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Australian merchant ensign (after 1909)
An Australian merchant ensign, in the 1909 pattern, made of wool bunting, with a linen hoist stamped 'AUSTRALIA 1 1/2 YDS'. It is machine sewn at the ends with a printed design and a rope attached for hoisting.
In 1901 the six colonies that made up the Australian continent combined to form a federal national state. There was an official competition to design a national flag. There was no outright winner but a consensus emerged that the flag should contain the Union Flag, the Southern Cross constellation and a six-pointed star representing the six colonies. After the acquisition of Papua New Guinea in 1905 an extra point was added to the star in 1909.
In 1901 the six colonies that made up the Australian continent combined to form a federal national state. There was an official competition to design a national flag. There was no outright winner but a consensus emerged that the flag should contain the Union Flag, the Southern Cross constellation and a six-pointed star representing the six colonies. After the acquisition of Papua New Guinea in 1905 an extra point was added to the star in 1909.
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Object Details
| ID: | AAA0783 |
|---|---|
| Collection: | Flags |
| Type: | Civil ensign |
| Display location: | Not on display |
| Places: | Australia |
| Date made: | After 1909 |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |
| Measurements: | 685.8 x 1320.8 mm |