be WIDELY accepted as Legal Tender ALL over Key West !!!

Google "Conch Republic Flag", then click on the "Images" tab. LOTS of entries from Flag retailers !

Most of the "Conch Republic Flags" are pretty EXPENSIVE. Not surprising, since they are, after all, "P-A-R-T-Y" flags!

http://www.crwflags.com/page0860fl-conchrepublic.html


http://www.flagandbanner.com/fab/productpage.asp?id=FCONC35


http://ultimateflags.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12&products _id=15


http://www.usflags.com/productDetail.asp?ItemID=4377


There are many other Flag retailers out there selling these flags. Of these four, CRW Flags might be your best bet.

You're Welcome !!!

Robin "Wasted Away Again In Margaritaville" Hickman

PS. I wonder HOW MANY of the "Conch Republic" flag manufacturers and retailers are paying the royalty fees for the "Trademarked" designs ???

[mattsaccount]

Thanks for your reply. Some more Google use reveals the following page:

Conch Republic (U.S.)

Apparently, they are both flags, but one is the flag of Key West with "Conch Republic" added and without the motto at the bottom, whereas the other is the official flag for the "whole" Conch Republic, which lacks the words "Key West" but does include the motto.

The links you provided are all for the Key West flag--are you aware of any place that sells the "official" variant? (Whatever "official" means in this context )

[mattsaccount]

Just another note in case anyone is ever interested in buying one of these After extensive searching, I've found one vendor that sells the version with the motto, here:

Conch Republic Flag 3' x5 ' : Largo Cargo

Unfortunately, it appears to be available only in polyester, which is not a material I'm particularly fond of, but at least the price is low.

[mattsaccount]

OK, I contacted the vendor I linked to above, but indeed, they sell the same version of the flag as everyone else. I guess I'll just buy the one that's actually available

[Peter Ansoff]

When I visited the Keys last year, I ended up buying three Conch Republic flags. All of them were different, and none of them matched the "official" design on the web site. I guess they just do things differently down there!

The visitor's center gift shop in Key West had a display of the original Conch Republic flag that was created when they declared independence in 1982:

Original CR Flag sm.jpg

As you can see, it's somewhat different from the ones that are sold by most flag vendors. The sun is much larger, and the interior coloring of the rays is black on one side and red on the other. (The words at the top and the legend on the right were on the plexiglass cover, not on the flag itself.)

Peter Ansoff

[mattsaccount]

Thanks for the picture, that version is indeed different. While searching the Internet on this issue, I've also seen several minor variations in the posted images. I imagine it's just not a well-specified design.

Just for grins, I sent a note to the "Secretary General" of the Conch Republic, Sir Peter Anderson to see if he can add anything. Hopefully he'll reply. I sent a good old fashioned letter rather than an email.

For some background, I didn't know anything about the Conch Republic until I had already departed the Keys. I saw it referenced all over the place while I was there, but had other things to do and so didn't pursue it at the time. After I found out more about it, I knew I had to buy a flag

[Robin Hickman]

.
Hey, Peter !

Thanks for posting the photo !


Hey, MattsAccount !

I actually went back out in "Google-Land" to see if I could find someone that had a "Conch Republic" flag for sale, but "No Dice" !!!


Robin "I Blew Out My Flip-Flop; Stepped On A Pop-Top..." Hickman
.