76 AD - Calibration Date for 76∞ Infinitum

Flag day 2020 brings into focus a flag dedicated to 76'∞ Infinitum.  This flag is the pre-septa' millennial flag for the year 76AD.  It is based upon the fusion of the 1776 American Betsy Ross flag, modern flag of Rome and ancient standards from the Roman Empire in the year 76.

The flag has stripes of golden yellow and red; the yellow stripes dominant.  In the canton is the Roman SPQR in an olive wreath.  SPQR means Senatus Populusque Romanus, which can be translated as: The Senate and People's Quorum of Rome.

Today, a quorum is the minimum number of persons needed for an assembly in order to conduct business.    Above the olive wreath is the Roman Eagle with cloud of 13 stars taken from the American Coat of Arms.  Thus this flag represents that the Dream of America is a timeless construct that was sleeping in the heart of Rome on June 14, 76.

Who knows what further dreams of the future will exist in the collective consciousness of 2176 or in the year 7676.  Will they remember the way and means of 1976 let alone 1076?  Will political correct language change so much that reading books from 2020 be banned, by the police or firehumans? Perhaps new political ideals will rise to surface that are hidden subliminally within our collective unconscious?

Although democracy is not an American invention, the seeds of modern America are partially derived from Ancient Rome.  Democracy as a governing body of persons is a timeless tradition practiced by all civilizations at one time or another in varying degrees.  However with the United States, the dedication to a democratic ideal rose to the surface as an honored and nearly sacred trust, that is to be maintained and protected.

The year 76 would have been a strange yet familiar world.  In the year 76, the second Pope, Pope Linus I passed away.  Linus was followed by Bronze Pope of Rome, Pope Anacletus I.    On the other side of the world the Jianchu Dynasty began.  In the Americas, the nations were in a dreamlike state of consciousness.  The triumphs and failures of the names of kings, queens, and country folk flowed in and out of consciousness, the details of 10,000 beautiful stories of struggle and glory were lost, until words were written.

Yet in another way, they were more awake to natural and primal forces of Nature.  Although the ancients of America could not read minds from the past, as we do today, they were better suited to read the unwritten word of Mother Nature and Father Sky.  Today, much of the modern mind is trapped in the overly precise and short sighted domain of words and symbolism.  Much has been forgotten on the way with the languages of  the Wind, Animals, Rocks, Earth and Heavens.

Nonetheless, this flag is dedicated to the spirits of 76'∞. 

NAVA 54 Vexibit—Startis Andredis: Septinsular Republic Flag

Startis Andredis presented a flag about the short lived Septinsular Republic that was trapped in the twilight zone between Russian and Ottoman Empires, in the after glow of revolutionary ambition stoked by Napoleon the Corsican.  The majority of the population was Greek, so in a manner of speaking it was the first precursor state to modern nation of Greece.

The flag looked much somewhat like the Republic of Venice.  After Napoleon's defeat this 'nation' became an autonomous zone from 1807 to 1815.  The British adopted these isles in 1815 and held sway until they proceeded to join Greece in 1864.

Andredis also showed us the Naval flag of the Septinsular Republic, which only had one ship.  The Naval Septinsular Republic flag had framing of yellow with an canton of St. Mark's lion on red within a blue field.

NAVA 54 Vexibit—Grant Owens: Vexillological Association of Kansas City

Grant Owens presented the flag and details about a relatively new vexillological association in Kansas City, Missouri—the Vexillological Association of Kansas City. The Flag has the standard V shape and uses the colours cyan, navy blue and white.

Links to the Group as as follows:
WEBSITE: https://vexikc.wordpress.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/VexillologicalAssociationofKansasCity/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/vexikc
INSTAGRAM: @vexick

NAVA 54 Vexibit—Al Calavari: Annin & Co Postcard Recall Notice from 1917

Al Calavari showed us an artifact from 1917 as the United States entered WWI.  During such times the demand for US flags can increase.  Consequently Annin & Co. sent out a post card notice that older price quotes are hereby changed, due to 'unprecedented demand for U.S. flags.'

