2nd German Reich - Standards, Ensigns, Jacks, Flags

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INTERNATIONAL TREASURES
The 2nd German Reich and Weimar Flags
1871 to 1933
Standards, Ensigns, Jacks & Flags

Image Source—Wikipedia Commons
ZFC0216 Germany Standard of the Empress Auguste Viktoria. A gift to M.H. de Young from the Empress of Germany herself, this flag is a typical example of the elegant and complicated standards used by German rulers until the early 20th century. The design is a variation of the imperial standard used by Augusta Victoria's husband, Kaiser Wilhelm II. Read more ZFC1365 Imperial Germany National Flag 1871 - 1919. This Imperial German flag is typical of flags used for private use. The black, white and red triband was retained as the national flag of the Empire in 1871. It had been previously used by the North German Confederation, a union of the Kingdom of Prussia and 21 other north German states. Read more
ZFC1127 Germany Naval Ensign & War Flag, 1903-1919. This German Naval Storm Ensign bears the crowned W inspection mark of the German Empire. When the Second Reich (Empire) was established in 1870, the 1867 flag, ensign and jack that had been used by the North German Confederation became the national flags of Germany. Read more ZFC1312 Germany Imperial Navy Jack, circa 1871-1903. A naval jack used on the bow of warships featuring the national colors of Germany and the quintessential Teutonic Iron Cross. It was acquired through a military dealer in Hamburg, Germany 1997. Read more
ZFC0348 Germany National Flag, 1867-1919. In the 19th century Germany struggled to achieve unification. The Confederation of 1848-1852 failed, leaving Prussia, the most powerful German state, the center of aspirations for unity. Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck founded the North German Confederation in 1867 and selected its flag. Read more ZFC0204 German Empire Air Force Pilots Flag WWI. This World War I German Pilots Flag was formerly part of the collection of the M.H. de Young Museum. It was originally acquired from the German submarine U-124 in 1918 by an American Blue Jacket (sailor). The U-124 surrendered on December 1st, 1918. Read more
ZFC1311 Germany Weimar Republic Ensign. An extremely rare naval ensign of the German Reichs marine dating from sometime in between the two World Wars. Read more ZFC3341 Germany Imperial Army Color style flag. An American GI brought this Imperial German Army Color style flag, back from WWI. It was incorrectly identified as an infantry color, but the black background precludes this as infantry colors had white backgrounds. This is more likely a veterans flag for a grenadier or pioneer regiment, or even a theatrical prop acquired by the GI. Read more
ZFC1303 German Bannerette or Tabard, 1919-1933. Little is known about the history of this German tabard; it is thought to have been a GI bring back and to date from the 1919-1933 era as evidenced by the use of the Hohenzollern style eagle with two inch gold fringe, most likely a post-war veterans group because of the lack of a crown and the use of an army style shield. Read more ZFC3553 German 80th Fusilers Veterans Color, 1914. The Eagles and Crown on the reverse are definitely Prussian. The writing on the obverse: "Verein ehem. 80er" shows, that it is a Reservist-Comradeship/Reservist Association (Reservistenkameradschaft) flag. Read more
ZFC0984 Germany Erdmann Institute Flag, 1902. This is a double sided flag. on the obverse; three horizontal stripes of medium blue, white and red. In the blue stripe are embroidered INSTITUTE ERDMANN and below the city name, BURGSTADT. On the white stripe are a monogram and an exclamation point. On the red stripe are the inscription 1889 and the name LAUSIGK, probably the place and founding date of the institute. Read more ZFC0759 German Institutional Flag. An embroidered heraldic banner of late 19th Century German origin featuring the marshaled arms of Westphalia and Brunswick; most likely a veteran's banner from the Franco-Prussian War used in parades on national holidays and other festivities. Read more
ZFC0985 German Bavarian Institutional Banner, 1909. The flag is divided diagonally, white in the upper fly and red in the lower. Centered on the field are two arms; the hoist arms are white with a knight in full armor fording or crossing a stream or river. The fly shield bears three stylized hats or helms; grey lined red, arranged two one. The shields are touching and surmounted by a grey mural crown. A wreath of stylized oak and olive encircles the entire insignia. Read more ZFC0989 Germany Weimar Theatre Group, 1924-1927. This small, richly embroidered flag was used by the Northrein-Westphalian Action Theater Guild. Dating to the inter war period, this exquisite flag is double faced with a different design on each side. Read more
ZFC0760 German Religious Youth Group “Tapfer u Treu”, 1930. It contains the German phrase “Tapfer u Treu” which can be roughly translated as Brave and Loyal. The phrase has a long history of use in Germany, and can be seen on many orders and decorations, patriotic items and organizational mottos. Read more ZFC2426 Germany Mein Soldatenleben with Photo. This is a soldier souvenir of his military service. Mein Soldatenleben means "My Soldier Life", and the chromo litho depicts idyllic scenes from a soldier’s military experience. Massproduced these were sold widely and contained space for a soldier to insert a photo of himself. This example dates from the 1888 to 1895 period. Read more
ZFC2427 Germany - "An Mein Dienstzeit" - Franco Prussian War. This is a soldier's souvenir of his military service and is thought to be from a veteran of the Franco-Prussian War. This collage contains mementos of a soldier's military experience. Read more ZFC2429 Germany “Zur Erinnerung an mein Reise” or "memories of my cruise" Trapunto. This is a souvenir, possibly from the maiden voyage of the SS Koing Albert, personalized to Victor Walter. Read more
ZFC2428 Germany “Zur Erinnerung” Military Trapunto. It translates "My Memories" and this is a souvenir of service in the Imperial German military circa 1902. The design consists of the Hollenzollern shield as the arms on the Imperial German Eagle which is depicted in front of the German national flag and ensign. Read more ZFC2430 Germany “Zur Erinnerung” Trapunto. Translates “My memories” is emblazoned upon a stylized Imperial German commission pennant above the Imperial German Arms. Read more