20th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS PENNANT OF NOTABLE WEIGHT & QUALITY, IN THE OLD COLOR SCHEME, MADE DURING OR IN THE WAKE OF WWII Marine Corps pennant, made of heavy felt with a dark blue ground, with a flocked (Silvet-painted) device and lettering in harvest gold, with an applied, gold felt binding and blue felt ties. The colors used to represent the Marine Corps changed over time. Though the present combination of scarlet red and gold were formally adopted in 1925, American military traditions die hard, tending to be as difficult to extinguish as the men and women of their ranks. In this regard, the Corps was far from an exception. 14 years would, in fact, pass before the official change caught up with Marine Corps flags...

VOTES FOR WOMEN PARADE TEXTILE IN GREEN, WHITE, & VIOLET, OF A TYPE WORN AS SASHES AND WAVED AS NARROW PARADE BANNERS, MADE IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT BY CALHOUN PRESS FOR THE WOMEN'S ...

Circa 1960's hand painted maple sap bucket by Tom FitzSimons of Manchester, VT. This sap bucket is hand made from wood with metal bands. The metal bands, along with the bucket have...

48 STARFISH-LIKE, NEEDLEWORK EXECUTED STARS ON A HAND-CROCHETED ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG FROM THE EARLIEST PART OF THE 48 STAR ERA, 1912-WWI (U.S. INVOLVEMENT 1917-18) OR EVEN PRIOR TO ...

VINTAGE CALIFORNIA STATE "BEAR" FLAG OF STOUT CONSTRUCTION, AND WITH SIGNIFICANT GOLDEN BROWN OXIDATION THAT LENDS TO BEAUTIFUL PATINA AND CONVEYS ITS AGE; LATTER 1940’s - 1960’s Early state flags fall between very scarce and extraordinarily rare in the antiques marketplace. One primary reason for this is that most states, even if they existed during the 18th or 19th century, didn’t actually adopt flags until the early 20th century. The Maryland State Legislature, for example, didn’t find need for a state banner until 1904, in spite of the fact that Maryland was one of the original 13 colonies. Other states had crests or symbols that were tied to the state legislature in some way, or to local patriotism, but didn't accept an official design until many years following statehood. In the case of California, the "Bear Flag," as all California state flags and variations thereof are often called, is based on a significant early example. The eldest surviving Bear Flag is thought to date to the 1846 “Bear Flag Revolt”. This occurred when Major John Frémont arrived in the state on a so-called mission to reach the Pacific and encouraged an uprising against Mexican rule in the territory. Frémont claimed himself military governor of the California Republic and was brought up on charges of treason for his actions, but was pardoned by President James Polk. Polk was an expansionist and Frémont’s actions brought California to statehood in 1850, immediately following the 1849 Gold Rush. The original Bear Flag was designed and made by William L. Todd, a first cousin to Abraham Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd. Painted on cotton, it had a white field with a red stripe along the bottom, just like the modern design. The star image was taken from what was known as the “California Lone Star Flag”, flown during California's previous, 1836 revolt. Like the modern California flag, the red star appeared the upper hoist-end corner, but the bear was placed next to the star. On a later version, designed by a man named Peter Storm...

33 STARS IN A DOUBLE-WREATH CONFIGURATION, ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG DATING IMMEDIATELY PRE-CIVIL WAR THROUGH THE WAR'S OPENING YEAR, REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF OREGON TO THE UNION, ...

BRITISH UNION FLAG OF THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY, WITH BRILLIANT AND UNUSUAL, COBALT BLUE COLORATION, AND A SIMPLIFIED, FOLK STYLE, WITH INCORRECT PROPORTIONS IN THE CROSSES OF ST. ANDRE...

This is a beautiful 13-star American flag, each star sewn with zig-zag stitching. The wool flag was sewn at the turn of the century, circa 1900. The flag features 13 white stars rest...

48 STAR, U.S. NAVY SMALL BOAT ENSIGN, MADE AT MARE ISLAND, CALIFORNIA DURING WWII, SIGNED AND DATED 1944, IN THE SMALLEST SCALE EMPLOYED AT THE TIME 48 star American national flag, ...

ABOUT World War 2 Era 48 Star American Flag, in a nice displayable 5 feet x 9 1/2 feet. The flag body is of multi-piece construction, with each stripe a separate piece of fabric. It...

