Control over coats of arms, flags, and other symbols in Britain has always been a prerogative of the Crown, i.e. the king or queen.To counsel the sovereign in matters relating to flags and heraldry, King Richard III created the College of Arms in 1483. It continues to operate today.
The Union Jack (also called the Union Flag) was designed by the College; in its present form it dates from January 1, 1801. Its colors and symbols make it one of the best known flags in the world. Because its manufacture has been standardized, it is difficult to determine where a particular flag was created and for what purpose.
The text on the heading (the canvas strip along the hoist of the flag) gives some clues to identification of this collection item. "8 BDS UNION" means that this is a Union Flag of 8 "breadths," a traditional flag manufacturer's measurement, currently 9" wide. In addition, the "broad arrow" symbol stamped on the heading indicates that this was government property. Prison uniforms in Britain used to bear broad arrows instead of stripes and American colonists hated the symbol because it was illegal to cut down any tree branded by authorities with a broad arrow.
In any event the size of this flag would have suggested government use because large flags are rarely flown in Britain by individuals or even businesses. It was probably not flown on a ship because it lacks the traditional "Inglefield clips" sewn into the heading of most British naval flags. The numerals 68045 printed on hoist do not readily identify its origin or purpose. ZFC COLLECTIBLE FLAG No Description
