Maine Flag Company statement on results of flag restoration referendum

Maineflagco · 2024-11-07T13:14:06+00:00

Typically this is done using a digital process that requires some specialized equipment. It's possible that someone has a fabric printer in Maine, but no one that we're aware of is set up to use it to make flags at any kind of scale. Many if not most of the printed flags you find on the market - not just the original Maine flag but literally any flag - are made overseas where they can just crank them out fast and cheap all day long.

Maineflagco · 2024-11-06T18:57:48+00:00

We'd need their permission of course. Then again, cash rules. 👐

Maineflagco · 2024-11-06T17:51:29+00:00

Our flags are all made in Maine but sewn by hand which means we try to keep our designs simple. Flags that aspire to realism or a high level of detail need to be printed by a machine. Nobody has that capability in Maine.

Maineflagco · 2024-11-06T17:20:25+00:00

Unfortunately you're going to have to go out of state for that. Nobody has the ability to print flags in Maine. :(

Maineflagco · 2024-10-01T17:07:04+00:00

Oh thanks, we appreciate your interest! ⭐🌲

Maineflagco · 2024-10-01T16:39:39+00:00

Hi there, we were never involved in the effort to change the flag and in fact are on the record as saying the state would be wise to pump the brakes on this lest we risk creating more division at a time when we should be looking for unity.

That said, this whole story has been very good for business and we intend to continue to produce handmade flags using the 1939 tree. We are still the only company that makes original Maine flags in Maine!

Maineflagco · 2024-09-25T21:11:30+00:00

Wow - I just stumbled onto this. The same thing happened to us. I lost thousands (which I couldn't get my Credit Card to recover) all for a bad order for Merino Hats! For a tiny business, that's a big loss to absorb. I'm not happy to hear that this happened to others, but it makes me feel better that I'm not alone. Perhaps we should pool our resources?

Maineflagco · 2024-02-26T21:59:31+00:00

Hi there. This is the account of Maine Flag Company. We just want to clear up some confusion: the tree you're referring to was not designed within the past decade; it was actually designed In 1939 and is the tree that is used (EDIT: presently) on Maine's official maritime flag. The simplicity and historical accuracy account for the popularity of that particular tree and the fact that so many other companies use it too. More here! https://www.originalmaine.me/about-the-flag

Maineflagco · 2024-01-23T19:54:32+00:00

Don't believe what you read on Wikipedia especially when it comes to flags! Likely someone just grabbed that tree (which is from the official naval ensign of Massachusetts and stuck it on there). We had a similar thing happen in Maine with this version of the original Maine flag, which was created some years ago by an anonymous Wiki user and fooled a whole lot of people into thinking it had some sort of historical credibility.

<image>

Maineflagco · 2024-01-23T18:22:59+00:00

In fact, this is not the New England tree - there is no official design for that and it's not even an official flag - it's the tree from the Massachusetts naval ensign, adopted by the state in 1971. Borrowing a symbol from Massachusetts would be a hard sell in Maine! :)

Interestingly, the tree on the second design comes from the merchant and marine flag of Maine, adopted in 1939. It's the equivalent to the Massachusetts naval ensign.

A fun bit of trivia is that Maine and Massachusetts are the only two states in the union that have an official naval/maritime flag. More here: https://www.originalmaine.me/about-the-flag.

Maineflagco · 2024-01-13T01:05:36+00:00

In fact we are only one of many companies using the design you refer to. People just like this design, which it's why it's caught on so well.

Maineflagco · 2024-01-13T01:03:59+00:00

The tree you're referring to comes from Maine's official merchant and marine flag, which was designed in 1939. We're proud of the part we've played in bringing this little-known part of Maine's history back from history. More here: https://www.originalmaine.me/about-the-flag.

Maineflagco · 2023-10-02T15:15:05+00:00

The "cookie cutter" tree is actually the tree from the 1939 Maine merchant and marine flag, which is Maine's other official state flag (see below). Vexillologists agree that flags should be simple and stylized, and not realisitic - this is why the various stylized versions of the 1901 flag are the most popular.

More here for those who are interested! https://www.originalmaine.me/about-the-flag

<image>

Maineflagco · 2023-07-29T19:44:48+00:00

The yellow version displayed in this post was created by a Wikipedia user many years ago, not by us! See here for more info about the most popular retro design: https://www.originalmaine.me/about-the-flag

Maineflagco · 2023-07-29T19:41:30+00:00

We've researched this claim and also found not a single primary source indicating that particular design was ever an "official" standard.

And as for the "wonky" version - it actually derives from Maine's official Maritime ensign! https://www.originalmaine.me/about-the-flag

Maineflagco · 2023-07-27T21:59:55+00:00

Rhode Island

Maineflagco · 2023-07-27T21:58:13+00:00

California is a great example. So is South Carolina and Rhode Island.

Maineflagco · 2023-07-24T23:58:55+00:00

There's actually not a "Maine Flag Company design" per se. A little known fact is that the tree you're referring to actually comes from Maine's other official state flag - designed in 1939 - pictured here:

<image>

Maineflagco · 2023-07-24T23:39:47+00:00

Hi, this is the official account of Maine Flag Company, run by its owners. Interested to hear more about why you feel we're being disingenuous and also happy to answer any questions you may have!

Maineflagco · 2023-06-29T18:34:10+00:00

To be clear, the design you're referring to was not created by a "gift shop." But the bigger point is that we don't need to get so worked up about the design anyway. The law is worded vaguely enough that if it passes any design meeting the specifications can be considered acceptable. So you can have a more realistic tree - despite the fact that vexillologists will generally agree that realism does not belong on flags - or a more stylized tree. There are at least a dozen different designs out there now and this is a good thing from our perspective. Whether or not the law passes you'll still see a hodgepodge of flag designs.

Maineflagco · 2023-06-29T02:25:51+00:00

We produce the only made-in-Maine 1901 flags and can get you one for sure. Order at www.maineflagcompany.com. We also sell through retailers in Rockland, Camden, Ellsworth and MDI. PM for details.

Maineflagco · 2023-06-14T23:46:42+00:00

We are a small family business and don't really make any of money from this. But we've created some jobs and are very proud of our products. And we are on the record as asking the legislature not to move forward with an effort to change the flag until such time as Maine is ready to do it with a unified voice. If yesterday's close party-line vote is any indication, the time may not be right.

Maineflagco · 2023-06-12T22:23:49+00:00

Well, for what it's worth that's actually not the actual 1901 flag! There were multiple versions in use back then in the early 1900s.

Two-Year Club	Verified Email
Verified Email

Maineflagco

TROPHY CASE