US1284050A - Photographic service-flag. - Google Patents

Description

CHARLES A. BOWMAN, JR., OFPITTSBURGH,

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PHQTGRAPIEEC SERVICE-FLAG.

Specicaticn oi' Letters `Patent.

` Patented Nov.. a, imita..

Application led May 2G,` 1918,. 1` Serial No.` 235,498.

To @ZZ 'a0/wm z'z may concern:

Be it known that l, GHAnLnsA. BowMAN, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photographic'ServicefFlaga of `which the :following is a specification, referencebeing had therein x My invention has forits object to produce a photograph and a mount therefor' having particular' distinguishing to the photographitself, and.` itsembodiment with `afsupporting and surrounding whereby to signify certain facts of military or naval service having a directpersonal relation to the subject of the photograph.

The .invention has in view to embody wit-.hinthe border or confines of a service flag of the class represented in Design llPatent No. 51,464 vof Robert L. Queisser, a photographic representation, in star` forni, of the person correspondingto the star as a unitary member of the entire emblem. Service flags of the kind referredl to usually consist of a central rectangular field in white, surrounded by a red. border, and provided'wlth one or more stars. Ordinarily, these lstars have no especial otherth'an a numerical one, and myinvention has in View to invest each` starwith a personal, peculiar and immediately apparent self-evident value, in individualizing and vitalizing the star itself, and with `particular reference to its mounting.

The essential point `otmy invention is the establishment of an individualized relationship between an individual and one of the numerically significant indicia, in this case stars of five points. There may be a remote and sentimental significance too in accordance with the ancient custom or superstition of an individual choosing a particular star which throughout he might claim as his particular guiding star through life, a custom perhaps referable back to the pagan idea of a particular god or tutelary deity, for each individual. Each star in the flag is assumed to have a fixed position and each star in the Hag stands for some individual. To emphasize this individuality of position and of personal relationship, li have devised a means of expressing such relationship by associating with each star some personal, peculiar, unaltera'ble and inaliento the accompanying drawing.`

characteristics, as

base,

significance` able characteristic oi' the two `are always together and mustalways be associa-tedtogether in the minds of the public.` The most` strikingly peculiar and distinctive characteristic ot an individual is person, so that the hisface ora portrait of his face and this is y what l use.

By this arrangement or combination f of with such, other `incidents `having to r dol with` such personal association as maybe appropriately shown in the picture.

ln` my prior` application filed lvliarch 14,

1918, Serial No. 222,473, l have shown and i described my improved photographic print and method of making the same, and the sub-` `iectmatter of the present application pro-` vides for the incorporation of sucli"aphotographlc print, 1n star form, with a service flag, as a complete entity.

ticular object in View is to so combine1`Y the photographic representation with theqstar shaped outline and background, that when printed fromthe negative thewell`known blue printing process or any other-.suitable photographic process capable of producing a blue picture, for reproducing .prints` from` negatives, may be utilized. By thismeansl provide a composite printhavinga general blue color, the surrounding background within the boundaries of the star being preferably of a deep uniform shade: of blue, and with the photographic representation, as of a head or body or portion thereof, of a lighter shade and in relief or contrast from the said background.

ln making the complete picture l utilize the usual photographic method for making the negative which is then used in making the print upon the sensitized paper or fabric or other suitable material, which may be then cut out in star form; or the print may be made in connection with the use of a mask whereby to protect the surrounding sensitized surface so as to leave an outer surrounding body portion of white or approXimately white color.

Either method may be employed, z'. e., the photographic star may be made separately and the stanembodied ln making the photographic star, they parlll) and separately attached to the white eld of the service flag, or the field itself may be utilized as a printing base, in connection with suitable sizing and sensitizing material.

In the drawing, which illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, I show in face view a rectangular base of typical service flag form, provided with a photo graphic stan Referring to the drawing, 2 represents the star base which may be of the regulation or arbitrary shape or form, but which is preferably made with the point portions of the star somewhat blunter than usual, whereby to provide a relatively large central body portion. f

The portrait 3 preferably occupies such central position, either partly or entirely, andthe, device as thus made, confined within the edge portions of the star itself, provides the dark blue background referred toV and the incorporated portrait or figure, 3, of the same general tint but somewhat in relief,

lwhereby it easily distinguished from the background. e v

The print as thus made constitutes a sepaate unit, having the arbitrary outline, embodying the portrait, and is mounted by printing, pasting, sewing or otherwise, upon the fabric constituting the white field 4- of theservice flag, and within the surrounding red border 5.' p

If desired, the picture may be imprinted directly upon the field of the service flag in connection with the use of suitable sizing and sensitizing treatment.

' It will also be understood that any number of individual photographic stars of the'kind described may be embodied with a single flag, within the limitations of its field, and that their arrangement, location, size, shape, or other details may be varied within the taste and, judgment of the designer without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for desired y ve cents each, by addressing the Washington, D. G.

It will be observed that while I show a five pointed star, I do not wish to be limited to five points as in some instances for religious or other reasons I may use a six pointed star or may even conceivably use some other figure. The portrait may be accompanied by other individualizing marks as for instance the signature, secret society mark or others.

In using the five pointed star I arrange the star with one of the points uppermost, and this arrangement aids to a certain extent in synnnetrically positioning the portrait. I Valso carry the idea of emblematic signification. further. It will be remembered that the blue feature of the star of the Quesser design is preferably preserved in my structure, though modified in depth of tone to produce light and shade effects.

I carry this idea further, in case of death, the individualized star becomes golden, and in my flag the golden star is made to carry a golden color portrait. A similar edect may be produced when silver stars are used to indicate Wounded or otherwise incapacitated individuals.

1. In combination, a banner 4consisting of a red bordered white field with stars for individuals in said field, each of said stars bearing some indicia of a character unalterably related to the personality of the individual whom it represents, said star and indicia having color to indicate the vital condition of the particular individual associated therewith.

2. In combination, a service banner consisting of a red bordered white field service flag, blue portrait bearing stars inthe said white field, individual golden portrait bearing stars for the dead, and individual silver portrait bearing stars for those disabled and incapacitated from further service.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

CHARLES A. BOWMAN, JR.

Commissioner of PatentsA

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