Latest additions to flag collection

[coasterville]

Hello group

I'm back from my trip to Europe - this time it was Germany Austria and Hungary. Recently, when I visit another country I try to find an example of its flag for sale in that country. Adds a bit more authentic allure to it.

In Germany they were selling the same flags at Oktoberfest and in the various street stalls as I already have, so I let that alone.

In Austria I found an approx 2'x3' Austrian flag with grommets (looks like it may have been made in Asia if you know what I mean) at a street stall by the cathedral in Salzburg. The design is that of the "state flag"

In Hungary I couldn't find one in a street market, but in walking through Budapest came upon a flag store. I probably spent way more than I should have, but I now have a very nice Hungarian flag, its at least 3x5, the thee colors are sewn together, has a pole hem instead of grommets. It too has the coat of arms in the middle of the flag its printed but its a much nicer printing process than say the economy flags you see on eBay. Lucky for me the clerk in the flag store spoke English, and so I explained I collect flags as a way to break the ice, I mean imagine if you ran a flag store here and a Hungarian walked in wanting to buy one.

[NAVA1974]

David,
Thanks for your stories about flag hunting. I, too, collect flags made "in country" but I have only done so in Israel and Ireland. I do, however, have a couple of stories brough back by friends who "volulnteered" to get me a flag. The first is when my high school Russian teacher visited the Soviet Union in 1970. While in the USSR he asked numerous times where he could buy a flag. The common response was "Why would you want one?" He got me sets of 50-th anniversary coins from 1967 instead.

The second story comes from a co-worker who went home to visit familiy in India. He had to look in a number of places before he could find a national flag. He said that his adventures were so interesting he refused to take payment for the flag.

In contrast, my brother-in-law had no problem getting me a national flag of Japan when he visited in the 1980's. During a subsequent visit he and my sister found a book on Flags of the World in Japanese for me!

Nick

[csaanv]

I have been blessed to have a job that allows me to travel to many places in the world. For every place I go I try to secure a high quality "in country" flag. Unfortunately, this can prove to be a challenge as some countries just don't make their own flags or. Of the 50 or so flags I have from other countries most are made of silk type material or the cheap polyester. On the other hand I have been able to buy some marvelous well made flags. In India they have only a few appointed companies that can make their "official" flag. It is all sewn except the neatly dyed blue device in the middle bar and it has a heavy canvas roped header. The flag is made of a heavy cotton and all four corners are re-enforced with extra material. I must admit it is a better made flag than most U.S. flags. Of course they don't have to make a profit. It is interesting that in China all their flags are made of the same cheap polyester type material they export. The Cambodian flags I have are very nice too, all sewn in silk and cotton and very reasonably priced ($5-$10). The European flags are well made and sewn but can get pricey. The most outrageously price flag was in Nigeria where a shop wanted $166 for a 3'x5' (not even official size) sewn Nigerian flag. Needless to say that it stayed in Nigeria.

[coasterville]

Sounds like there are a few of us that try to collect flags while we travel. Maybe I should start doing that when I go to different states...

I'd agree that most of the flags I have gotten overseas are clearly tourist grade shall we say. Comparable to the "Any flag for $5.00" grade flags you find on the internet. No markings, which adds to the suspect part of it. But hey, I bought it in the country that's got to to count for something right.

The Hungarian flag had a web URL on the tag, and that URL does direct me to a flag maker based in Hungary, so that gives is an extra allure. I don't know how they expect you to fly it, however, as it has a pole hem (or pole pocket), open on both ends and I've felt down as far as I can reach and I don't see any tabs to attach to the pole. Other than that it's nicely made, a shimmering material, the sections are sewn togeher and all that.

That said, that's probably academic as I can't think of why I would actually fly it.

[Robin Hickman]

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QUOTE : "The Hungarian flag had a web URL on the tag, and that URL does direct me to a flag maker based in Hungary, so that gives is an extra allure.... That said, that's probably academic as I can't think of why I would actually fly it."


Maybe because you hadn't eaten all day and you were really, Really, REALLY "Hungary" ???



Sorry!



Robin Hickman
Eugene, Oregon, USA

[Robin Hickman]

.

Wishing ALL who travel to different places and collect flags "Happy Trails", "Bon Vogage", and many, many pleasant memories! And always remember to post pictures of your newly found (and imported) Flags HERE!


All of my "travels" (so far) have been in the far distant past and I never collected any Flags. Somehow, though, I've managed to "collect" a few "strays" like an Australian national flag, a State of Idaho flag (with gold fringe!), a State of Pennsylvania flag, and a 2'x3' North Carolina flag which I gave to our letter carrier because he's a native "Tarheel".

I probably have a few other "strays" that have followed me home from my cyber trips out on the internet, but right now I can't think of what any of them would be!


Robin Hickman
Eugene, Oregon, USA

[NAVA1974]

Since I haven't done much in the way of foreign travel I seek flags made in-country in order to get examples of flag making technology. Such as India's home-grown cotton flags, sewn satin flags from South America, printed wool flags from the former Soviet Union, printed silk flag from the PRC, applied cross on the flag of Switzerland, sewn flags of UK, Australia, New Zealand, etc.

Nick

[coasterville]

What a great little discussion we have started.

I bet than India flag made of cotton does look quite nice, as would be items like a sewn Union Jack or even some of the other more intricate flag designs in an all sewn style. I think I read in an Annin bulletin where they were going to start to go to the all dyed/printed model for all but the very simple and high selling world flags. Buying in-country is hard unless you really seek it out, as I notice a lot of the market stalls and gift shops in touristy areas sell the tourist grade ("Made in <insert Asian Country Name Here") poly flags.

(Or maybe I just need to broaden my cyber shopping horizons to try to find flag dealers websites in various nations)

Robin - no need to 'apologize' for the bad pun, but hey I could go for a nice lunch like I had in that sidewalk cafe in Budapest just a fortnight ago. In looking at FOTW I think I found the answer to the "How do I fly this flag" quandry as it has no tabs inside its pole hem. According to FOTW it sounds like its common practice to simply insert a wooden staff through the pole hem, then nail the flag to the staff. I suppose thats fine when it's "your flag" that you will be dispaying until it needs replaced, not so great for mere special occasion use.

[coasterville]

Forgot to mention - I will be posting pics soon.

(I just ordered the plain civil versions of Germany, Austria, and Hungary to add to my archival "nations I've been in" flag collection, and decided to toss in a European Union flag as well) When all that comes I'll make an update to my flag collection site. I think the link to which is in my sig below.

[NAVA1974]

I bet than India flag made of cotton does look quite nice. ... Buying in-country is hard unless you really seek it out, as I notice a lot of the market stalls and gift shops in touristy areas sell the tourist grade ("Made in <insert Asian Country Name Here") poly flags.

(Or maybe I just need to broaden my cyber shopping horizons to try to find flag dealers websites in various nations)

The flag of India is good quality. The stripes are sewn with a white cotton sleeve for the heading. The chakra is screened on the middle stripe. I have to agree with you that buying in-country flags is more difficult nowadays. It was often difficult, I understand, but the printed polyester flags have taken over so much of the market that it is even harder now to find a native-made flag. Except, perhaps, in India where I believe it is forbidden to sell a flag made outside of India. Most recently, a co-worker returned from a vacation in Jamaica and brought me a small printed synthetic flag (6x8") on a golden staff and base - all of which very likely originated in China.

I have also purchased flags from flagmakers in other countries by contacting them through their web sites.

Nick