Summer 2023 Militaria & Collectibles Auction
Lot 223:
Original early 20th century hand painted flag, measuring approximately 18 inches by 26 inches. Good condition with some soiling. This was from the former Wanamaker Flag Collection. Lewis Rodman Wanamaker was the son of John Wanamaker, the owner of the famed department store in Philadelphia bearing the same name. The Wanamakers wanted their Grand Depot of a store to be a world destination for its customers, and used historic and artistic flags to achieve this goal. From 1903 until the early 1920s, Rodman Wanamaker commissioned various quality flag makers in London, Paris, and Philadelphia to recreate high quality flags from history that were otherwise unobtainable. Genres included Medieval and Royal flags, 14th century national flags, British and French Military themed pieces, and more. Although considered period reproductions at the time, these very early 20th century pieces were made of fine silk, adorned with oil paints, and sometimes finished in gold leaf. Now, being works of art over 100 years old, they are collectible in their own right. When Rodman Wanamaker died in 1928, the flag collection was committed to storage until 1988 when many were obtained by the Flag Heritage Foundation, and only recently deaccessioned.
Condition: See Description.
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