Happy Victoria Day! | British Empire Ensigns
Informative discussion at REDDIT regarding historic Commonwealth flags..
This card depicts a series of flags based on the British Red Ensign.
The Australian Ensign is still in use. Interestingly (for me) it’s blue and something I’ve learned is that it was actually British tradition for civil authorities to use a blue ensign – not red! Canada has a long history of using red ensigns. I believe this postcard shows the earliest version which was used until 1921. The Cape Colony was part of the British Empire until 1910 but is now part of the county of South Africa. India is represented with a blue ensign containing the Star of India at its center. Malta is represented by a blue ensign with what I think might be the Maltese Cross. New Zealand also has a blue ensign and it dates from 1902. The Straits Settlement is now Malaysia and Singapore. It was a British colony until 1946. The Tasmanian ensign is a bit of a mystery for me because some quick research implies that the blue ensign would have been used by the state and the red would only have been used by ships – yet the postcard shows a blue ensign.
Are there any flag/ensign specialists out there who know more about these ensigns?
If so, please leave a comment in the box below.
Interested in Ensigns – you have to visit:
British Imperial Ensigns – http://imperialflags.blogspot.com/
Here’s a comment from Brisbane, Australia blogger Clifden (http://clifden-clifden.blogspot.com/)
Thanks for a gorgeous posting. So interesting and well researched. Had a great visit in Hobart, Tasmania on the Derwent River where there is a signal station at Mt Nelson. Approaching ships could be spotted coming up the Derwent to the town of Hobart(Signal Station est.1811) In this little room was the offical British Admiralty Flag Book with all the codes and signals used for sending (flag) messages. The walls were decorated with gorgeous coloured illustrations of the flags. Thanks Evelyn
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The British Red Ensign Flys Over Montreal
Blue Ensigns on Montreal (Canada) ship in the St-Lawrence River
Place Viger At The Turn Of The 20th Century | Montreal In The Time Of Tramways
A Canadian Family 
That’s an interesting flag card. Originally I was thinking of doing my Postcard Scavenger Hunt on flags, but I was afraid not very many people would have them. I still may use that theme sometime.
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I have the same concerns – really great ideas for theme but who know what cards people might have !!! Have you chosen your June theme yet?
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Thanks for sharing. Any idea how old this card is – other than before 1921? There are still British Empire places with flags similar to this – I’m thinking St. Helena and Tristan de Cunha.
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No, I don’t know the date of the card. I just pulled it out this evening for Postcard Friday and started by collecting a few dates related to the flags. There’s no stamp and so far I haven’t found a list of the publisher’s cards. Also, although it depicts old flags I realize that doesn’t guarantee it dates from that time.
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How lovely–as an American, I have always had a special love and place in my heart for my Canadian brothers and sisters. Gorgeous postcard!
You are just marvelous!
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A great postcard, very colorful.
Judy
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All the flags represented just prove the truthfulness of that old saying…the sun never sets on the British Empire.
Happy PFF!
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Hi
What a delightful card.
Thank you for sharing.
It is beautiful.
I do love flags 🙂
All kinds of flags they are always
so intresting to learn about.
Happy Postcard Friendship Friday.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Happy Trails
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Another great card. Your postcard collection and the comments are always one of the highlights of PFF. Thanks for sharing.
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it is an interesting historical postcard.
greetings from Malaysia
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I know very little about the Straits Settlement. This was a gorgeous postcardy reminder of what I have wanted to read about for a while now! I’ll be hooked to Wikipedia and other online articles tonight that’s for sure! Happy PFF Evelyn! I’m quite excited about this month’s Festiva of Postcards theme! It’s been so delightful meting all of the geneabloggers through FB!
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Love your postcard. So fun to see all the flags. I also live in Canada and I am a big fan of the Union Jack!
Happy PPF.
debby
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How interesting. As an american, I’ve never totally grasped the whole “commonwealth realm” status. It’s very interesting to see all these flags. I was curious about how old this card was too. Thanks for sharing, Evelyn! Happy PFF!
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It’s a lovely card…thanks for sharing.
Happy PFF!
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Another educational card!
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My son was looking over my shoulder and said “Wow! cool flags!” Happy PFF!
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People I know in the Navy keep trying to explain the flags to me, and I keep forgetting what they say. The blue ensigns can be “defaced” with another symbol, or not. But your card is lovely in its own right, and a piece of history.
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Very interesting bit of history, Evelyn. Thanks for sharing the beautiful postcard. Happy PFF.
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What an interesting postcard. I didn’t know about the red or blue flags, but I don’t think I ever thought of it. 🙂 Fascinating. Thank you!
Kristin
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Thanks for a gorgeous posting. So interesting and well researched. Had a great visit in Hobart, Tasmania on the Derwent River where there is a signal station at Mt Nelson. Approaching ships could be spotted coming up the Derwent to the town of Hobart(Signal Station est.1811) In this little room was the offical British Admiralty Flag Book with all the codes and signals used for sending (flag) messages. The walls were decorated with gorgeous coloured illustrations of the flags. Thanks Evelyn
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I teach history here in Peking, and I think you might care to have a look at the flags I have had made and now hang in my classroom. It’s on a website I made devoted to British Imperial Flags.
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What a great site- and a fabulous classroom!
I took a quick look when I get a moment and also include a link in the post above.
For now I need to get back to preparing my classroom for my students who are arriving Tuesday!
Evelyn
Teaching in Montreal and loving it!
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Thankyou for the beautiful postcard. I am from Singapore. I wonder if it is possible for me to use it to print out on one of my school booklet to show my students about the colonial flag that flew in Singapore before. Are there any copyright procedure to this postcard?
Thanks for your help and thankyou for posting this online.
Note from Evelyn: Answered privately – permission granted.
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