Often in times of crisis and before the start of new war there is collective patriotic push organically signaled by an durastic demand for US flags.

NAVA 54 Vexibit—Greg Hersh: A New Flag for Kodiak Island Proposal

Greg Hersh presented a vexibit for one of America's largest islands, Kodiak Island.  Currently, the city of Kodiak on Kodiak island has the typical rank and file seal on a field flag (RAFSOAF Flag).  Kodiak City's flag features four creatures: a bear, salmon, king crab, and prawn.

Hersh proposed a Kodiak Flag redesign in the 'Good Flag' style.  It is composed of a field of blue and black divided by a thin diagonal bend, from the lower hoist to upper fly.  In the middle is an eight pointed rose compass of green with white fimbration, with the cardinal points larger than the middle points.


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As stated in the opening speech by the current ICV president Zeljko Heimer, this is not vexillology.  Specifically, creating and designing flags is not vexillology.  But talking and writing about a newly designed flag flag is vexillology.  Likewise, the countless flag designs that become are not vexillology, until another person describes the flag: as within the descriptive-data collection field of vexillology.  It is a weird corner that the founder of vexillology has painted himself into and other would be vexillologists.

Further, Whitney Smith's fame as the founder of vexillology is critically dependent upon himself designing one particular flag... for Guyana.  Smith owes much of his gravitas and fame for not doing vexillology.  Ironically, the world remembers Whitney Smith best, for his non-vexilological work, which he himself does not consider to merit the inclusion within the definition of vexillology.

Smith's key footnote to world civilization is (from his perspective) as an artists, than as an academic.  The quandry for Smith is that he will always be best remembered as a vexillologist for a "non-vexillological achievement" as the primary flag designer for the nation of Guyana.  It seems quite illogical that excluding the creation of flags as a non-vexillological exercise.  Yet, Smith was able to recognize his own imperfections, he once stated it might have been a better idea to spelled this discipline as vexology or vexilology instead of vexillology.  Unto this day, vexillology catches flack from spell checks across the internet, as it is yet to be considered a real world by the matrix of machine mind, maybe a change in the spelling and definition of vexillology is in order?    

 

NAVA 54 Vexibit—Ted Kaye: A Rajneesh Flag from Oregon

Ted Kaye was personally given a flag from the Rajneeshi community of Oregon.  It has the iconic emblem of the red and white dive above a transitioning sun.  The background field is similar to the flag of Poland, but the red area is larger.

If you didn't know the Rajneesh community made headlines in 1981 to 1988 as an alternative and somewhat controversial experimental utopian community, that was derived from the culture of India.  The local US government had several issues with this American community tilted towards an India spiritual path, yet blended with new age ideals.  Unlike the tragedy of Waco, Texas with the Branch Davidians, bloodshed was averted.

The topic was of particular interest to Kaye, since the organization lived within his home state of Oregon.  Kaye is the primary author of Good Flag, Bad Flag.

He also expanded upon the wording of Bad Flag.  Bad Flag refers to 'Bad Flag Design' rather than a flag being bad or evil.  Thus Good Flag refers to good flag design, which is a flag that is recognizable and easy to determine from great distances.

NAVA 54, Vexitbit—Alex Gilkey: A New Kenyon Flag

Alex Gilkey presented a smooth version of the Kenyon College flag.  Kenyon College is a private Episcopal college located in Gambier, Ohio which is in the heart of Ohio near Columbus.  Gilkey proposed a streamlined armorial banner as a new flag for Kenyon College.   Currently, a blue flag with a white letter K represents the college in addition to a gold fringed flag with the coat of arms.

The shield was adopted in 1937 with the motto 'Valiantly Bear the Cross.'  There is an open book to represent learning.  Behind the book is a Bishop's staff.  The lower pattern represents Lord Kenyon's family coat of arms.   Also the crosses are indicative of Christianity.

Gilkey proposed a flag that is composed of the chevron with three white crosses.   It is a would be armorial banner for the Lord Kenyon. 

