September/October1999

Vol. 32 • No. 5 September/October 1999 STUDENT RESISTANCE IN SERBIA Students of Serbian Universities have formed a political organization called “Otpor” (Resistance). They demonstrate against the actual re- gime in Serbia. Their flag is white, with black fist in black-outlined circle. Flag photos

could be seen on http://www.otpor. com . Greetings from windy Belgrade, Ivan Sarajcic, Above, the staff of Tanaka Flag in Osaka, geographer Japan with “Enjoy Flags” flag in front of Belgrade, Serbia the office where 30 people work. Annual [email protected] sales are US$12,000,000. NAVA is indebted to Mr. Taiji Tanaka for his donation that makes the color in this issue of NAVA News CHANGES IN NAVA NEWS possible. You may have noticed the last few by the masthead, publisher’s notice schedule and apologize for the late- issues of this journal have had more and addressing block since these will ness of this issue. The November- color in them, thanks to a generous appear only four times a year rather December 1999 issue should be out donation from Taiji Tanaka of the than six. As it stands now, a typical before the end of December or very Tanaka Flag Company in Osaka, NAVA News issue is 8 pages long with early in January at the latest. Our Japan. Again we express our sincere approximately 1!/3 pages being de- schedule for next year under the new thanks for this underwriting. The voted to the masthead, advertising, plan will be Jan.-March 2000 (pub- response has been positive about addressing block and notice. Six is- lished in Feb.); April-June 2000 this change. sues per year yields a total of 48 (May); July-Sept. 2000 (August); and As discussed in Victoria, the Board pages with 8 of them lost to Oct.-Dec. 2000 (November). Readers has decided to reduce the frequency vexillology by such necessary fea- can assist by sending in articles, of NAVA News to quarterly in favor tures, net total of 40 pages of clippings, drawings, reports on their of longer issues with color as a stan- vexillology. If we go to a quarterly of activities, etc. We need your help! dard feature. This will allow us to 16 pages, the total number is 64 We hope you will approve of these keep the same budget for layout and pages, with just 5!/3 pages lost to the changes. Enclosed with this issue is design, printing and mailing. It is felt necessary features, yielding 58@/3 a survey put together by our mem- that longer issues, such as the Janu- pages of vexillology per year. Plus we bership committee which will go a ary-April 1999 double issue, allow will gain 16 pages of color! long way towards helping us make more space for in-depth vexillological This change is slated to go into ef- future decisions. Your input is es- topics to be explored. fect after the last issue of the present sential. Please feel free to add any The change will also reduce the volume. We are trying to get back on additional comments before you re- amount of “overhead” space eaten up turn it. Thanks. —1— NAVA News 32/5 CONSERVING AMERICA’S “CIVIL WAR” FLAGS It streamed across many a bloody the first public entities to employ vators look for signs of powdering, battlefield, and if dropped it was textile professionals to conserve their acidity and brittleness in the fibers, picked up to fly again. Its capture State issued Civil War colors, and the and then determine the appropriate was deemed a disgrace, but if carried Museum of the Confederacy in Rich- steps to be taken to preserve the flag. to the enemy it was planted with the mond, Virginia, recently began a Museums usually take this light kind of hubris that only a victor can conservation project focusing on exposure business very seriously, summon. It was considered an their collection of fragile silk flags.1 limiting the amount of time their honor to carry it into battle, but it But just what is “conservation,” and flags are exhibited, and rotating their always meant that the bearer would how does it differ from “restoration?” artifacts every six months or so. become a most conspicuous target. Restoration is that process by Light is such an important consid- Its purpose was utilitarian, but in which an artifact undergoes treat- eration that Ms. Thomsen’s recom- the end it embodied the very soul of ment in order to make it look like its mendation to private owners of CW who you were and what you stood original condition, while conserva- flags is never exhibit them! “Silk is for. Perhaps more than any other tion is an environmental control pro- one of the most fragile materials we artifact of the Civil War, flags were cess that conserves the artifact in have today. We have silks from 2000 not only symbols of valor, they were its present condition but prevents BC from the Chinese tombs in beau- in many cases the cause of valor. further deterioration. Conservation tiful condition. Why? Because in a Even today Civil War flags can still allows flags to be cleaned and stabi- tomb it’s dark; the environment (of the bring out the passion in a human lized, but does not try to make the Chinese tombs) was stable; there heart; and they are considered one flag “look new.” Fonda Thomsen, di- wasn’t fluctuating temperature and of the most desirable of collectable rector of Textile Preservation As- humidity; there was no light; the artifacts. sociates in Sharpsburg, Maryland, pieces were lying flat, they were fully Few history buffs own Civil War says modern textile conservation supported, there were no insects, and flags, and the relative rarity of these began when scientists employed the there were no people handling them.” items insures their value. Most of us newly invented x-ray machine to Rebecca A. Rose, Flag Curator at will have to be content to visit a peer beneath the surface of old the Museum of the Confederacy in museum to see one, and even then paintings. “The first x-rays of paint- Richmond, Virginia, echoes these it is usually removed from our im- ings were done in 1910. It was dis- sentiments, and has this advice for mediate presence by a pane or two covered that many original paintings those who own CW or very old flags: of glass. In many cases it’s a tribute had been painted over in an effort to “The best way to store your flag is to the museum professional that fix damage on the original surface. flat, in a dark, temperature controlled they exist at all. Made in a hurry, Scientists then asked the question, environment. Avoid large extremes of sometimes of fragile material, they ‘what caused the original damage?’ temperature and humidity; don’t were rushed into a harsh environ- They found that these works of art store it in the attic or basement where ment consisting of rain, wind, cold, had deteriorated because of the en- there are extremes in temperature heat and, not surprisingly, smoke vironment in which the paintings and moisture, and mildew can be a and bullets. After the war they were kept. They had been subjected problem. Storage in the main living weren’t necessarily treated any bet- to too much light, extremes in tem- areas of a home is preferable, as cen- ter; many just “hung around,” or perature, mold and mildew. By 1950 tral heating and air conditioning have were furled tightly on their pikes and an international congress of art sci- made these areas a temperature con- left to bake in hot display cases for entists met with the express purpose trolled environment.” If a flag is large, years. Even well made flags had to of creating a professional organiza- flat storage may not be practical. In suffer certain indignities; during the tion to deal with works of art. The art this case the best way to store it is 1940’s, in an attempt to stabilize scientists felt so strongly that the to roll the flag on a tube, buffering them, many flags underwent a spe- environment was the chief cause of the fabric with an acid-free, archi- cial sewing technique. This “conser- deterioration that they decided to dis- val tissue. If the flag cannot be stored vation stitching” process caused tance themselves from the word “res- flat or properly rolled then the pre- thousands of holes to be poked into toration,” which implies ‘fixing it up’ ferred method, using archival qual- the fabric while a patented quilting to look like the original. They chose ity materials, is to fold the flag and stitch was applied across the face of instead to be called conservators.” store it in a box; but if you must do the flag. Afterward the flags became (Conservation is a material science, this be sure to buffer the flag, and a sort of esoteric curiosity, and were and professional conservators are avoid boxes with an acidic pH level. of interest only to dedicated histori- scientists. Graduate programs in Acid-free archival tissue paper and ans and vexillologists. conservation require a double ma- storage boxes are available at most But fifty years later, spurred on by jor in art and science.) In the case of quality art or framing stores. If you popular movies, television programs flags, conservation starts with deter- want to occasionally bring your flag and the reenactment hobby, a re- mining what kind of fiber was used out of storage and display it Ms. newed interest in all things “Civil to make the material. An experi- Thomsen has this alternative: “I War” has again drawn public atten- enced professional can often look at would suggest that the flag be rolled tion to flags. Both public and pri- a flag and tell what kind of fabric between two layers of a sheer film. vate museums have spent consid- was used in its construction, but [Textile Preservation Associates] uses erable sums to preserve and protect sometimes a microscope is required a clear polyester film called Mylar; their flag collections. The Common- to make that determination. Conser- what they encapsulate paper in. wealth of Pennsylvania was one of —2— September/October1999 WHAT MUSEUMS DO TO PRESERVE THEIR TREASURES, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PRESERVE YOURS! by Richard R. Gideon When someone wants to see it the the artwork on Union or Confeder- were used on SOME Civil War flags; flag can be unrolled off the tube, and ate flags was done by noted artists as an example, oversized flags of 8 it’s fully supported; no one has to of the time and rival a fine quality feet x 12 feet or larger, such as Navy touch it.” Like archival tissue, Mylar oil painting. The paint used was or Garrison flags (and not all of is available at better art and archi- natural resin paint, and the pre- them). But Ms. Rose says she does tectural supply stores. ferred media was Silk. The complex- not have one example of any flag If your flag is particularly dirty ity of the painting and the require- smaller than 8 feet on the hoist with you’ll want to get a professional tex- ment for a different device displayed metal grommets. One other item to tile conservator to clean it (or at least on the back made for some interest- look for is the quality of the “white” advise you before you try cleaning it ing techniques. Some flags were sim- fabric in your flag; if it’s “photocopy yourself!). Never throw it in the paper white” it isn’t 19th Century washing machine, and never send material. Finally, while the Museum it out to be dry-cleaned. At the Mu- of the Confederacy will not authen- seum of the Confederacy cleaning ticate or appraise your flag, they can methods vary from a “dry” cleaning tell you things about it that are con- (not to be confused with chemical sistent with the Civil War period or dry-cleaning at your local cleaners) not. They try to help people do their and a “wet” cleaning (again, not to own research so that they can es- be confused with the washing ma- tablish a link between the original chine variety). Museum “dry” clean- owner and the Civil War. Ms. Rose ing often involves vacuuming; a says she often sees flags that turn coated screen is placed between the out to be post Civil War; it might be fabric and the vacuum wand to pre- a reunion flag, or a Veterans flag, vent the fabric from being stressed etc. If you do find out your treasure by the suction. Lose dirt particles Canton of the 36 Star Civil Flag at the is post-Civil War take heart; these are pulled off the surface without Greene County Historical Society – Photo flags are finally beginning to get the damaging the material. This is not by Richard R. Gideon Flags recognition they deserve, and their your ordinary home vacuum cleaner; prices are going up. ply “back-painted” so that the ob- it’s a special low-pressure unit, with Sources: interior filters that collect the dirt for verse painting appeared backwards An interview with Ms. Fonda Thomsen, future analysis. “Wet” cleaning, a on the reverse side of the flag. Some- Director, Textile Preservation Associates complicated process that should times a flag was made with a double An interview with Ms. Rebecca A. Rose, only be performed by a professional canton, making it easier to make Curator, The Museum of the Confed- textile conservator, takes into con- different paintings on the front and eracy back. Other flags had a different seal “Advance the Colors” by Dr. Richard A. sideration such factors as fabric type Sauers, Ph.D., The Capitol Preservation and condition, and the type of dye painted on each side of one-layer Committee used to color the fabric.2 In one Silk, making them particularly frag- “Colours of the Gray” by Rebecca A. method the flag is given a “bath” in ile. Some Union Infantry flags had Rose, The Museum of the Confederacy de-ionized water. The water is double-pieced fourth red stripes, so Brenda Giles, Director, Greene County flushed and its pH level is monitored. that the gold-painted unit name Historical Society, Waynesburg, PA When the pH level stabilizes the pro- would appear correctly on both Research materials of Richard R. Gideon Flags cess is complete. Flags with painted sides. In some isolated cases, par- artwork are particularly difficult to ticularly with respect to civilian flags Notes: clean. At Textile Preservation Asso- of the time, painting or lettering was 1 The first phase