Presented is a George Washington Bicentennial parade flag from 1932. The flag is printed with blue, white, and red stripes, with a prominent bust portrait of George Washington at cen...

Townsend, Col. G. W. Our Martyred President: Memorial Life of William McKinnley.  {together with} The Life of President Roosevelt. New York: Memorial Publishing Company, 1901. S...

Vintage French bust sculpture of a woman Marianne has been the national personification of the French Republic since the French Revolution, as a personification of liberty, equality, fraternity and reason, and a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty...

ENGLISH PORCELAIN SUFFRAGETTE PLATE WITH "DEEDS, NOT WORDS" AND "VOTES FOR WOMEN" SLOGANS, ONE-OF-A-KIND AMONG KNOWN EXAMPLES, CA 1905-1918 English porcelain plate, made for the Women's Suffrage movement in the U.K. One-of-a-kind among presently known examples, this wonderful Arts & Crafts design features a green, frog-like pattern around the border, surrounding violet and green or daisies, on a polka dot green background. Interspersed between the flowers are the words "Votes for Women" and, in Latin, the phrase "Facta non Verba...

48 STARS CANTED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT IN DANCING ROWS, A RARE VARIETY OF ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG IN A LARGE SCALE, 1912-1918 OR PERHAPS EARLIER, REFLECTS ARIZONA & NEW MEXICO ST...

Nicely faded American flag quilt. Excellent hand stitched dancing Folk Art stars. Skilled quilting, a nice graphic large-scale wall hanging. White ...

OHIO STATE FLAG WITH CIVIL WAR VETERANS' OVERPRINT FROM THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC POST IN COLUMBUS, MADE IN MOURNING OF THE 1925 PASSING OF NATIONAL G.A.R. COMMANDER IN CHIEF DANIEL M. HALL, WHO ALSO SERVED AS COMMANDER OF THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF THE G.A.R., AS WELL AS THE LOCAL CHAPTER Flag of the State of Ohio, printed on oilcloth-like cotton, affixed to its original wooden staff. Made for Civil War veteran's use, the flag bears a stamped overprint in the striped field that consists of an open wreath of laurel branches, inside which is the following text: “GAR [Grand Army of the Republic] Post, Dan Hall, Columbus, OH”. Born on October 20th, 1842, Daniel M. Hall enlisted with the Union Army as a Private at the age of 18 on August 25th, 1861. On October 8th of that year he mustered into the Co. H of the 2nd Ohio Cavalry. Discharged for disability on June 28th, 1862, he reenlisted approximately 17 months later, on November 11th, 1863, and mustered into Co. F of the 12th Ohio Cavalry at Camp Cleveland. He was at some point promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and, on February 21st, 1864, to the rank of Corporal. He mustered out at Nashville on November 14th, 1865. Hall mustered into the Hamlin Post of the Ohio G.A.R. on May 23rd, 1883. He would go on to serve not only as Commander of the Dept. of Ohio for the organization, but as National Commander of the entire Grand Army of the Republic. The Grand Army of the Republic was the primary veterans association for Union Civil War soldiers. Founded in 1866, its members dressed up in Civil War uniforms, attended parades and reunions, and the organization was somewhat more fraternal in nature than today’s VFW or American Foreign Legion. Flags overprinted for the purpose of advertising are a specialized form in American flag collecting. A flag with a basic G.A.R. overprint is the most common type. This might be accompanied by a post number and a date. More elaborate the overprints are more highly desired, such as this one, which is the only variation I know of that honors a particular person who was not the namesake of the chapter itself. It is of interest to note that a sister variety of 48 star parade flag is known, printed on the same fabric, that bears the same overprint, accompanied by the words: “We Mourn Our Comrade." From the additional text on the 48 star variety, one can extrapolate that the flags were made to mourn the passing of this important leader of Civil War veterans on October 19th, 1925, just one day before his 83rd birthday. The State Flag of Ohio was designed in 1901 by Cleveland architect John Eisenmann, who designed the Ohio building for the state's exhibition at the Pan American Exposition World's Fair in Buffalo, New York. It was officially adopted by the Ohio legislature on May 19th, 1902. It's elements are centered on a red disc, set against a circular white ground that forms a letter "O." This simultaneously represents a buckeye, the fruit of the state tree and an iconic Ohio symbol. The flag's 5 stripes are said to represent the state's waterways and roads, while the triangular shape of the union is said to illustrate hills and valleys. The presentation of 13 stars along the hoist end, arranged in a semi-circular medallion with two off-set stars above and below, reflects the original 13 colonies. The diamond of stars, towards the fly end. bring the overall count to 17 to reflect Ohio's admission. When the design was adopted by the state legislature, the position of these stars was changed slightly, moving them further around the circle to form a wreath. Flag expert Whitney Smith, who coined the term Vexillology in the late 1950's (the accepted term for the study of flags), pointed out that the format of the flag itself was reminiscent of Civil War cavalry guidons, carried by Ohio regiments throughout the state. These were of swallowtail form, though with 13 stripes, all horizontal and 90 degrees to the hoist. Most often these had circular star patterns around an open center, which makes them even more similar to the Ohio flag...

