I just obtained this large printed, 1903 pattern Imperial War Flag from an old collection. According to the seller, it was acquired in New York state decades ago. It is well marked as shown. On one side of the hoist is "Gaffel Fl 3,75 x 2, 25" (approximately 12 1/3' x 7 1/2') and, on the other "1 (Crown) 07" The tag, inscribed in fountain pen, was on the flag when it obtained and indicates it is from the light (unprotected) cruiser SMS Geier.
Overall the flag is in very good condition, rather gray with a repair and fraying on the fly end and has a small section missing from the upper fly end corner.
The SMS Geier has an interesting history that would make the attribution credible. In October 1914 it was interned after arriving at Honolulu for repairs. Later, in April 1917, when the US entered the war, the ship was seized by the US Navy and would be rechristened as the USS Schurz. It sunk off the North Carolina coast in 1918 as the result of a collision with a merchant ship See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS_Geier
The flag's dimensions are correct for a cruiser's war flag. Unfortunately, no other documentation to prove the provenance is available. However, given the ship's history and the fact that US personnel had access to the ship, I believe it is quite possible that the flag was indeed taken from SMS Geier.
Overall the flag is in very good condition, rather gray with a repair and fraying on the fly end and has a small section missing from the upper fly end corner.
The SMS Geier has an interesting history that would make the attribution credible. In October 1914 it was interned after arriving at Honolulu for repairs. Later, in April 1917, when the US entered the war, the ship was seized by the US Navy and would be rechristened as the USS Schurz. It sunk off the North Carolina coast in 1918 as the result of a collision with a merchant ship See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS_Geier
The flag's dimensions are correct for a cruiser's war flag. Unfortunately, no other documentation to prove the provenance is available. However, given the ship's history and the fact that US personnel had access to the ship, I believe it is quite possible that the flag was indeed taken from SMS Geier.
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