[This is an update to a 2015 posting about NAVA.] NAVA is the North American Vexillological Association, the world’s oldest organization devoted to vexillology, the study of flags. It publishes the peer-reviewed journal Raven, as well as a newsletter and the periodical Flag Research Quarterly (FRQ); and holds an annual meeting, the “largest conference of vexillologists (flag scholars),vexillographers (flag… Continue reading NAVA (Still) Needs Your Support
Happy 2017! The first issue of the new year is here. Vexilloid Tabloid #62 features: The Origin of the PFA (Ted Kaye) Book Review: 50 Facts You May Not Know About the Confederate Flag (Ted Kaye) Alternative Flags for Earth Update on Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Proposed Flag Does the Deep Sea Need a Flag? (Carlos Alberto Morales Ramirez) William & Mary… Continue reading Vexilloid Tabloid #62
It's that time of year when vexillologists turn their attention to the flag of a small Indian Ocean island owned by Australia: the Island of Christmas! It was named by English Captain William Mynors on Christmas Day, 1643, from his East India Company ship the Royal Mary. (This is apparently all this is known about William… Continue reading Merry Christmas (Island)!
New Hampshire Public Radio reports that city-council supported efforts to find a new flag for the city -- the existing monstrosity is pictured above -- have run into a roadblock in the form of councilmember Brenda Baer and her bad-design-blind colleagues: “Why are we changing it, what is so wrong with our present flag?” asked… Continue reading Laconian Vexillonaires Struggle Against Inertia
Roundup is a regular feature of the Vexilloid Tabloid newsletter, collecting various flag-related items of note. Portland hosted the trial of the armed occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeaster Oregon. In Chapman Square, in front of the US District Courthouse, supporters maintained a vigil, including this boy hoisting the national flag as… Continue reading December 2016 Roundup
by Ted Kaye Columbia, the capital city of South Carolina, could really use a change of topic when it comes to flags. As the focal point for display of the Confederate Battle Flag in the South, the city hosted a turning point in the fractious debate, with the removal of the flag from the Confederate… Continue reading Flag Change in Columbia, South Carolina
Flutterings is a regular feature in our Vexilloid Tabloid newsletter, providing highlights from our last meeting. In our November meeting, hosted by Fred Paltridge and his fiancée Willow Washburn in their new home, 11 PFA members enjoyed a lively 3+ hour evening of flags. In the usual role of the host, Fred moderated the discussion.… Continue reading November 2016 Flutterings
by Ted Kaye I first met Whitney over 35 years ago—in Madrid at the 11th International Congress of Vexillology. On the first day, when the vexillologists visited the Spanish Naval Museum, I observed a mustachioed figure pointing out an error in a replica flag. Someone identified him to me as Dr. Smith. On my next… Continue reading Whitney Smith – A Personal Reminiscence
Our December 2016 newsletter features: Whitney Smith, 1940-2016 Flag Change in Columbia, South Carolina (Ted Kaye) The Fleur-de-Lis: From Lys to Lis, or from Flower to Emblem (Patrice de La Condamine) Vexiday: The First World Vexillology Day (Scott Mainwaring) Michael Orelove's Burgees Make Port (Michael Orelove) And, as always, notes from our last meeting, a… Continue reading Vexilloid Tabloid #61
We'll be celebrating the first World Vexillology Day (Saturday October 1) with a public show and tell at 2:00pm at Salmon Street Springs at Waterfront Park here in Portland, Oregon. Everyone is invited to bring a favorite flag (or two, or three...) to show, and to tell why they find it meaningful. Come have Fun with Flags!… Continue reading Celebrate Vexiday With Us At 2:00pm Saturday
Portland Flag Association 