Vintage Italian flag. Vintage Italian flag made by Serpone & Co. Napoli. Italy, Mid-20th Century. Approximate dimensions: 38” H X 60” W

Presented is a vintage Chicago wooden ballot box dating to the early 1920s, an exceptional artifact of American civic life in the years immediately following the First World War. The...

A delightful pair of 1928 campaign pitchers made for the Hoover–Smith presidential contest. Each pitcher is molded as a caricatured portrait: Herbert Hoover is rendered with a dramat...

British Royal Coat of Arms Wall Plaque This is a Large scale piece, it dates from the 1950s and is made in plaster and it is painted in very bright colours, The plaque has metal fi...

Presented is a finely executed vintage silk printed handkerchief featuring the music and lyrics of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” a beautiful example of American patriotic ephemera rend...

PORTRAIT STYLE KERCHIEF FROM THE 1952 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF REPUBLICAN IKE EISENHOWER, FORMER SUPREME COMMANDER OF ALLIED FORCES IN EUROPE DURING WWII (NATO) Printed cotton kerch...

NATIVE AMERICAN BEADED WATCH FOB WITH A STYLIZED FEDERAL EAGLE & SHIELD AND CROSSED AMERICAN FLAGS, circa 1915-1920’s Native American beaded pocket w...

A playful yet strong early 20th century Scottish bagpiper's bonnet with a woven wool checkerboard headband and decorated with a large black ostrich feather plume and a white feather hackle, mounted on a turned wood stand.

48 STARS ON ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH HAND-WRITTEN INSCRIPTIONS AND AN EMBROIDERED DATE OF APRIL 12TH, 1945, MOURNING THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT: American national parade flag with 48 stars, printed on cotton, embellished with hand-written inscriptions and an embroidered date to commemorate the death of FDR on April 12th, 1945. “On this day in 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a massive cerebral hemorrhage at his Warm Springs, Georgia, retreat at the age of 63. Roosevelt’s death in the final months of World War II was met with shock and grief throughout the Western world. Many Americans had no inkling of his decline in health. [He] had been president for more than 12 years, longer than any other person. He led the country through some of its greatest domestic and foreign crises to the impending defeat of Nazi Germany and within sight of Japan’s surrender...

48 crocheted stars on a very graphic, three-dimensional flag made from silk ribbon and crocheted rings, WWI Era (U.S. involvement 1917-18) Homemade, ha...

"EQUAL SUFFRAGE FOR MICHIGAN IN 1916," ADVERTISING FAN FOR THE BISSELL 'CYCO BALL BEARING CARPET SWEEPER,' COMMISSIONED BY ANNA BISSELL (1846-1934), AMERICA'S FIRST FEMALE CEO Oriental-made, twill-woven silk fan with gilt lettering that reads : "Bissell's 'Cyco Ball Bearing Carpet Sweeper' makes sweeping easy," set within an interesting, open, geometric design. A purposefully curved, paper label beneath was applied by the "Michigan Equal Suffrage Association, Kalamazoo, 405 So. Burdick St.," whose byline is along the bottom. On it, a terrific message reads: "OVER 100,000 WOMEN pay taxes in Michigan on property assessed at $177,596,938. In 1910 OVER 175,000 MICHIGAN WOMEN signed a petition sent to Congress asking for Equal Suffrage. 247,373 MICHIGAN MEN voted...

