eBay FLAG : Dettra "Burial Flag"

[NAVA1974]

Can anyone explain the significance of the Vet. Admin. stamp?

The Veterans Administration, predecessor of today's Department of Veteran's Affairs, is the agency that provides burial flags for military funerals. The VA would have had a contract with Dettra Flags to provide internment flags, and Dettra would have marked the flags with the VA name along with their own label.

Nick

[jstep19]

Thank you very much for the quick response. It was very helpful

[csaanv]

The VA is the government agency that takes care of military veteran's benefits. One of those benefits is to provide a flag to the family of the former service member. But those flags are 5' x9'.5" and not 3.6" x 6.8" so this flag is not a burial flag but maybe just the agency flag with their stamp on it? I have a 50 star 3.6" x 6.8" stamped with "Property of NPS" (National Park Service). I seen more than a few of these 48 star VA flags on ebay but never seen a 50 star VA flag stamped. How about anyone out there?

[NAVA1974]

But those flags are 5' x9'.5" and not 3.6" x 6.8" so this flag is not a burial flag but maybe just the agency flag with their stamp on it? I have a 50 star 3.6" x 6.8" stamped with "Property of NPS" (National Park Service).

Agency stamps/stencils were apparently fairly common during the 48-star era. I have a little 48-star sewn cotton flag marked:

"ANNIN & CO."
"U.S.FLAG"
"GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION"
"2.37 X 4.50 FT."

It is about the smallest sewn flag in official 1x1.9 proportions I have ever seen.

And I agree that just because a flag is marked VA it is not necessarily a burial flag, nor is every 5ft x 9.5ft a burial flag, but the chances are if it is marked VA and measures 5x9.5 ft., is cotton in "mint condition" it is probably a burial flag.

Nick

[csaanv]

Hey Nick, could you post a photo of that flag. I would love to see it.
Thanks!
Mike

[NAVA1974]

Hey Nick, could you post a photo of that flag. I would love to see it. Thanks! Mike

Mike,
The photos I took are too large for the forum and frankly I'm just too lazy to downsize them. I did post them to my Flickr photostream, however. I shot an overall view of the flag, plus a close up of the heading:

Flickr: nicka21045's Photostream

Just doubleclik on any photo to see it enlarged.

You are welcome to look at my other flag photos as well. The most recent lot includes some Japanese and Chinese silk embroideries made for visiting sailors in the early part of the last century.

Nick

[csaanv]

Great collection Nick! My favorites are the 13 star boat flags the wool FOTW. I bet you have a story for each one.

[Robin Hickman]

[NAVA1974]

Thanks for posting my pictures, Robin!
Nick