Rare surviving example of a World War I Son‑in‑Service flag, this monumental 144" × 92" cotton banner was produced between 1917 and 1919 for display in a church, school, lodge, or municipal building honoring local servicemen.
Oversized institutional service flags of this scale were custom‑made in extremely small numbers and were typically retired or discarded after the war, making surviving examples exceptionally scarce.
Constructed of cotton bunting with a wide red border and a cream field, the flag features hand‑guided machine‑appliquéd stars, including a Gold Star, signifying a fallen serviceman. The appliqué method, thread weight, and textile weave are all consistent with WWI‑era commercial sewing‑room production. The header includes a period brass grommet with a stamped maker’s mark, further supporting its early manufacture.
This flag represents the home‑front tradition of honoring service and sacrifice during the Great War. Its scale, materials, and construction place it firmly within the highest tier of WWI service‑flag artifacts—intended not for household use but for prominent public display.
Construction Details
Period: 1917–1919
Dimensions: 144" × 92" (12 ft × 7 ft 8 in)
Material: Cotton bunting with cotton header
Stars: Appliquéd; includes Gold Star
Stitching: Early wide‑tooth zig‑zag reinforcement; straight‑seam panel construction
Hardware: Brass grommet with period stamp
