Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
American Legion Flag, c. 1920-1965 |
Object Name |
Flag |
Description |
American Legion Flag, c. 1920-1965. Large rectangular flag made of stiff, densely-woven red fabric. Along three edges, excluding the side where the flag would attach to a pole, is a dull gold rope fringe. In the center is a circular blue-and-gold medal with a rectangle extending below it; in the center of the circle is a five-pointed star with laurel leaves and gold text reading "U.S." and "AMERICAN LEGION," and on the lower rectangle are the numbers "40" and "8." In gold block capitals across the top of the flag is written "SAN MATEO COUNTY VOITURE 393 / CALIFORNIA." In more ornate, gothic-style gold print across the bottom of the flag is written "Le Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux." The flag is two-sided, with the same text and blue medal on the reverse. |
Date |
c. 1920-1965 |
Creator |
Unknown |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Medium |
Textile |
Catalog Number |
1976.345 |
Dimensions |
H-55 W-70 inches |
Collection |
3D - Ceremonial Objects |
Inscription Text |
"AMERICAN / LEGION" and "U.S." (gold on blue, center circle); "40 / 8" (gold on blue, below center circle); "SAN MATEO COUNTY VOITURE 393 / CALIFORNIA" (gold on red, top); "Le Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux" (gold on red, bottom) |
Provenance |
Received 1965 |
Notes |
The Forty-and-Eight (whose official French name translates to "The Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses"), is an honor society within the American Legion, a national veterans' association founded after World War I. "The title "40 & 8" comes from the box cars that were used to transport troops to the front in France. Each car had the emblem 40/8 stenciled on the sides, which meant that it could carry 40 men or 8 horses. These cars were known as forty-and-eights." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forty_and_Eight_veterans_organization 11/09/2018] |
Search Terms |
American Legion Flags Organizations San Mateo County Veterans |
Subjects |
Flags Organizations Service organization Veterans Veterans' organizations |
Credit line |
Courtesy of T. Louis Chess |