Early 20th-Century Signal Flag in Red, White (now aged), and Blue
c. 1920s-1940s; American Maritime, Industrial, or Railroad Origin
Heavy-gauge cotton signal flag featuring horizontal red, white, and blue bands with its center stripe now mellowed to a warm cream tone through natural oxidation and age. Machine-stitched seams and reinforced edges speak to its utilitarian purpose, designed for outdoor use on ships, docks, or industrial sites where high visibility was key. The muted coloration and hand-finished details suggest an early 20th-century manufacture period, bridging the functional craftsmanship of naval communication flags with the enduring symbolism of patriotic tricolor design.
Surface toning, faint staining, and minor edge wear gived the flag a semi-distressed look. Please refer to photos regarding condition.
34" W x 31" H
Pole: 46" L
MM - 120623 - 6523
JP - 110325
NOTE:
The Romanian flag (both early horizontal and later vertical versions) and the French flags traditionally use equal bands of color with less square proportions. In this item, the bands appear wider and unevenly proportioned, particularly the white/yellow center section, which departs from official specifications of either country. The fabric and stitching style suggest mid-20th century industrial canvas, not the hand-dyed cotton or wool bunting typical of 19th-century European state flags, and the pole attachment aligns more with signal or field flags used by rail, maritime, or industrial organizations.
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Industrial Artifacts ships small goods and freight worldwide from our offices in DeKalb, IL just outside Chicago. All shipments are insured for full value. Please note that returns are not accepted.
PARCEL SHIPPING
We ship smaller objects with UPS and USPS. All shipments are fully insured and adhere to carrier packing guidelines. Shipping costs for smaller items being shipped within the continental United States are free up to $100. If a parcel shipment exceeds $100, the remaining costs will be the responsibility of the buyer. Please reach out to us for a free shipping quote on items you are interested in purchasing and note that international shipments may incur additional shipping cost.
FREIGHT SHIPPING
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