of this process – a ciates painted flags undergo a hu- done on cotton, which was then ap- storage facility to store the Silk flags flat 3 midification process in order to re- pliqued to a wool flag. – has been completed. store pliability to the artwork and So now you know how to care for 2 Wet cleaning at the Museum of the relax the fibers in the material. Hu- your old flag, and you’ve seen what Confederacy involves misting fabric with midification requires a special cham- museums do to care for theirs. But deionized water and drying under glass ber and monitoring sensors, as the how do you know if you’ve got the weights. process must not only control the “real thing?” What are some of the 3 An interesting example of this humidity (between the range of 75%- clues you can look for to determine technique may be seen at the Greene 80%) but also temperature and time. whether your flag is Civil War era or County Historical Society in Caution: don’t try this at home! A something else altogether? Rebecca Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. steam iron is not a replacement for Rose looks for 1) zig-zag stitching, a humidity chamber! In fact, one of because Civil War flags did NOT use About the author: the worst things you can do to an it, and 2) the restricted use of metal A former teacher and broadcaster, Rich- old flag is to iron it. Rebecca Rose grommets. The zig-zag stitch first ard R. Gideon is a vexillologist, and owns agrees. “Sometimes people will see appeared on flags in the 1890’s. If Richard R. Gideon Flags, an enterprise wrinkles in these old flags, and they you have a wool flag with zig-zag specializing in reproductions of historic want them to look nice; but that’s stitching it may be one of the many flags. In addition to writing about flags extremely damaging, particularly to Veterans Flags that were made he is currently working on a flag book something that’s 130-140 years old.” around that time. Metal grommets about America’s other “Civil War” – the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. Speaking of painted flags, some of —3— NAVA News 32/5 THE FLAG AND BANNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF VEXILLOLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS The FIAV flag was introduced at the AUSTRALIA Svoboda. Second International Congress of Flag Society of Australia Inc. (A) Information supplied by Petr Exner. Vexillology in 1967: on a blue field, ex- Designed by Antony C. Burton and FINLAND tending horizontally from hoist to fly, two adopted 26 September 1989. The Partioheraldikot r.y. (A) yellow halyards forming two interlaced kangaroo design and the Southern Comprising a banner of their arms, the loops. The halyards allude to the study Cross denote Australia, the flag device main charge is a cross, blue on white, of flags and banners. The blue field and represents vexillology and the blue and representing Finland with a chief of halyards evoke the maritime origins of gold reflect FIAV. Blue and white recall green bearing a fleur-di-lis and a trefoil the first flags. The interlaced loops re- a strong Australian flag design in white, representative of world call the love-knots well-known to tradition. Proportions are 5:8 and the scouting. heraldists and symbolize the friendship colors are PMS 281 (Union Jack Blue), Information gathered from “Liehuvat which unites vexillologists of all lands. White, PMS 300 (Queens Award) and Värit,” No. 1/95. The loops formed by the halyards re- PMS 116 (Golden-yellow). FRANCE semble two hemispheres and in adding Information supplied by Ralph Bartlett, Société française de vexillologie (A) the four ends of the halyards, we arrive Secretary of the FSA. The colors are those of France and the at the number six, standing for the six BELGIUM white cross was for centuries the parts of the world. These elements of the Centre Belgo-Européen d’Études national emblem of that country. flag thus underline the international des Drapeaux (institution [I]) Graphic from the Flags of the World web character of our Federation. It may also The flag combines the Belgian tricolor site. be recalled that blue appears in the flags with the European flag. FRANCE: Brittany of a number of international organiza- Graphic adapted from the masthead of tions. The fact that the halyards extend Kevarzhe Vannielouriezh Vreizh/ “Gaceta de Banderas.” Société bretonne de vexillologie (A) across the whole flag and disappear be- Societas Vexillologica Belgica (A) yond either end express the considerable The flag was designed by Divi Kervella. The white flag bearing a red saltire Its field is white, charged with a black - almost infinite - extent of vexillological recalls the flag of urgundy which has studies in time and space. saltire. The triangle at the pole is long historical traditions in Belgium. ermine. The flag is based on the letter The initial design was created by Klaes At the hoist is a black triangle and a Sierksma and slightly modified by the “V” (Victor) of the international code yellow “V”, thus incorporating the of the signals (white flag charged with Congress Committee; the final design national colors of Belgium as well as a was realized by Peter Krog. In 1967, a red saltire); “V” as in “vexillology” symbol of dedication to vexillology. thus, the designer’s concept is President Mühlemann presented the From the Flag Bulletin, Vol. XVII No. 1. original FIAV flag to Whitney Smith. The vexillology in black and white, i.e. CANADA flag is now a part of the collection of the Breton vexillology. The saltire can be Burgee Data Archives (I) Flag Research Center. seen also like two letters “V” joined by The mathematical sign for infinity in On July 29, 1999, the 16th Session of their bases, that is to say, the initials blue on a white pennant (2:3) centered the FIAV General Assembly amended ar- of VEKSILLOLOGIEZH VREIZH on a green rectangular flag (2:3). The ticle 24 of the FIAV Constitution to de- (Breton vexillology). hoist of the pennant 2/3 of the hoist fine the color blue as Pantone Matching This flag was chosen during the of the rectangular flag. The infinity sign System (PMS) U293 and the color yellow meeting of the K.V.V./S.B.V. in represents the infinite number of as PMS U123. The officers’ flags were also Quimper on November 10, 1996, from designs that can be placed on the adopted by the 16th Session of the FIAV 27 proposals submitted. distinguishing flag (i.e. a burgee, General Assembly. The color specifica- Information supplied by Michel Bolloré- usually pennant [triangular] shaped) tions for the flags are as above plus red Pellé. of a recreational boating club or (PMS 192C). GERMANY Information supplied by Michel Lupant, association. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Granted by the Canadian Heraldic FIAV President, and Charles Spain, FIAV Flaggenkunde e.V. (A) Secretary-General. Graphics by Graham Authority, September 18, 1995. The DGF flag shows the German colors Flag designed and information Bartram, FIAV Secretary-General for black, red and golden yellow forming supplied by Peter B. Edwards, Director Congresses. a V for “vexillology”. The curved knots of BDA. SYMBOLS OF FIAV MEMBERS symbolize the sciences of vexillology. Canadian Flag Association/ Information from the DGF web site, ARGENTINA L’Association canadienne de . Asociación Argentina de Vexilología vexillologie (A) Heraldischer Verein “Zum (association [A]) The provisional flag of the CFA has 1:1 Kleeblatt” von 1888 zu Hannover The seal of the Association bears its proportions, the border mesuring 1/8 e.V. (I) acronym and a depiction of the or 1/9 of the height and forming a red This seal is displayed on their Argentine National Flag. The C around the flag. This flag was first publication, “Kleeblatt: Zeitschrift für inscription reads “ASOCIACION introduced at a CFA meeting in Heraldik und verwandte ARGENTINA DE VEXILOLOGIA” Scarborough in 1993. ° Wissenschaften.” No information was around the top and “Resolución N 60 Information from the CFA/ACV web provided. - I.G.J. 1988” around the bottom. The page, . Logo of the firm as displayed in the Information supplied by Gus Tracchia, CZECH REPUBLIC prospectus sheet for “Das Große Jiri Tenora and Petr Exner. Vexilologicky klub (A) Flaggenbuch.” Centro Interdisciplinario de The Club´s flag was adopted on 6 World Vexillological Research Estudios Culturales (A) March 1976 and consists of a red field Institute (I) The width of the arms of the cross are (2:3) charged with a white triangle On a field of UN Blue is a white circle 1/3 of the hoist and the upright cross extending to the fly. Another blue representing the world, bearing five arm is placed the same distance from triangle is laid on the white one. Its overlapping “Vs” in a triangle and in the hoist. Overall proportions are 9:14. top extends to half of the length of the the principal flag colors. Information supplied by Gus Tracchia, flag. Designer of the flag is Zbysek Information supplied by Jiri Tenora and US Representative of CIDEC. —4— Petr Exner. September/October1999 HUNGARY for commercial or personal purposes. SPAIN Zászlókutató Intézet/Flag Research Information from NAVA News, Vol. I, No. 1. Sociedad Española de Vexilología Institute (A) POLAND (A) The ZI Flag is 2:3 ratio, 6 vertical Centrum Flagi Ziemi/Earth Flag Based on traditional historical flags stripes (red, white, green, yellow, black Centre (I) that bore a saltire, the arms of the and blue). Red-white-green are the Consisting of the Polish National Flag truncated cross are displayed in the Hungarian colors; 3 colors are added with a counterchanged “C” for “Center” Spanish National colors. to represent the 6 continents. and a blue globe with white meridians Illustration adapted from masthead of Information supplied by Sándor Kiss. representing the Earth. “Gaceta de Banderas.” ITALY Information supplied by Jiri Tenora and SPAIN: Catalonia Centro Italiano Studi Vessillologici Petr Exner. Associació Catalana de Vexil.lología (I) Flag Design Center (I) (A) Designed by Aldo Ziggioto and adopted Designed by Alfred Znamierowski in The flag is based on the traditional flag in 1973. Ratio 2:3. August 1978. Combines the colors of of Catalonia. Information from the CISV web site Poland with those of the USA, where Illustration from the ACV web page, . al.martinelli/cisv.htm>. located there until 1994. The “V” SRI LANKA MALTA, G.C. stands for Vexillology, the Bald Eagle Flag Research Centre of Sri Lanka Heraldry and Vexilology Society of the spirit of flying. (I) Malta (A) Information supplied by Alfred The center emblem in black, consisting The HAVSOM Flag is based on the Znamierowski. of a saltire combined with a cross white-red national flag of Malta, with Polskie Towarzystwo whose ends terminate in arrowheads, a counter-changed “pile” or “V” to Weksylologizne (A) represents the flow of vexillological indicate vexillology. Upon the V is a Designed in 1997 by Andrzej information to and from the eight counter-changed shield, with a Beblowski after a suggestion by Dr. corners of the compass. The flag is 1:2 “George Cross” which ends up as the Ottfried Neubecker. White and red are and bears two horizontal red stripes national shield of arms of Malta, to the colors of Poland and “W” stands to honor all those millions who from indicate the interest in heraldry. for “weksylologia” (vexillology in time immemorial have laid down their Use of the George Cross is restricted Polish). Proportions 5:8. lives for flags of various causes all over by law, therefore the Society had to Information supplied by Alfred the world. The ratio of the white and obtain official permission from the Znamierowski. red stripes is 4:1:5:1:4. Designed by Prime Minister of Malta, granted in ROMANIA Kumaran Fernando. February 1997. Societatea Româna de Vexilologie Information from the Flag Bulletin, Vol. Information supplied by Adrian (A) XVII, No. 1. Strickland, President of HAVSOM. The Societatea Româna de Vexilologie SWEDEN NETHERLANDS has provided no flag information. Västra Sveriges Heraldiska Sällskap Nederlandse Vereniging voor SCANDANAVIA (A) Vlaggenkunde (A) Nordisk Flaggselskab/Norræna This association provided no The flag is 2:3, white with 4 triangles Fánafélagd/Nordiska information. The image was taken from of 2 equal sizes, base to the hoist and Flaggsällskapet/Pohjoismaiden the “Vexilologicky Lexikon” by Petr top on the fly edge. The base length is Lippuseura/Nordisk Flag Selskab (A) Exner and Jiri Tenora published in 1/4 of the flag height. The colors of The red cross on yellow is the flag 1996. the triangles are (from top to bottom) supposedly used by King Erik as SWITZERLAND red, blue, red and blue. The flag has Nordic “colors of the realm.” It is Schweizerische Gesellschaft für colors red-white-blue indicating that displayed in the form of the FIAV Fahnen- und Flaggenkunde/Société the NVvV is a Dutch association. To halyard and knot. Suisse de Vexillologie/Società place 4 different colored pennants on Illustration adapted from “Nordisk Svizzera di Vessillologia (A) a flag indicates that the members of Flagkontakt.” Flag: Red with a white cross (extending the NVvV are interested in a variety of SLOVENIA to the edges of the flag). Along each flags and/or vexilloids. Heraldica Slovenica (A) diagonal a yellow bar which ends in a The flag, a design by Henk ‘t Jong, was The flag is a banner from the arms of fleur-de-lys. Extending from the cross adopted at a meeting in Delft on March the society and recalls the National 8 yellow flames (one to the left and to 28, 1987. Flag and Arms of Slovenia. the right of each diagonal cross bar) Information supplied by Daan van Coat of arms illustrated on HS web and 4 red flames (covering partly each Leeuwen, Treasurer of the NVvV. page, . flag it has square shape. New Zealand Flag Association (A) SOUTHERN AFRICA Information from the Flags of the World The New Zealand Flag Association has The Southern African Vexillological web site. no flag. Association (A) UKRAINE Information supplied by John Moody, At least one of the colours