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**Vintage 1960s Official State of Ohio Burgee Flag**
**Governor James A. Rhodes Era – Inmate/Prison Manufactured**
Up for sale is an authentic, highly collectible piece of mid-century Ohio political and institutional history. This official Ohio State burgee flag features its original sewn-on white canvas manufacturer's tag with a fascinating background.
### Label Details & Historical Context:
* **The Stamp:** The label bears the crisp, official blue circular ink stamp for the **Ohio Department of Mental Hygiene and Correction**. This specific department name only existed from 1954 until it was split into separate entities in 1972.
* **The Signature:** Features the stamped signature of **James A. Rhodes**, who served as the Governor of Ohio from 1963–1971 (and later 1975–1983). Because of the department seal crossover, this flag can be safely dated directly to his first term in the mid-to-late 1960s.
* **Manufacturing Origin:** Historically, official flags flown over the Ohio Statehouse and government facilities were hand-sewn through institutional state programs. Beginning in 1926, these high-quality flags were produced by incarcerated women at the **Ohio Reformatory for Women** in Marysville under the state corrections department.
### Craftsmanship & Features:
* **True Appliqué Work:** This is not a cheap, modern screen-printed flag. The individual white stars and the central red "O" circle are separate fabric elements meticulously stitched down onto the blue field field by hand.
* Includes a heavy-duty white canvas header bar on the hoist edge complete with brass attachment grommets.
* Classic swallowed-tail "burgee" shape unique to the state of Ohio.
Condition Notes:
The flag is in excellent vintage condition with vibrant colors. The canvas header shows minimal aging/dust, and the stitching remains completely tight throughout. Please see all attached high-resolution photographs to inspect the exact condition for yourself.]
**Disclaimer:** above is based on our research and it may not be accurate. Please do your own research to verify.
Estimate: 1960s (estimated)
Material: Cotton
Size: 37 x 59 x 28 x 58”
#0439
