A Large British Vintage Printed Union Jack Flag

Origin: British
Period: Early-Twentieth Century
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1920-40
Height: 38 inches
Width: 67 inches

The printed Union Jack flag in soft thin cotton is in worn but generally sound order with a lovely consistent gentle fade across the fabric. There are four or five small holes present, and two tears with a smattering of stains, giving a welcome abundance of character to the flag. It also bears the ‘British Made’ insignia to the center.

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.

Of a good large size, this flag would serve well as shop display or as a decorative effect in the home, comfortably covering a large space in a gorgeous blanket of vintage.