EARLY KERCHIEF IN THE FORM OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE BEAR FLAG, PROBABLY MADE FOR THE PANAMA-PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION IN SAN FRANCISCO IN 1915 Printed on silk, this beautiful kerchief is styled in the format of the California State flag. Extremely rare, this is an unusual object and I am unaware of any other state flags that were produced in this manner. The most likely date is somewhere between roughly 1911 and 1920, though it could date slightly thereafter. The construction of this particular style of kerchief, with a border that is separated from the body by a fine line that is absent of horizontal threads, first appears in political campaign material in the 1888 election year. Various examples have been identified between that date and 1913, when a version was produced to celebrate the inauguration of Woodrow Wilson. None seem to have been made for the 1916 election, though other types appear with patriotic images during WWI (U.S. involvement 1917-18). Early state flags fall between very scarce and extraordinarily rare in the antiques marketplace. One primary reason for this is that most states, even if they existed during the 18th or 19th century, didn’t actually adopt flags until the early 20th century. The Maryland State Legislature, for example, didn’t find need for a state banner until 1904, in spite of the fact that Maryland was one of the original 13 colonies. Other states had crests or symbols that were tied to the state legislature in some way, or to local patriotism, but didn't accept an official design until many years following statehood. In the case of California, the "Bear Flag," as all California state flags and variations thereof are often called, is based on a significant early example. The eldest surviving Bear Flag is thought to date to the 1846 “Bear Flag Revolt”. This occurred when Major John Frémont arrived in the state on a so-called mission to reach the Pacific and encouraged an uprising against Mexican rule in the territory. Frémont claimed himself military governor of the California Republic and was brought up on charges of treason for his actions, but was pardoned by President James Polk. Polk was an expansionist and Frémont’s actions brought California to statehood in 1850, immediately following the 1849 Gold Rush. The original Bear Flag was designed and made by William L. Todd, a first cousin to Abraham Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd. Painted on cotton, it had a white field with a red stripe along the bottom, just like the modern design. The star image was taken from what was known as the “California Lone Star Flag”, flown during California's previous, 1836 revolt. Like the modern California flag, the red star appeared the upper hoist-end corner, but the bear was placed next to the star. On a later version, designed by a man named Peter Storm...

This Great framed Folk Art sham with 48star flag and ship ribbons is a great patriotic item. The top left corner as well as the bottom right corner are scraps of a 48 star linen flag and in between them are ribbons of ships names that are sewn together in a collage. The American ships span three centuries of ships ribbons, from late 19th century to present day ships. As well as the "USS Utah" which was sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor. This great and proud sham is not only a great American item but is a Symbol of hope and unity throughout the ages. Serves better as a hanging Folk Art...

AL Malaikah vintage Masonic Shriner iconic burgundy wool Fez hat with original box. Al Malaikah, legion of Honor vintage fez hat from the Los Angeles ...

An interesting and unique mid century portrait of Abraham Lincoln executed in a a variety of inlaid woods on a wooden board. The origin of the work is not known but the portrait is ...

Antique Historic World War I Era Rare Three Star Service Flag, circa 1917, a linen flag having three blue stars hand-stitched onto a white canton on a red field. A World War I flag h...

Wall Hanging Victorian Cast Iron Royal Coat of Arms Shield Plaque This is a charming Wall Plaque it is a heavy piece, it was originally wall hung probably on a column as it has a v...

POWER SQUADRONS ENSIGN, MADE BY ANNIN IN NEW YORK CITY or NEW JERSEY, circa 1914-WWII ERA The Power Squadron of the Boston Yacht Club was formed in 1914. It was the first organizati...

The Second World War by Winston Churchill from Houghton-Mifflin Company, Boston. A vintage edition of Winston Churchill's six-volume memoir, The Second World War, for which he was a...

"ROOSEVELT & GARNER", AN EMBROIDERED ARMBAND SUPPORTING THE 1932 DEMOCRAT PRESIDENTIAL TICKET AND THE REPEAL OF PROHIBITION Made for the 1932 Democratic presidential Campaign ticke...

Up for sale is a very rare original Obsolete antique U.S. Treasury Department Custodian Service Marshall 6 point star badge dating from the late 1920's to early 1930's This is a proh...