NAVA 54 Vexibit—Peter Loeser: A Blue Jay World Series Championship Flag 2015

Pete Loeser gave a delightful presentation about a mysterious Toronto Blue Jays flag.  Apparently in some other quantum universe the Toronto Blue Jays went on to win Baseball's World Series in 2015...not!

Loeser pointed out that flags are often made before the eggs have hatched.  Much like when Truman beat Dewey in 1948 for the US Presidential Election or more recently when Newsweek printed magazines touting that Hillary Clinton had won the 2016 US presidential election.

The Jays lost in the American League Championship to the Kansas City Royals.  Nonetheless, these erroneous flags were made and sold.

Make no mistake that in the future, persons will apply the Mandela Effect to this flag and assume that this flag represents a crossing over point, where in some other Universe the Jays win.

The most famous examples for the Mandela Effect include the spelling of the Bearstain Bears vs Bearstein Bears and whether or not standup comic Sinbad from Michigan was in a movie as the Genie Shazam.

For the record, the Jays lost to the Mets in 2015, and the Mets lost to the fairy tale winners of 2015, the Kansas City Royals.

Loeser's Website: http://www.loeser.us/flags 

#8. A Flag Incident in San Francisco—Jim Ferrigan

Jim Ferrigan replayed his award winning presentation about A Flag Incident in San Francisco in 1984.  Back in 1984 the Confederate flag flew along side several other flags at the San Francisco State House.  Attempts to get it removed peacefully were ignored, so a left leaning socialist group conducted a civil disobedient raid to remove the Confederate flag—which was a kin to the first version of the Confederate Naval Jack.

Many in the public do not realize that the popular Confederate flag is not the official flag of the Confederacy.  The popular Confederate flag is the de facto flag of the Confederacy and is usually associated with official battle flag of the Confederacy.  But this flag mostly closely resembles the second Naval Jack of the Confederacy. 

In 1984 Ritchie Bradly dressed in Northern Civil War attire and proceeded to take down the Confederate flag at the San Francisco State House.  You can see him standing in front of a reproduction of the  'Union Fort Sumter' flag of South Carolina, where the official start of the US Civil War began.

Richard Bradly was a part of a left-wing socialist organization.  His demonstration of active civil disobedience took place with supporters who wished to see the Confederate flag removed from the San Francisco public property and promote a worker's socialist agenda.  One banner reads: 'DOWN WITH THE CONFEDERATE FLAG OF SLAVERY & THE KKK!  LABOR BLACK LEAGUE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE!  Another banner reads: 'FINISH THE CIVIL WAR!  ONWARD TO A WORKERS STATE!'

You can see the flag being torn down by Dick Bradly.  He was later released and the drama continued with a new flag, and several others until it was finally replaced.  The Confederate flag was one of many that represented the heritage of California.

Although the Confederacy never saw any military action or gained traction in California, other nation states were able to make an impact on California that would have made a better replacement like the Russian-American Company due to the colony at Ft. Ross; or the Argentina flag when Hippolyte Bochard occupied Monterey in 1818.  There was also the early US occupation of California in 1842 when Catesby Jones seized Monterey, when the US only had 26 states.

#7. Neḥushtan at Sea: What is Fouling that Anchor?—Bard Cosman

Bard Cosman gave a fascinating paper on the icon of the fouled anchor.  He ascribed it to Biblical origins.  A popular design for flags and in heraldry is a snake on an anchor. Cosman described its connections and symbolism, that can swing between being a rope and being a snake.

Cosman showed us several examples of the snake on the cross or staff, which was known as the Brazen serpent or nehushtan. Although snakes and serpents are associated with evil it is quite ironic that this symbol has also become a symbol of good, almost like a Yin and Yang.

 Below Cosman showed us an illustration of the Anchor and it use as printer's marks as the 'Sacred Anchor' of Christ.

