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Flags/Expert Profile

Albert Kirsch

U.S.

Available

Expertise

I am more-or-less expert in vexillology (the study of flags). My expertise is particularly strong in North America at the level of city and county, but if I don`t know the answer I know a dozen people who do. So if there`s a flag in the newspaper or on TV that you have trouble identifying, let me know. I`ll do my best. But PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME TO APPRAISE A FLAG'S VALUE: (1) I have no expertise in that area and (2) even if I did, I cannot appraise something I can't see. Take it to a museum which has a specialist in textiles and the like.

Experience in the area

In this field, I designed the flag of Carroll County, Illinois, in 1974 (see http://www.internetni.com/~lanarklib/index.html). You can see my personal flag at http://www.nava.org/memflags.htm

What do you like about this subject?

I like the design and symbolism, and by now have over 3000 in my collection.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

A new flag every day :-)

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Betsy Ross's design probably never flew, and the term "Stars and Bars" does *not* refer to the familiar Confederate flag with the 13 stars on the blue cross.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Think about *why* South Carolina hoisted its Confederate flag in 1962 and you'll know why it shouldn't be there now. See also the flag changes of Georgia and Mississippi (which voted not to change it).

Average Ratings

Recent Reviews from Users

User	Date	K	C	P	Comments
bill	12/12/11	10	10	10	thank you for your quick response
Tony Richards	12/04/11	10	10	10	Flags are a touchy issue. Some would .....
Roger	10/06/11	10	10	10	I really appreciate the prompt response. We .....
Sean	08/16/11	10	10	10	Very Clear, friendly and informative! Thank you!
Janice	08/01/11	8	10	10	Thank you for your response. I will .....

Recent Answers from Albert Kirsch

2011-12-11 flag rarity:

There is obviously only one flag answering to your full description (flown from the McGowan at her decommissioning and given to your grandparents.) As to the make and model of the flag, it's one of hundreds

2011-12-04 FLAG RULES ON INTERNATIONAL TRAIN:

In all my protocol manuals, I've never seen any rules for trains. I guess we should reason from cars, though, as they are also land-based (and not, say, from ships.) If the train is flying both flags,

2011-09-30 WWI Flag:

I have no formal knowledge but I suspect they were given new to the widows/mothers at the time. By the time WW1 occurred battle flags were no longer in use as rallying points; in modern warfare all they'd

2011-09-09 ok to put flag holder on mailbox?:

Hmm. I had a vision of a small mailbox and was actually joking, since a 3x5' flag would be ridiculously large as a mailbox flag. On rereading I gather that you just want to use the mailbox post as a support

2011-09-09 ok to put flag holder on mailbox?:

Go ahead; it's fine. (I'm assuming it's not a big 3x5' flag!)

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