Here's an unusual Weimar era flag for the Zentralverband der Schuhmacher Zahlstelle Muenchen, the National Union of Shoemakers, Munich Payment-collection Office. This national union was first formed in 1922. It evolved from the early leather workers' union and later the shoemakers' association, so it can be presumed that the flag dates from that year.
The NSDAP dismantled the unions in 1933. Assets and property were seized and their leadership largely incarcerated. The survival of such flags, like material from other political parties and their affiliated organizations, may be the result of Nazi seizure and preservation for historical purposes (like the Rehse Sammlung) or perhaps due to sympathizers hiding them to prevent them from falling into Nazi hands.
Unfortunately, the provenance of this flag is hard to trace. It probably came from an American soldier's estate. It could have been taken from an NSDAP archive. Or, it could have been brought to the USA by an immigrant with a connection to the union.
The flag's construction is double faced with brocade edging and eight brass wire attaching rings. It measures approximately 114x138cm. One side has a printed motto (Unity is Strength) and an applied woven emblem framed within brocade zig-zag decorative stripes. The reverse has the applied, printed union office designation. Presumably, the maker produced a number of these flags using the universal insignia and motto on the one side and added the individualized union name on the other using the printed ribbons. Interestingly, the laurel leaf wreath is enhanced with metal buttons as berries. Perhaps these are actual shoe buttons used to represent the shoemakers.
The NSDAP dismantled the unions in 1933. Assets and property were seized and their leadership largely incarcerated. The survival of such flags, like material from other political parties and their affiliated organizations, may be the result of Nazi seizure and preservation for historical purposes (like the Rehse Sammlung) or perhaps due to sympathizers hiding them to prevent them from falling into Nazi hands.
Unfortunately, the provenance of this flag is hard to trace. It probably came from an American soldier's estate. It could have been taken from an NSDAP archive. Or, it could have been brought to the USA by an immigrant with a connection to the union.
The flag's construction is double faced with brocade edging and eight brass wire attaching rings. It measures approximately 114x138cm. One side has a printed motto (Unity is Strength) and an applied woven emblem framed within brocade zig-zag decorative stripes. The reverse has the applied, printed union office designation. Presumably, the maker produced a number of these flags using the universal insignia and motto on the one side and added the individualized union name on the other using the printed ribbons. Interestingly, the laurel leaf wreath is enhanced with metal buttons as berries. Perhaps these are actual shoe buttons used to represent the shoemakers.
Very nice, I especially like the mix of highlighted 
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