NAVA 54: Presenting NAVA 55:Next Year's Meeting at St. Augustine, again, by Amber Atteberry

Like all NAVA meetings, a presentation for the next NAVA meeting was given.  Amber Atteberry gave an overview of the facility at appropriately named Flagler College.  There is a planned visit to the oldest masonry fort in the United States: the Castle of St. Mark (Castillo de San Marcos).

Flagler college is supreme college of elegance. 

#6. United States Revenue-Marine and Customs Flags: A New Perspective—David B. Martucci

Can you spot the correct 16 striped Cutter flag?

David B. Martucci was the 6th presenter at NAVA 54.  His topic delved into the story of the Marine Revenue Cutter flag, which is now used as an Ensign by the US Coast Guard.  This flag can trace its origins back to when Oliver Wolcott, Jr. was the Secretary of the Treasury. 

This flag received it official prescription on August 1, 1799.  It described this flag with 16 perpendicular stripes of alternate red and white with the Arms of the United States in the canton to be dark blue and on a white field.

Martucci pointed out, since the official description of the flag in 1799 had 16 stripes because there were 16 states in the Union.  Likewise many flags of the USA had 16 stripes as well. 

By the time 1818 rolled around the US had 21 states.  Thus many US flags has 21 stars with 21 stripes.  With too many stripes, the US flag was given its final modern design algorythm by Captain Samuel Reid; it states that the stripes would remain as 13 for history and the canton would add stars as states were included. 

The Revenue Cutter Marine also appeared on the Seal of several government organizations.  From 1874 until 1900 it was on the right side of the US Treasury Department Seal as used on Customs Documents from 1874 to 1900.  Likewise the US Customs Service Seal used it sometime in the 1880s and 1890s.

Note that before income taxes, a lot of cash for the government was raised with this 'Guardian Paramilitary Entry Port Custom's Duty Force'  better known as the Revenue Cutter Service.

Dave Martucci at NAVA 54 Online with Library of Congress - Can you spot the correct 16 striped Cutter flag?

 Later in the day the Revenue Cutter Service flag for the Confederacy was shown during last presentation by Jim Farrigan.  The Confederate Revenue cutter flag had seven stars in the canton and looked remarkably like to flag of France, minus the stars. 

Further details of Martucci's presentation is scheduled to a appear in an up coming issue of Vexillum.  Martucci was the president of  NAVA from 1998-2004. 


 Link to Martucci's Website:
http://www.vexman.net 

#5. The Unwaved Flag in Churches—Benjamin Nickodemus

Benjamin Nickodemus gave a paper on an observation a European immigrant to the United States who experienced culture shock in many of the US Churches he visited.  The shocking element was the placement of the US flag near the holy of holy altars.  Not all churches in the US have flags in the church, but many set it on one of the flanking sides.  Although the US may pride herself on separation of the state and church, many churches are actively pro-inclusive to include symbols of the state in their church.

Nickodemus pointed out that many churches also fly the church flag along side the US flag, which is a white field with a blue canton and red cross.  However, Catholic Churches do not fly the 'protestant' Christian flag, instead they sometimes fly the Vatican flag, which is usually nowhere near the holy of holy altars.

Although the US promotes the separation of Church and State it may seem peculiar to some, that highest symbol of the state would be in a Church.  On the other hand, the use of Christian imagery within the state is ever so present.  Many legislative leaders are sworn in upon the Bible, likewise Christmas is a recognized Federal holiday.  Also note, US federal government does not recognize any Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Shinto or Native American Religious Holiday—only Christian Holidays.  

#4. The American Thin Blue Line Flag: A Controversial Success Story—Scott Mainwaring

The fourth NAVA 54 presentation was given by Scott Mainwaring.  Mainwaring gave the award winning William Driver presentation of NAVA 54 on the topic of the American Thin Blue Line flag.  The known history and over all impact of this flag was providentially timed, due to the current cultural crisis facing America and the Western World, with the issues of police brutality and racial injustice.

Much of the popularity of the Thin Blue Line US Flag can be traced to the efforts of Andrew Jacob.  Jacob created the flag in 2014 and had the marketing know how, to push it to market as a freshman at the University of Michigan.  The original design may have come from a flag patch that was inspired by the US or UK flag patch.