in this flag Ukrayins’ke Heral’dychne Secretary of NZFS, courtesy of Jon will be found in the national flag of Tovarystvo/The Ukrainian Heraldry Radel. every state in southern Africa. The gold Society (A) NORTH AMERICA inverted chevron alludes to a “V” for The flag was adopted on November 10, North American Vexillological vexillology. The five white stars, which 1995. Designed by Volodymyr Association (A) are derived from the Southern Cross, Denysov. Flag has Ukrainian National The colors are those found in the flags and the white chevron, allude to colours, stylised Trident and of the United States of America and southern Africa. abbreviation “UHT” (in Cyrylic Canada. The white “V” (and inverted Adopted November 1990 with the characters). chevronel in heraldic terms) stands for formal establishment of SAVA. Information supplied by Andriy “vexillology.” Designed by Frederick Brownell, State Grechylo, President of UHT. The flag was designed by Harry F. Herald of South Africa and first UNITED KINGDOM Manogg of Kankakee, Illinois, and Chairman of SAVA. Proportions 2:3. Flag Institute (A) adopted in 1967. It’s proportions are Information supplied by Bruce Berry, The Flag Institute flag depicts the 2:3. The NAVA Flag may not be used Secretary/Treasurer of SAVA. continued on page 8 —5—

NAVA News 32/5 continued from page 5 THE WORLD ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FLAGS Cross of Saint George on a white V on A brand-new encyclopedia of world hundred and twenty errors to be blue, the international symbol for Vexillology. The flag was designed by flags, authored by Alfred corrected. the late director of the Flag Institute, Znamierowski, the best on the sub- Unfortunately I did not receive any Dr. William Crampton. ject in two decades, has been printed further proofs, and until I received Information from the FI web site, and is available from my copy of the book I was not aware . Flag Research Center that more than two dozen errors had USA Flag Research Center (I) PO Box 580 not been corrected, and the comput- The emblem of the FRC, designed by Winchester MA 01890-0880 USA er artist had added another one (on Louis Loynes, incorporates a zephyr Tel: (781) 729-9410 page 232 he has removed the flag of (gentle breeze) in the form of a ship Fax: (781) 721-4817 Ouarzazate and has put in its place bearing a flag. The zephyr is According to the FRC, “The hard- remnants of the flag of East rearguardant, symbolizing research which involves looking back into cover volume contains 256 pages, Flanders). There are seven other history. The proportions are 1:2 with averaging more than 8 color illus- major errors — misrepresentations the indentations being one-sixth of the trations per page and covering all of some national and subnational length of the flag from the fly and one- types of flags throughout world his- flags, as well as more than a dozen third of the hoist in distance from the tory plus complete text.” minor errors in text, captions, and top to the bottom. Information supplied by Whitney Smith, Prices are (anywhere in the world): index. Director of the FRC. 1 copy by surface mail.....$44 Here is a list of flags which are National Flag Foundation (A) 1 copy air mail...... $49 shown incorrectly: The logo was taken from the NFF web 3 copies by surface mail...$85 Page 57 - Francois Mitterand (the site, . Tumbling Waters Museum of Flags VISA and Master Card accepted. Page 103 - Civil ensign of Malta (I) The author of the book sends the following: (the white border is missing), Designed by Charles E. Brannon, “The book looks very good, never- Page 148 - South Holland (the roy- adopted April 10, 1972. Seven stars theless I am unhappy that there are al flag of Scotland is shown), which encircle the script letter “W” represent the seven stars in the City so many errors. Since I am the au- Page 158 - Gagauzia (the three of Montgomery flag; the UN blue panel thor, I owe an apology to the poten- white stars are missing), forms the Tumbling Waters “wave” and tial readers and an explanation why Page 165 - Palestine (the civil flag represents the rivers of America; the it happened. After receiving the co- of Spain is shown), brown symbolizes Alabama’s rich soil, lour proofs I checked them carefully Page 176 - Taiwan (the Tainwanese and the gold the rich heritage of the region. The two large stars represent and sent to the editor a list of some jack is shown), Page 228 - Portugese Language the main purposes of the museum, to Information supplied by David “Explore and Enlighten” while orange Martucci, NEVA Secretary/Treasurer. Community (blue border is missing). is associated with festivity, pageantry USA: Delaware, District of Columbia, The errors on pages 103 and 228 and glory. Red represents the flag of were not spotted by me when I the State of Alabama, and the Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylva- complicated flag design represents the nia, Virginia checked the colour proofs. Neverthe- complexity of flag study, while the gold Chesapeake Bay Flag Association less the artwork at the computer border forms an “M” for Montgomery. (A) artist’s disposal was correct, and he Information supplied by Charles E. The blue colors recall the bay that is the namesake of the association. The is to blame for removal of the bor- Brannon, President, Board of Trustees. ders. Illustration from NAVA News, Vol. XI, stars represent the states that No. 3. comprise the territory of its operations. The errors in text which have not United States Flag Foundation (A) The two dark blue stripes on light blue been corrected are as follows: No information was provided by the are similar to the two red stripes on Page 155 - Serbian Republic - organization. white from the Washington DC Flag. Information supplied by Nick should be ‘National Flag’ not ‘State USA: Connecticut, Maine, Massachu- Artimovich, President of CBFA and Jon and National Flag.’ setts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Radel. Vermont Page 185 - Tuvalu - should be New England Vexillological USA: Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, ‘Vaitupu’ not ‘Vaitupua.’ Association (A) Michigan Page 206 - Curaçao - should be The NEVA Flag is based on the Great Waters Association of Vexillology (A) ‘Flag of the Islands’ not ‘Island.’ traditional flag of England (white Page 210 - captions above stamps bearing a red St. George’s cross), the The Great Waters flag, designed by namesake of the New England region John M. Purcell, was adopted in 1991 - ‘Amazonas’ not ‘Amazonias.’ of the United States. In the center is as a result of a contest among the Page 242 - captions - ‘Anarchosyn- a white diamond edged in blue and membership. The blue field of the flag dicalists’ not ‘Anarchosyndacilists.’ again in white, emblazoned with a suggests the blue of the waters of the Great Lakes and the Ohio River for Page 244 - captions - ‘Welt-Han- green pine tree. The pine tree is the delsflotte’ not ‘welt-Handelsflotte.’ traditional synmbol of New England, which GWAV is named. The stripes, while the blue fimbriation represents one for each of the states that make Also nine of my changes and addi- two “V’s”, one inverted over the other, up the region of membership, are tions to the index have been ignored, representing Vexillology. The red- alternately red and white (from the top) and one new error has been made white-blue colors recall the colors of and symbolize the first letter of Vexillology. Proportions are 2:3. (see Castiole under Catalonia instead the United States Flag and the red- of Castilla-León).” white-green colors recall the colors of Information supplied by Peter J. the traditional New England Flag. Kinderman, President of GWAV. Alfred Znamierowski —8— September/October1999 THE ORIGINS OF FIAV Editor’s note: The following is an by Whitney Smith membership. The provisional cre- abridged version of a piece originally For these reasons it was decided ation of FIAV was announced in Sep- published in NAVA News, Vol. XXIX, that FIAV would be a federation link- tember 1967 at the 2nd Interna- No. 1 (Jan-Feb 1996), pages 3-4. ing associations and institutions, tional Congress of Vexillology in I had been in correspondence with rather than individuals. The creation Zurich, Switzerland and the actual Klaes Sierksma of the Netherlands of associations would allow foundation of the Federation was on about a meeting of vexillologists in vexillologists in each country or re- 7 September 1969 at the 3rd Con- his country. In September 1965 we gion to organize themselves as they gress held in Boston, Massachu- were jointly able to realize the 1st saw fit—with their own meetings, setts, USA. Its charter membership International Congress of publications, and activities suited to numbered 12 (of which 6 are no Vexillology. In the little town of local circumstances. This also elimi- longer in existence) and today its Muiderberg 19 participants from nated the necessity of a budget for membership stands at 42, encom- Europe, plus myself and a man from FIAV and the complications which passing organizations and institu- South Africa, spent two days dis- might arise from trying to determine tions on each continent except Asia cussing flags and enjoying tours, a fair assessment of money, proper and Antarctica. films, lectures, and exhibits. After control over its spending, and the NAVA News salutes FIAV getting to know each other, on the uneven benefits that might result. on its 30th Birthday! second day we discussed the future Thus it was decided that the core development of our nascent “science purpose of the new international NAVA News of vexillology.” organization would be to provide a Published bimonthly by the North Everyone agreed congresses forum every two years for member American Vexillological Association (NAVA), PMB 225, 1977 N Olden Ave Ext, should continue to be held on a regu- associations and institutions to meet Trenton NJ 08618-2193 USA. ISSN lar basis for our mutual enrichment, and discuss mutual problems. When 1053-3338. Material appearing in NAVA moving from country to country both appropriate, this would result in in- News does not necessarily reflect the to encourage wide participation and ternationally-binding decisions. In policy or opinion of NAVA, the executive to give us access to the vexillological addition, sponsorship of the Inter- board or of the editor. Please send articles, letters to the edi- treasures of diverse cultures. We also national Congresses of Vexillology tor and inquiries concerning advertising needed some kind of international was to be an important ongoing re- rates and permission to reprint articles association to coordinate our activi- sponsibility for FIAV. to: ties. Responsibility for creating the While there was general agreement David Martucci, Interim Editor association was placed in the hands that national associations would 240 Calderwood Rd Washington ME 04574-3440 USA of myself, Sierksma, and Louis provide the regular opportunities for (207) 845-2857 Muhlemann, who was to organize individual vexillologists to meet, ex- [email protected] the 2nd Congress of Vexillology in change information, publish, and Articles may be submitted in hard copy Zurich in 1967. develop their interests, in fact na- or in any Macintosh or PC format (ex- During the course of correspon- tional associations did not exist in cepting Lotus Word Pro) on 3.5” diskettes dence between the three of us the 1965. Thus the decision to consti- or Zip disks. A hard copy showing all present International Federation of tute FIAV as a federation of formatting preferences should accom- pany the disk. Articles and/or disks ac- Vexillological Associations (FIAV) was vexillological associations was a companied by a SASE will be returned. developed. We quickly realized that prime factor leading to the creation Please send copies or originals of any the original concept of an “Interna- of associations. Things would have flag-related newspaper and magazine tional League of Vexillologists” would worked out very differently if the clippings to the Vexi-Bits editor: present many difficulties due to the original concept of an International John H. Gámez 5335 NW Loop 410 #513 small number of individuals around League of Vexillologists had been fol- San Antonio TX 78229-5529 USA the world interested in flags, the tre- lowed. (210) 256-9701 mendous distances involved, and the The Netherlands Association of [email protected] fact that very few of us had any pos- Vexillology (NVVV) was the first na- Please send all non-NAVA News related sibility of getting financial support tional association of vexillology, correspondence, including change of for vexillology from our occupations. founded in 1966 by the Dutch. The address or changes in email status to If the only gathering of vexillologists French Association of International the Association’s permanent address: NAVA took place at the biennial con- Vexillological Studies (no longer in PMB 225 gresses, decisions would be heavily existence) was the second organiza- 1977 N Olden Ave Ext weighted in favor of the natives of tion formed, later that same year. Trenton NJ 08618-2193 USA the host country. Moreover, those The North American Vexillological [email protected] who for any reason could not attend Association (NAVA), the third Visit NAVA on the web at might well find the possibility of vexillological association, created in http://www.nava.org/ meeting other vexillologists only once 1967, has always had the largest ©1999 NAVA - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED a decade or less often. —9— NAVA News 32/5 FLAG SYMPOSIUM OHIO CIVIL WAR FLAG DESIGN CONTEST The Municipality of Szekesfehervar IN BALTIMORE FLAGS CONFERENCE announces a Flag Festival will be held Working title - “Early American The Civil War Institute and the in Szekesfehervar, Hungary during the celebration of the birth of the Hungar- Flag Makers and Their Flags” or Save the Ohio Flags Committee of ian state (1,000 years) beginning in May “Colours for All Nations” (Rebecca the Ohio Historical Society are go- 2000. The selected and realized actual Young’s 1803 Directory listing in ing to present a two day Civil War flags will decorate the streets of Philadelphia) flags symposium on September 8 Szekesfehervar at least for 2-3 weeks. Purpose of Symposium and 9th, 2000. These flags should reflect or refer to the 1. What was the nature of flag mak- history of the history of Hungary, or the This is a Friday/Saturday arrange- ing in the early years of our coun- city of Szekesfehervar and/or the ment. Friday will concentrate on the try (before the Civil War) millenium. 