December 14-17, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2021
Circa 1936-1941 pre-World War II German American Bund flag. These flags are quite rare, as the German American Bund, also known as the German American Federation, was established in 1936 and quickly dissolved 5 years later in 1941 due to America's entrance into World War II. The Bund mirrored Germany during the reign of the Third Reich by holding rallies with Nazi insignia and adopting procedures such as the Hitler salute, while also attacking the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt as well as Jewish-American groups citizens. Interestingly, the party also claimed to show its loyalty to the United States by displaying the American flag alongside the flag of Nazi Germany. After the United States was thrust into World War II the members of the German American Bund were ostracized and much of the symbolism they adopted was destroyed. Therefore, the American Nazi flags of this short period are seldom encountered. This example was manufactured by an American flag company and retains its original label that reads "THE NAME / ANNIN / GUARANTEES / QUALITY" and "STERLING / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. / FAST COLOR-DOUBLE / WARP ALL WOOL BUNTING". The flag is also faintly stamped "5 x 8" on the hoist and also displays the name "MERCHAN" written in ink. Despite the measurement stamp the flag registers just under 8' in length. The flag is constructed of wool bunting and has 1 brass grommet at each end of the hoist. The white circle and swastika are sewn to the flag, rather than printed on. CONDITION: The flag exhibits various holes in the wool bunting, the largest measuring approximately 4". The flag is clean overall and the stitching remains tight. Overall good. JLD
Item Dimensions: 12" X 10"