 Another point of inspiration for the Thin Blue Line American flag is its derivation from the original black and blue police flag.  The horizontal tribar of black, blue, and black honors officers that have fallen in the line of duty. Likewise the black and blue flag is the older thin blue line flag that represents all persons in law enforcement, irrespective of nationality.

Mainwaring also showed us that the thin blue line flag was replicated across national borders. To the left, versions of The Thin Blue Line flag for the UK, Canada, are Philippines visible.  


Tje video below was also presented online.  Scott pointed out this is one of the few unofficial flags to have quasi-official backing from the police department.


Dr. Mainwaring's Website
http://scottmainwaring.com

US Library of Congress Librarian - Elizabeth Brown

The computer app that hosted NAVA 54 was generously provided by Library of US Congress librarian Elizabeth Brown.  Brown used the Cisco webex to host NAVA 54.  Brown also gave us a lesson on using the Library of Congress's online features for research.  Note that you don't have to be member of Congress of access the library's vast reservoir of books, images, and other media.

Brown demonstrated how to search the Library of Congress website.  The example she provided was about You're a Grand Old Flag 1906 by George M. Cohan.  It originally was called You're a Grand Old Rag.  However due to peer pressure for reverence of the US flag, Rag was replaced with Flag.

#3. Surprise visit to Dublin: a virtual tour of a flag conservator’s studio—Rachel Phelan

The third scheduled presentation was a virtual tour of Rachel Phelan's conservator's studio in Dublin, Ireland.  Much of her presentation centered on recent Irish immigrants to the United States who participated in the US Civil War.  The Irish participated on both sides of the conflict, but the majority fought for the North.  Many of the Irish-American units had green banners that used popular Irish icons to indicate their Irish heritage.

Phelan gave us a short tour of the conservation studio where historical flags and other items were being restored.  To the left, you can see a Civil War flag presented to the Irish Brigade inducted in New York during the month of November 1862.  Notice the Irish harp, sunburst, and shamrocks.

It reads: Presented by Citizens of New York in the 69th NYV (4th Regiment of the Irish Brigade)   Brigadier Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher. Commanding.  Below in cursive it reads: In grateful appreciation of their gallant and brilliant conduct on the Battle Fields of Virginia Maryland in the War to maintain National Domain and American Union. 

#2. Advancing Vexillogical Philately—Edwin Jackson

Edwin Jackson gave a rich presentation on flags that have appeared on stamps across the world.   Interesting to note is the first adhesive postage stamp to be created was in 1840, and is known as the black penny.  This official government postage sticker was created on May 1, 1840.  It featured the profile of Her Majesty Queen Victoria.  In essence it is one of the most valuable stickers that anyone can hope to add to their sticker collection.

5¢ CSA Stamp

 Edwin Jackson provided a spectacular array of historical stamps and contemporary postal cards used during the US Civil War.  One Confederate Post Card had the a motto "DON'T TREAD ON US"  with a red snake tied up on two early versions of the Confederate Flag.  Underneath it also reads "EVER READY WITH OUR LIVES AND FORTUNES" which is just above the Georgia State Seal in blue.  The lower post card features the second version of the Confederate Flag with what could have become the Confederate Pledge of Allegiance:

  With our front in the field, swearing never to yield

 The rights that we demand, or the deeds that we dare; 

Then the Cross of the South in triumph remain,

To light is to freedom and glory again.

 The Confederacy was able to create stamps of its own.  You can see a cancelled 5¢ 'CONFEDERATE STATES" stamp that features Jefferson Davis.  It was cancelled on November 4, 1862 in South Carolina. 

 Jackson showed us a stamp from El Salvador that matched with the pattern of the US flag but with inverted colours. 

It really is too bad that El Salvador did not keep its original design flag from 1865.  It would make it unique among her neighboring flags of Honduras and Nicaragua, which looks way too similar. 

