Obverse
Obverse

Obverse

Revese

Revese

Obverse Emblem

Obverse Emblem

Obverse Lower Fly

Obverse Lower Fly

Obverse Upper Fly

Obverse Upper Fly

Obverse - 2

Obverse - 2

Obverse - 3

Obverse - 3

Obverse - 4

Obverse - 4

Reverse - 2

Reverse - 2

Reverse Emblem Detail

Reverse Emblem Detail

Upper Reverse Fly

Upper Reverse Fly

Lower reverse Fly

Lower reverse Fly

Lower Reverse Hoist

Lower Reverse Hoist

Upper Reverse Hoist

Upper Reverse Hoist

ZFC2416

U.S. Interior Dept. Flag, Geological Survey.

Sub-collection: U.S. Goverment

U.S. Geological Survey.

This small blue cotton flag was made for use by all survey camps and sometimes vessels of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) of the department of the Interior. The design dates the flag to the 1903 - 1966 period. The construction makes the flag likely to date from the post WWII era; making the likely dates of use 1945 to 1966.

The United States Geological Survey was established by Congress on 3 March 1879. The mission of the USGS was to classify and examine the public's lands and the geological and mineral resources therein.

The flag, or pennant, as it was originally styled by the USGS, was designed in 1903 by USGS employee R.H. Chapman, and in 1904 it became the basis for the identifying buttons worn by USGS personnel. The flag was for display at all times by USGS Survey Camps, to be flown in conjunction with the U.S. Flag.

The design of a white triangle and crossed hammers encircled by13 stars on a blue field represents the original 13 American colonies that created the United States; within the ring of stars is an equilateral triangle, the symbol for a survey control point over which is superimposed a crossed rock hammer & rock pick.

These symbols represent the original divisions of the USGS, the Survey and Geologic Divisions.

These symbols seem to have their origins with the flags utilized by the geologist Clarence King
Who lead the Fortieth Parallel Survey. A boat belong to the expedition was photographed on Nevada's Pyramid Lake displaying the crossed tools on a flag presumed to be the expeditions flag. The background color is reported to have been red.

In 1966 the flag was altered to include a wave under the triangle and tools, representing the Water Resources Division.

ZFC Noteworthy Flag



Hoist & Fly

Width of Hoist 23
Length of Fly 28.5

Stars

Size of Stars 1.25

Stripes

Size of Hoist 1

Stars

Number of Stars 13
Are there stars on obverse? yes
Are there stars on reverse? yes

Stripes

Has a Blood Stripe? no

Crest/Emblem

Description of Crest/Emblem A triangle crossed by a hammer & a goelogist pick encircled by a ring of stars.

Fabric

Fabric Cotton

Stitching

Stitching Machine

Thread

Type of Thread needs analysis
Thread Material needs analysis

Weave

Type of Weave Plain

Attachment

Method of Attachment Headings & Grommets

Applica

Applique Sides Single Faced = Mirror Image Reverse

PDF Files
USGS Circular

Documentation


Condition

Condition Good
Damage Used, worn, faded, soiled.
Displayable yes

Date

Date 1950s