Description

Description: This boldly graphic flag was issued in 1886 as part of Albany’s celebration of its 1686 chartering as a city (Dongan Charter). It incorporates several images of flags… clockwise they are Netherlands (1596-1630), Netherlands (1630-1664), Coat of Arms of Albany, Great Britain, the United States, and New England. The Netherlands are represented by two flags: The Orange-White-Blue Princevlag, which was used in the Netherlands from 1572 until the 1630-60 periods; and the national flag of the Netherlands, the Red-White-Blue that has been in use since the 17th century.

The top center device is the arms of the City of Albany which was founded as the settlement of Fort Orange, a name chosen to honor the House of Orange, the royal family of the Netherlands. Great Britain is represented by the Union Flag (1006-1801); the United States is represented by a 38-star Canton which was official from 1877 until 1890.

The bottom center device contains what was thought at the time to be the flag of New England, into which portions of New York were included in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. A European flag manufacturer mistakenly interpreted the New England pine tree as a globe and this was widely reproduced as the so-called flag of New England. This is interesting because it is a suppositions flag, which is an erroneous flag that is accepted as correct because of it being repeated so often.

23 1/2″ x 35″. Floated in a frame to: 28″ x 39″. Item #AM00339

Condition: A few errant spots, light fading (especially the reds). Generally good condition (not examined out of frame).