 Jackson showed to us the first stamp to ever feature a flag.  It was with Costa Rica with the Porte ½ Real in 1863.  However it is nearly impossible to make out the flags.

Finally, the first US stamp to feature a flag from the USA was make in 1869 with US stamp # 121.  Although it was not colour prefect, it was for 30¢.  This was when the Union had 37 states, when Nebraska was the Baby in 1867.  The 38th state would be Colorado which was still a territory. 

#1. Flags and State Iconography of Hashemite Iraq, 1921 to 1958—John Andrews

The first presenter for NAVA 54 Online was John Andrews.  Andrews, gave nn informative presentation on the flags that have flown over Iraq.  In the slide above Andrews traced the origins of many of the Middle Eastern Arabic to flags that flew at the earlier part of the 1900s.  These first colours of the Arab Revolt against the Turks would provide 'a representational framework.'  Although many of these clubs were short lived, their impact would continue unto today in 2020.   When the Otttomans 'cracked down on these Arab clubs' they 'gained reputations for subversive inclinations.'

Andrews also gave a stellar performance under the 'fire' of technical difficulties, maintaining composure and train of thought. 

NAVA 54 - June 13, 2020 Cyberspace

On Saturday June 13, 2020 NAVA held its first Cyberspace meeting, due to he Corona Virus outbreak of 2020.  Since NAVA 54 took place in Cyberspace it also happened on Sunday June 14, due to the overlap of Time Zones.  We had participants across the world participate from from Japan and Ireland.  NAVA 54 was supposed to take place in St. Augustine, Florida.  Although the meeting did not have an official place of designation, it was set to Eastern Standard Time (GMT -4:00).  Since Ansoff is the president and it makes sense to view his locality as the designated geographic space for NAVA 54.  Thus in manner of speaking, NAVA 54 took place in cyberspace, the anchor point for NAVA 54 in space and time was at Annadale, Virginia.

Any meeting in cyberspace can take place in two days of the calendar, so be that someone attending is across the dateline.  Further, if someone is attending a meeting in cyberspace from Kiribati then it is possible that three calendar days expand as the official meeting date.  However it must take place between the hours when today, tomorrow and yesterday appear: 10:00am to 12:00pm GMT.  

As a part of the opening ceremonies, FIAV President Zeljko Heimer of Croatia gave the blessing and opening speech.  He reiterated the values and core ideas of vexillology.

The Dexter Blue Tide Flag - Maritime Code for Lamba

The International Maritime Flag for Lambda had many incarnations.  No doubt ,this signal flag was used by several navies, nations, and communities across time.  But its modern historical fame would begin as a pattern within the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.  Lord Howe, Admiral of the Royal Fleet, put this pattern on the historical map in 1790 to indicate the numerical value of 'zero.'  By the battle of Trafalgar in 1803 this pattern was coded to 'six,' since a copy of the code book was lost to potential enemies.

Then sometime in the middle of the 1800s this flag became associated with the letter 'S.'  However with the USA it was associated with the letter 'J' and then with the number six.  By WWII, the UK was code this pattern the number 7.   Upon the dawn of the Space Age, all the major navies of the world would abandon this earliest of signal flags from the Enlightenment Era.

Today this flag well known to many of Generation X and below as the middle signal flag on a fictional restaurant at Bikini Bottom, The Krusty Krab.  However, it has a Sinister Blue Tide—meaning that the hoist is blue with a blue bottom and the fly is white.

Since 2020 this flag has been rechristened as the Greek Letter Lambda.  This new association gives the ancient pattern a new life.  Since zero, six, seven, and the other letters already have established patterns, it makes sense to adopt this flag a new symbol.

  

California Republic State Seal Flag Design

Here is a California State Flag that is reflective of the state seal with Minerva or Athena sitting behind the California Grizzly. 

TEXAS Spelled Out Blue Star Flag in Thai

Texas and Thailand have much in common.  They both begin with the letter T.  Both are proud nations that were never truly conquered.  They have their state flags that shine with red, white, and blue in different ways.  Finally they aint afraid of a little heat, now and then.