Frame Size (H x W): 46” x 32”
Service Flag Size (H x W): 35” x 21”

Offered is a United States service flag.  In the United State, a service flag is an official banner that the family of a service member displays or that the community displays.  Service flags were first displayed during World War I and have been displayed in every war since.  This service flag was found with an old note, indicating that it dated to 1918.  Its materials and construction are consistent with this era.

Service flags have a white field with a red border, and a blue star for each person serving for the United States during any period of war.  Sadly, when a person is injured, a blue star may be covered with a red star, or in the case of death, with a gold star. 

The upper portion of this service flag includes a white field and “RUSSELLVILLE” hand-cut and handsewn thereto.  We purchased it out of Tennessee, and thus Russellville is almost certainly a reference to Russellville, Tennessee.  Russellville is in Hamblen County, Tennessee and is located close to the eastern most point of the state.  It has a population of approximately 4000 people.     

The lower portion of this service flag includes a red border surrounding a rectangular white field, just like a standard service flag.  The rectangular white field includes 50 blue stars that are hand-cut and handsewn thereto.  Each blue star represents a specific Russellville solder, who fought in World War I.

Conservation Process: This service flag was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board.  To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the service flag, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash.  The service flag is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: This offering is in our Large Reclaimed Wood Frame. 

Condition: This service flag is in excellent condition.

Collectability Level: The Great – Perfect for Rising Collectors
Date of Origin: 1918