2. Who made the flags? flag professionals of this study area- The actual flag’s size should be no 3. Rebecca Young was commissioned conservators, curators, etc. Lectures more than 300 cm (width) [9’10”] and 250 cm (length) [8’2”]. The material of to make American Ensigns in 1781 as well as panel discussions are be- the flag will have to survive 3 weeks out- ing planned. This will also be used and 1782 - what would they have side. looked like? for any museum staff member to The entry should be a detailed flag- 4. What was the purpose of flags? speak on their ongoing flags projects description with illustrations (max: 5 Specifics about the Symposium in their respective state/institution. entries are accepted). The winning flag Saturday March 11, 2000 from Saturday will be a more historically designs will get financial support to pro- duce the flag itself, so a budget would 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. oriented program with lectures on have to be enclosed with the entry. Admiral Fell Inn in Fells Point, 888 Ohio’s CW flags, the flags of a single South Broadway, Baltimore MD The proposed flags’ designers will get Ohio regiment, Ohio flagmakers as an Invitation to the festival (please note 21231 phone (410) 558-1013 http:/ well as some lectures on Southern that it does not mean that the travel and /www.AdmiralFell.com flags. We plan on a full range of CW other costs would be covered - TR) Cost : $35 per person will include Prizes: lunch flags topics. I. 100.000,- HUF (USD 410) Symposium followed by walking Please pass this along to anyone II. 70.000,- HUF (USD 285) tour of Fells Point and/or tour of the you think would be interested in at- III. 50.000,- HUF (USD 205) Flag House tending or speaking at this function. and a few flags will be purchased for The Admiral Fell Inn can Greg Biggs of the Save The Ohio the owner. accomodate up to 100 people The deadline: the entries must arrive Flags Committee is in charge of the by 31 January, 2000. The following are lined up to speak programming for this event. Sugges- Submit your entry to the following at the Symposium: tions are indeed welcomed! Postal address: Whitney Smith - Overview of the For more info, contact: Pelikan Galeria political perspective of early flags Greg Biggs Kossuth u. 15. Howard Madaus - Other 15 star SZEKESFEHERVAR Save The Ohio Flags Committee Flags Hungary 8000 Fonda Thompson - The Gostelowe [email protected] If you have any questions I offer my Standards (419) 586-5294 help. Send your questions to: Pat Pilling - Rebecca Flower Young, [email protected], or call the organiz- ers: +36-1-22-329-431. Please note that Mary Pickersgill, William Young- I have no official connection or any con- Early American Flag Makers tract to this event’s organizers, but I Other speakers are being arranged. think the flag-designers and For more information, contact vexillologists from all over the world Sally Johnston at the Star Spangled Banner open contest. I put the Flag festival de- House in Baltimore. scription onto our homepage as well. The RAVEN 6 ERRATA article appeared in the “Fehervari Polgar” Due to a printing error in Raven the official magazine of Municipality of 6, the text on pages 50 and 51 was Szekesfehervar (Hungarian only). in this order: page 49, 51, 50, 52. traditional flag of Brittany, the Email: [email protected]. Copies of Raven 6 can be corrected banner of arms, was shown hu. by writing “to page 51” at the bot- incorrectly in NAVA News Vol. 32, Tamas Rumi tom of page 49, “to page 50” on the NAVA member bottom of page 51, and “to page 51” No. 1-2 (January-April 1999). The Founder of Flag Research Institute at the bottom of page 50. We apolo- correct design is shown above. We (Hungary) gize to the author and to the read- regret the error. Zaszlokutato Intezet ers for this error. —10— September/October1999 NIFDA ‘GEORGE WASHINGTON’ PRIVATE FLAGS - AWARDED TO WHITNEY SMITH PUBLIC FORUM On September 25, 1999 the Na- study of and science concerning tional Independent Flag Dealers As- flags.” He further commented about THE PERSONAL FLAGS sociation (NIFDA) of the USA pre- Smith, “Throughout his life, he has OF NAVA’S MEMBERS sented its first “George Washington been a pioneer in the field and has NAVA is proud to offer display Award for Excellence” to NAVA mem- provided the bulk of the tremendous space on our web site for our mem- ber and founder, Whitney Smith, substance now known in today’s bers’ private flags. All flags shown director of the Flag Research Cen- study of flags, what he reverently are completed flags or drawings ter. The award, presented by NIFDA’s and lovingly refers to as the ‘Fabric (photos of actual flags get priority) president-elect Jim Eggleston of Fort of Our Dreams.’” and were designed by our members. Worth, Texas, is a replica of a life In making the announcement of NAVA provides this space for size bust of George Washington, the the inaugural recipient, NIFDA’s vexillological purposes only and does first president of the USA and hero board stated, “Whitney Smith will do not endorse any particular flag. of the American Revolution executed more to give honor and prestige to Members are encouraged to sub- mit their personal or family flag de- by Jean-Antoine Houdon in 1785. our first George Washington Award signs. For information on how to The George Washington Award is than this Award will do for him. We submit your flag for publication on NIFDA’s preeminent recognition for are truly honored to have him ac- our web site contact webmaster@ a man or woman who has offered a cept this Award, to care for the trea- nava.org or mail your inquiry to the prolonged period of service to the flag sures that he does, and to have him NAVA News Editor: industry. It is bestowed upon those serve so humbly and so expertly for David Martucci who have set an example in their so many years. We are even more 240 Calderwood Rd business dealings of excellence, in- honored to have him as our friend. Washington ME 04574-3440 USA tegrity and professionalism. The Dr. Smith is to our industry what Members flags currently displayed award further recognizes those who great icons and leaders such as Gen- on the web site are David Martucci, have given above and beyond the call eral Washington have been to our Washington, Maine USA; Dean Tho- mas, Pasadena, California USA; Dr. of duty in terms of time, advice, and country and its revolutionary spirit.” Whitney