The flags that were auctioned off ranged from an English Red Ensign, flown on the USS Constitution, to an Imperial Brazilian Ensign. Also included in the exquisite collection was a rare 13 star, 11 color United States Ensign.

This collection was even featured in the New York Times, with further information on Mr. Dietrich and his collection of Americana. That article can be found here.

The Freeman’s Auctioneer and Appraisers archived information site which contains a beautiful catalog describing the items as well as detailed information about each flag can be found here.

The following are a few of the flags that were including in Mr. Dietrich’s collection:

 English Naval Red Ensign

 Imperial Brazilian Ensign

 28- Star United States Ensign

Also featured on the Freeman’s Auction site are video’s that document the collection, and further details, and rich facts on the flags, including the value and purchase price of the flags. You can locate that site here.

Pictures and information from the Freeman’s Archive site: http://www.freemansauction.com/asp/searchresults.asp?pg=1&ps=25

The War of 1812 began in June of 1812, when the United States declared war on Great Britain. This marked the first time that the United States declared war on another sovereign state. The war was a result of the lingering tensions from the American Revolutionary war and the first conflict would take place before on Lake Ontario between the two countries navies. Shortly thereafter, in July of 1812, the Unites States would invade the Great Britain held Canada, and the British would respond by capturing Fort Mackinac. Yet, the United States Navy, while numbering less than 5,000 members, would manage to escape from the British squadron and would capture the sloop Alert and the Guerriere in August of 1812. Further Naval skirmishes, and blockades occurred through the rest of 1812, but January of 1813 brought the death filled battle of Frenchtown which resulted in the massacre of all of the American survivors. This marked the turn in the war, and in March 1813 the United States began building a fleet on Lake Erie. In April and May the American’s would take Alabama, Florida, Fort York, Fort George and would repel the British from Sackets Harbor. As the war continued into 1814 and 1815, the American’s continued to repulse all of the British invasions until the Treaty of Ghent was signed, and then ratified on February 18,1815.

The importance of the war of 1812 lies not in the territory that was fought over, as neither side lost any territory in the war, but in the fact that the war would change the face of the United States Navy, it would change the relationship between Britain and the United States for the better, and it would begin to show the world that the United States of America was growing into a force to be reckoned with.

As the Star Spangled Banner flew proudly over all of the battles in the War of 1812, so it continues to fly proudly today, 200 years after the start of the war. As the country remembers the battles fought and the lives lost over the course of the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812, the flag that was there for the original battles, will be there for the reenactments, the memorials and the celebrations. It is important to remember throughout this bicentennial that our nation which stood united then, needs to stand united now in the face of a new era of war and an ever changing world economy. The Star Spangled Banner, and the historical versions are available on our website for you to show your pride, and to help you remember the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

There are also events across multiple states that include symposiums, special exhibits and reenactments. A full list of events can be found at http://www.visit1812.com/events/.

Information and historical facts from: http://ourflagwasstillthere.org/the-war-of-1812/2011-12-06-17-10-16.html and http://ourflagwasstillthere.org/the-war-of-1812.html

Veteran’s Day is a national holiday in the United States, dedicated to honoring the over twenty four million military veterans of the United States. November 11th is commemorated with parades, special lessons in classrooms and memorial services. Flags such as those of Remembrance, Honor, those representing military branches and the United States flag are appropriate for this occasion.

Regardless of how you choose to pay tribute to those individuals who have kept our country proud and free, please take a moment to stop and remember those who sacrificed for us all.

Photo taken from the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Day Poster Gallery

The Republic of South Sudan became fully independent from Sudan in July of 2011 and the country officially adopted the above flag which was previously used by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. Shortly after South Sudan succeeded from Sudan the United Nations accepted the flag of South Sudan and recognized it as the official flag of the newly formed country.

The flag of Libya has been changed back to the pre-Gaddafi flag of red, black and green with the white crescent and star in the center. With the fall of Muammar Gaddafi the National Transitional Council officially reverted back to the flag of the Kingdom of Libya originally flown from the years 1951–1969. This flag should now replace the solid green flag of the Gaddafi years, as Libya enters a new era as a country.

September 11th, 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. As this day approaches it is important to understand proper flag etiquette that pertains to the upcoming day of remembrance.

Patriot Day, observed on September 11th every year, was officially signed into law on December 18, 2001 as a day to remember and honor those who died in the attacks on our country. As a national holiday, the President is requested to issue a proclamation each year to local and state governments and the citizens of the United States to observe Patriot Day with the appropriate activities.

Additionally all the departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the United States and interested organizations and individuals to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and the people of the United States are also to observe a moment of silence on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.

Please remember to lower your flag to half mast this, and every, September 11th in honor and remembrance of those fellow American’s who lost their lives on that fateful day.

