BACKGROUND: The swastika, (a Sanskrit word meaning "well being"), is an ancient symbol that was utilized in numerous diverse cultures and signified both the cycle of life and the sun. The swastika was also a Nordic rune and the pagan Germanic symbol for Thor, God of Adventurers. During WWI the swastika began to be used to represent national and anti-Semitic leanings in such organizations as the Thule society and other German nationalistic movements and later, assorted Freikorps groups. In the midsummer of 1920 Hitler adopted the swastika as the premier symbol of the NSDAP and the first official swastika party flags were introduced. Shortly after Hitler gained power in 1933 he abolished the Weimar era national tri-color flag of black, red, and gold and reverted to the Hohenzollern Empire tri-color flag in black, white and red, which was to be flown in conjunction with the NSDAP swastika flag. Finally this dual flag arrangement was settled on September 15TH 1935, when the swastika flag was announced as the official national and mercantile flag of Germany.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A multi-piece cotton construction flag approximately 150cm x 90cm. To its red field is sewn an 21cm diameter white disk, with a black mobile swastika printed onto it. Its four original taped tie strings are still attached to the bunting end. The nice thing about this example is that it is Italian made. Nice Naples makers stamping. The Italian made examples seldom turn up for sale.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $298.00