Smith, Ph.D, Winchester, wisdom to others, within and with- Additional 1999 recipients of the Massachusettes USA; Ted Kaye, out the flag industry. George Washington Award in recog- Portland, Oregon USA; John Purcell, According to Eggleston, “The nition of their prior receipt of Middleberg Heights, Ohio USA; Ri- Award’s first recipient certainly ex- NIFDA’s “Golden Grommet Award” chard R. Gideon, Pittsburgh, Penn- emplifies each and every character- were NAVA members Randy Beard, sylvania USA; Tamas Rumi, istic NIFDA’s board was attempting Sr., Chairman of Annin & Co.; and Szekesfehervar , Hungary; Devereaux to recognize in creating the Award Jim Van Gundy, Martin’s Flag Co., D. Cannon Jr., Portland, Tennessee and bestowing it upon worthy recipi- Fort Dodge, Iowa; and former NAVA USA; and Jose C. Alegria, Gijon, ents. Just as George Washington is members Joe McIntyre and Bill Spain. hailed as the ‘Father of our Coun- Spangler of the Dettra Flag Co. and We hope to get many more. In ad- dition, if there is enough of a re- try,’ Whitney Smith is truly hailed Jim Timberlake of the Flag Center. sponse, we hope to print the designs Congradulations to all. as the ‘Father of Vexillology,’ the in the Membership Directory. U.S. BURIAL FLAG I was speaking to a group of re- of that either. flying.” Understand that it took me tired persons in Southampton PA. I called two sources, The Veterans a long time (several minutes) to fi- At the conclusion a man asked, Administration and The American nally get this response out of the “What should I do with my father’s Legion. It gets a little confusing but man who answered the phone. burial flag?” I answered “Fly It! — If here is what it boils down to: you I called the American Legion, told you love and respect his memory — are allowed to fly the Burial Flag (and him my story and he was livid! “FLY FLY IT! Don’t let it sit in a drawer are encouraged to do so). The VA first THE FLAG” he shouted. Are those and end up in a yard sale some day.” told me “No, you should not fly the people in Washington too cheap to A women in the group got up and Burial Flag.” “Why?” I asked, “Has it spend the money to buy our Veter- said that she was told not to fly the anything to do with flag etiquette or ans a decent flag that can be flown burial flag! “Who told you that?” was respect for the Veteran?” “No.” “Well outside? He went on to tell me that my response. She replied, “The gov- then why?” “The Flag should not be the Legion has adopted a 30 day pro- ernment, when I received the flag.” I flown because the material is ‘not gram of flying the Flag to honor the told her that I had never heard of waterproof,’ the size is cumbersome Veteran. that but I would check it out. No- and does not lend itself to outdoor Gerry McCavera body in the audience had ever heard —11— NAVA News 32/5 Sept/Oct 1999 Re: VEXILLON Don and the editorial board and staff You might note that the FIAV of Raven, and then identify who INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Board chooses the recipient of the those board and staff members are;
Student Resistence in Serbia Vexillon award. For the 1999 award, however, it’s inaccurate to state that
Tanaka Flag Company the FIAV Board intentionally decided
the award was given to Don and spe- Changes in NAVA News not to identify the Raven editorial
Conserving America’s Civil War Flags cifically named individuals or to
The Flag of FIAV board and staff by name. This was state that the award was given to
Symbols of FIAV Members done in order to keep the primary NAVA.
World Encyclopedia of Flags focus on Don Healy, while still rec- Attached are President Lupant’s
The Origins of FIAV ognizing the collaborative nature of
remarks at the presentation. Flag Symposium in Baltimore the final product. It’s accurate to
Ohio Civil War Flags Conference Sincerely,
Raven 6 Errata state that the award was given to Kin Spain
NAVA News Correction FIAV PRESIDENT MICHEL LUPANT’S REMARKS ON PRESENTING THE 1999 VEXILLON
Flag Contest At the suggestion of the Flag Society of Raven: A Journal of Vexillology, was
NIFDA Award to Whitney Smith
US Burial Flag of Australia, FIAV established the the result of years of work by the au-
Private Flags - Public Forum Vexillon Award in 1989 to recognize the thor, Donald T. Healy, and the Raven person or persons who have made the editorial board and staff. This work con- FUR FLAGS most important contribution to stitutes the first serious look at the flags I have a customer who wants some vexillology during the two years preced- of the indigenous peoples of the United “Fur Company” flags made. He ing the International Congress of States, and it is an original and signifi- wants: American Fur Company, Vexillology. Since 1989, the Flag Society cant contribution to vexillology. For this Hudson Bay Company, and North of Australia has graciously provided the outstanding achievement, FIAV recog- West Fur Company. plaque for the Vexillon, and the FIAV nizes the author, Don Healy, and all Do you know what the North West Board has selected the recipient of the other individuals who contributed to the Fur Company flag looked like? Vexillon. success of this important work. Thanks! Richard R. Gideon Flags This year FIAV bestows the Vexillon for The FIAV Board asks Dr. John Purcell, 520 Oxford Blvd a unique contribution to vexillology, one chair of the editorial board of Raven, to Pittsburgh PA 15243-1562 USA which was the work of several people. come forward and accept the Vexillon on 412-276-7689 “Flags of the Native Peoples of the United behalf of both Mr. Healy and the Raven http://www.gideonflags.com States,” published in volumes 3 and 4 board and staff. Visit NAVA’s Award-winning Web Site http://www.nava.org NAVA NEW EDITOR SOUGHT NAVA News is looking for a new edi- SHOPPER tor. Duties to include determining edi- Dr. Peter Orenski torial content with the advice of the PMB 225 Raven 1 (1994) Raven 2 (1995) NAVA Publications Committee, arrang- Moon
Alamo Desecration
Boating 1977 N Olden Ave Ext ing for layout and design of each issue Trenton NJ 08618 USA Vexillaria
Canada Whaling Stations in a timely manner, receiving and re- Evolutionary
Nevada Israel
Turkmenistan 24-magnet sets US$12 postpaid sponding to authors and letters to the all NAVA meeting flags US $12 postpaid editor, determining articles and columns including NAVA 33/ICV 18 Raven 3/4 (1996-97) Raven 5 (1998) US$45 postpaid for each issue, arranging for production Flags of Native Peoples The United States and mailing of each issue. of the United States Flag Embroidered Highest-quality US$25 postpaid US$20 postpaid Those who may be interested in this white or sky blue volunteer position may contact the NAVA-flag polo shirts NAVA President: XL and a few L Send order to: David Martucci US$33.20 postpaid RAVEN 240 Calderwood Rd PMB 225 Washington ME 04574 Jewelry-quality 1977 N Olden Ave Ext (207) 845-2857 NAVA seal lapel pins Trenton NJ 08618 USA 24K high-polish gold finish [email protected] US$7.50 postpaid Please make checks payable to NAVA —12—