A Very Large Vintage Union Jack Flag

Origin: British
Period: Mid-Twentieth Century
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1950
Length: 70 inches
Width: 34 inches

Stitched in a heavy cloth, this Union Jack is a well-made piece of patriotism, in generally fine condition, but with a gentle aged look, which is nothing but desirable. There is a hooped hem to allow the flag to bear a staff or pole.

The current design of the flag dates from the union of Ireland and Great Britain in 1801. When the first flag was introduced in 1606, it became known simply as "the British flag" or "the flag of Britain". The word "jack" was in use before 1600 to describe the maritime bow flag. One theory goes that for some years it would have been called just "the Jack", or "Jack flag", or "the King's Jack", but by 1674, while formally referred to as "His Majesty's Jack", it was commonly called the Union Jack, and this was officially acknowledged.

This is a particularly large vintage example and one you feel silently whispering its own rich history and that of the kingdom it represents, each time it is caught by a gust of wind.

N.B. This is one of a pair, the other was sold recently to a chap in France.