Photo credit and information regarding Patriot’s Day taken from Annin Flags, Roseland, Nj

Regardless of your theory on what happened on September 11th, 2001, everyone can agree that that particular Tuesday irrevocably changed America. As the ten year anniversary of that fateful day approaches there will be many memorial services, remembrance events and reflections on the lives that were lost at the World Trade Center, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon. As these commemorative events take place across the nation, there will be one symbol of strength, unity and national pride that will be present at every ceremony – the flag of the United States of America.

While the United States’s flag has long stood for independence, in the years since September 11th it has come to mean much more. Many will fly their flags with pride on just one day out of the year as a symbol of respect for those who died. However in addition to the United States flag, remembrance and memorial flags for the citizens, who perished, and the fire fighters, police officers and EMT’s who perished are also available for display.

And while flying a flag will not change the past, or bring back the innocent victims of the attacks, it does stand as a sign that we remember their passing with honor, with hope and with courage. Unity and strength have gotten this country through the last ten years, and while the United States flag still flies proudly over this land unity and strength will continue to support our nation through the next ten years.



Flag of Honor containing the names of all 2996 victims of the September 11th, 2001 attacks. Photo credit Rhonda Churchill.

American Flag photo at the beginning credit to The Moral Liberal.

Flags first began as a tool for military procedures, and for visual direction for armies during battle. Since then flags have evolved to be used for a variety of different things from pure decoration to national pride. However the tradition of collecting flags is a fairly recent development in the history of flags that continues to pick up speed.

Recent events in United States history, September 11th, the war in the Middle East, have kept national pride and patriotism at an all time high. Consequently flag collecting, and an interest in old flags, has seen an increased following throughout the United States. This hobby has become a year round event for collectors, and as the interest in old flags has risen, so have the prices.

One recent flag sale, the flag of the Second Continental Light Dragoons of Connecticut, was sold for $12.34 million. This flag was the first to feature the 13 red and white stripes, and still holds the record for  most expensive Revolutionary flag sold.

But why such an interest in flag collecting? And specifically the American Flag? Many collectors agree that the embodiment of the American Spirit, the thrill of owning a piece of history, and the reverence that come with these flags is what keeps them collecting.

Interested in starting your own collection or learning more? Check out these links to some antique flag sellers to see what the excitement is all about!

Antique Flags

Historic American Flags

Image credit goes to jeffbridgman.com

Antique flag information goes to Karla Klein Albertson, and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Fourth of July is quickly approaching and in light of this important flag flying holiday it is important to look back on the history of our nations flag and its significance.

The Stars and Stripes first originated with the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress at Philadelphia on June 14, 1777, when they decided that the “flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.”

However their decision did not dictate how many points the stars should have or how the stars should be arranged on the blue union. This meant that some flags had stars scattered on the blue field without any design, some arranged the stars in rows, and some in a circle. The first Navy national flag had the stars arranged in staggered formation in alternate rows of threes and twos on a blue field. Other flags had stars arranged in alternate rows of four, five and four. And while no one is completely sure of who originated the final design for the stars on the flag, evidence indicates that Francis Hopkinson of New Jersey was responsible for the stars in the U.S. flag. Hopkinson also helped design other devices for the Government including the Great Seal of the United States.

Betsy Ross famously sewed the first official government version of the United States flag, its appearance has altered over the years due to the addition of more states. Currently the flag has 13 horizontal stripes — 7 red and 6 white — with the red and white stripes alternating and a union which consists of white stars of 5 points on a blue field placed in the upper quarter next to the staff and extending to the lower edge of the fourth red stripe from the top. The proportions of the flag were enacted by an Executive Order of President Eisenhower on August 21, 1959, and are as follows:

Hoist (width) of flag………………1.0
Fly (length) of flag…………………1.9
Hoist (width) of union……………0.5385
Fly (length) of union………………0.76
Width of each stripe……………..0.0769
Diameter of each star…………..0.0616

When flying the United States flag it is important to always remember the proper etiquette — especially on a holiday! So while you celebrate the holiday with your friends and family, keep in mind the history of our flag and our country.

Information taken from: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/misc/ourflag/titlepage.htm

New Year’s Day                                                                              January 1st

Martin Luther King Day                                           (observed) January 17th

Lincoln’s Birthday                                                                          February 12th

President’s Day (third Monday in February)        (observed) February 21st

Easter Sunday (variable)                                                              April 21st

Mother’s Day (second Sunday in May)                                      May 8th

Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May)                             May 21st

Memorial Day (half staff till noon)                          (observed) May 30th

Flag Day                                                                                          June 13th

Father’s Day (third Sunday in June)                                          June 19th

Independence Day                                                                        July 4th

Labor Day (first Monday in September)                                   September 5th

Patriot Day (half staff)                                                                 September 11th

Constitution Day                                                                           September 17th

Columbus Day (second Monday in October)        (observed) October 10th

Navy Day                                                                                       October 27th

Veterans Day                                                                                November 11th

Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)               November 24th

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day                                              December 7th

Christmas Day                                                                              December 25th

Please remember to observe these special flag flying days with your own United States Flag!

List taken from Annin Flagmakers Catalog.