ABOUT World War 2 Era 48 Star American Flag, in a nice displayable 5 feet x 9 1/2 feet. The flag body is of multi-piece construction, with each stripe a separate piece of fabric. It...

ABOUT An authentic, vintage 48-Star United States National Ensign flag. An ensign is a specific category of national flag flown exclusively on ships, boats, and other maritime vessel...

ABOUT World War 2 era American flag with 48 stars. The flag body is of multi-piece construction, with each stripe a separate piece of fabric. Cotton or linen bunting, with a heavy c...

Hand-painted and carved neastled dolls of Alexandra and Nicholas II and their four daughters, the Grand Duchess Olga in 1895, the Grand Duchess Tati...

Willy Mays San Francisco stadium souvenir with fabric attached.

AL Malaikah vintage Masonic Shriner iconic burgundy wool Fez hat. Al Malaikah, legion of Honor vintage fez hat from the Los Angeles Al Malaikah Shrine...

Pair of cast iron George Washington Andirons: Measures: 9" x 20" x 16" Weighs: 30 LBS.

Presented is a stunning textile banner from the first World War, dating to 1918. The square tan cotton cloth is embroidered with two crossed flags, the ...

A rather odd hand painted political black leather Gladstone holdall, believed to be a graduate college bag. American in origins, second quarter of the 20th century in age 3...

Presented is an early signed photograph of George H. W. Bush, taken when he was Congressman. Bush served in the House of Representatives from 1967-1971, having been elected in 1966 a...

A rare French Military Academy Officer's hat or cap from the 1970s. These special and unique hats are part of the uniform of students studying to become officers in the French Milita...

This WW2 patriotic 'Victory Bonds' poster shows no printers signature, but the original image was done by Bruce Stapleton for the Canadian war effort in app...

King Edward VII coronation, June 1902 framed scarf / flag. This scarf is an original antique piece of British history and patriotic memorabilia. ...

Presented is a patriotic printed paddle fan, with an image of a Navy sailor. The sailor is depicted on the back of a large boat, standing in front of a large, waving American flag. I...

This fabulous 48 star Patriotic quilt has the embroidered title "Stars and Stripes Forever." The stripes of the flag are created in an unusual way. Rather than using horizontal stri...

Nothing could be more of the moment than this patriotic flag quilt depicting Old Glory. It was most likely made either for the admission of Arizona into st...

The Generale pendant by Enrico Baj is a rare and compelling example of the artist’s work translated into a wearable object. Produced in a limited and signed edition, the pendant belo...

Intact helmet from Auxiliary Police Force measurements are approximate- contact dealer for specifics

Professionally handcrafted coat of arms from the officers' mess of the Ramstein military base - 7232nd Munitions Maintenance Group, a former U.S. Air Force unit responsible for ammun...

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS PENNANT FROM PARRIS ISLAND, circa WWI (U.S. INVOLVEMENT 1917-18) -1930’s Faded, red, felt, United States Marine Corps pennant with a variant of the central device of its official seal printed in blue, yellow, gold, tan, and white pigments, and “Parris Island S.C.” in white beyond, slightly arched, extending toward the tapered point. Note the whimsical profile of the letter “c,” with an exaggerated, scrolling tail. The device generally consists of a federal eagle perched upon a globe, superimposed on a canted anchor with a whirling chain, the combination of which is to symbolize the Corps’ watchful, worldwide, maritime presence. In this instance the image was modified to fit the elongated profile of a pennant’s basic design, with the anchor rotated slightly clockwise to the horizontal, an adaptation sometimes encountered in both Marine Corps and U.S. Navy examples. The colors used to represent the Marine Corps changed over time. The present combination of scarlet red and gold, predominant here, were formally adopted in 1925, but American military traditions tend to be as hard to extinguish as the men and women of their ranks, and the Corps was certainly no exception. 14 years would pass before the official change caught up with the Marine Corps’ flag...

Rare original vintage South Korean / Korean War era flag, circa 1950's. White cotton with screen printed design. Dimensions: 48" x 34" (Length x Width)

Original Pottery sculpture head planter, general Charles De Gaulle Political Memorabilia. This original, one-of-a-kind pottery sculpture head is a...