Historical Flags of our Ancestors
Rare Original 1868 Canadian Red Ensign - Celebrating July 1, Dominion Day, with the old ensign
This 1868 Canadian flag was the first one made following the Confederation of Canada in 1867. The incredibly pristine condition of this particular and rare historic artifact makes it unique among those still extant. At four by seven feet (129 x 214 cm), its impressive size is startling. On the fly, the coats of arms of the four founding provinces, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia are combined in one shield and surmounted by the Queen's Crown, which was used during Queen Victoria's reign. In "reduced" tones, the red colour verges towards the red-orange in this original ensign.
This 1868 Canadian flag was the first one made following the Confederation of Canada in 1867. The incredibly pristine condition of this particular and rare historic artifact makes it unique among those still extant. At four by seven feet (129 x 214 cm), its impressive size is startling. On the fly, the coats of arms of the four founding provinces, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia are combined in one shield and surmounted by the Queen's Crown, which was used during Queen Victoria's reign. In "reduced" tones, the red colour verges towards the red-orange in this original ensign.
Canadian Red Ensign - Sotheby's Canada Auction Catalogue, June 2010. Held at the Royal Ontario Museum.
The Forgotten Flag - Story of An Original Canadian Red Ensign of 1868 from the bout de papier magazine, vol. 31, No. 1, 2020 by David H. Clendining, Ottawa.
A Rare Discovery of an Early Canadian Red Ensign (c. 1868)
This narrative recounts David H. Clendenning’s discovery, authentication, and eventual sale of one of Canada's earliest Red Ensign flags, a historically significant artifact from the first years of Canadian Confederation (1867). The Red Ensign, which was replaced by the Maple Leaf in 1965, served as an unofficial but widely used national flag of Canada for nearly a century.
Discovery and Authentication
Valuation and Market Comparison
Challenges in Finding a Home
Legacy
This narrative recounts David H. Clendenning’s discovery, authentication, and eventual sale of one of Canada's earliest Red Ensign flags, a historically significant artifact from the first years of Canadian Confederation (1867). The Red Ensign, which was replaced by the Maple Leaf in 1965, served as an unofficial but widely used national flag of Canada for nearly a century.
Discovery and Authentication
- In 1967, while visiting an antique shop in Knowlton, Quebec, the author found a pristine Red Ensign from around 1868.
- This early four-province version (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia) was meticulously crafted, with a sewn Union Jack and a primitive Ontario coat of arms, indicating an early design.
- Stored safely for decades, the flag was later presented at historical exhibitions and authenticated by Bishop Ralph Spence, Canada's leading expert in vexillology.
- The Canadian Conservation Institute confirmed its material authenticity and preservation needs.
Valuation and Market Comparison
- Appraiser Andrew Gibbs assessed the flag’s value, comparing it to rare historic flags such as:
- A Napoleon’s Elba service boat flag ($80,500)
- An 1862 Confederate battle flag ($94,300)
- A British Antarctic Expedition flag ($69,400)
- The estimated worth of the Red Ensign was set at $50,000.
Challenges in Finding a Home
- The Government of Canada declined the flag, as there was no evidence it had flown over Parliament Hill.
- The Canadian Museum of History also refused, claiming to already possess a similar flag.
- However, comparisons revealed that the museum’s flag was in poor condition, and the author’s flag was likely a prototype, making it possibly the first Canadian Red Ensign ever produced.Auction and Final Sale
- The flag was eventually consigned to Sotheby’s Canada, which launched a major marketing campaign.
- The auction took place at the Royal Ontario Museum in June 2010, starting at $40,000.
- Bidding escalated rapidly, culminating in a record-breaking sale price of $117,500 to a Canadian collector.
Legacy
- The author, who had been the flag’s guardian for over 50 years, was relieved that it remained in Canadian hands.
- The hope remains that one day this iconic piece of Canada’s history will be housed in Canada’s Parliament or Library and Archives as a national relic.
Title: Intricate Wood Carving of Canada's earliest Coat-of-Arms of 1870.
Order No.: A1-8183.
Location: Library of Parliament, Ottawa.
Coat of Arms of Canada
Early Illustration of the Coat of Arms of Canada in 1868. Note the vast improvement in the maple leaves of Ontario and Quebec.
|
Title: Canada's Coat-of-Arms (pre 1915) in bronze.
Order No.: A1-0504.
Location: Queen Victoria Monument, Parliament Square, Ottawa.
|
Canadian WW1 Enlist Poster with Red Ensign, 1915.
|
Reproduction of the Canadian Red Ensign with original four province badge in the fly at Vimy Ridge, 2011.
|
David Clendenning & Carden Vickers (Scotty) raising the Canadian Red Ensign, 1921-1957 version, at an Ontario summer Cabin, 1958.
|
David Clendenning with his original Canadian Red Ensign of 1868 on display at the Chateau Laurier Hotel, Ottawa, 20 Nov 2008
|