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A letter to the editor is provided in response to an obituary for American vexillologist Whitney Smith in the December 10, 2016 issue.

An obituary for American flag enthusiast and vexillologist Whitney Smith, Jr. is presented.

During the last two centuries the authenticity of Francisco Pizarro’s Banner of Arms preserved by the National Museum of Colombia has been under discussion. The Banner collected in 1825 by General Sucre, has been catalogued as an unique object part of the history in the reunion of two societies, the Old and the New World. By first time a multi-analytical research is done to the Banner. Chromatographic, spectroscopic and microscopic techniques are combined with radiocarbon dating to characterize the different material components of the object and clarified it age and provenance. The analytic results with the historical documentation, allow to postulate that the Banner comes from an European manufacture, around the 16th century, arriving to America’s lands possibly by Pizarro’s expedition. Nevertheless, the Banner does not represent to Pizarro. In contrast, by the Banner manufacture, elements (weaved degummed silk, natural dyes (brazil wood, cochineal, indigotin and luteolin base) and silver gilded threads) and the coat of arms present on it, it is possible to postulate that the Banner represents the Royal Banner of the America’s Conquest under the Crown of the King of Spain Charles V to symbolize his Realm in the New World.

One year ago at the TED conference in Vancouver, 99% Invisible host Roman Mars sat down to give an unconventional talk, calling attention to the oft-overlooked world of flag design. His presentation (above) highlighted some excellent flag designs that follow the simple and universal rules of good flag design. It also called into question some dubious designs in need of

Pedro Julio Dousdebés (1883-1954) was a general in the Colombian army. In 1937 he published a document-based history of the flags and emblems of Colombia from colonial days forward. His work was published in Spanish in the bulletin of the Colombian Academy of History. Working from an original in the Whitney Smith Flag Research Center Collection at the University of Texas, the Flag Heritage Foundation commissioned a translation by Michael F. Hammer. It is published here with all its original color plates, plus a preface and a historical introduction by David F. Phillips, a commentary by Gustavo Tracchia, four maps, 183 footnotes, and 20 additional illustrations in color and 24 in black and white. It is the first book on this subject in English.

English translation of Željko Heimer's PhD thesis. This book presents vexillology as an interdisciplinary scientific field in which sociology has an important role, and it highlights the importance of vexillological research as a sociological tool for research into aspects of social reality. It presents a theoretical framework of vexillology, expressed through, among others, the 19 principles of vexillology articulated by Whitney Smith. The framework was applied to the modern Croatian military unit flags, researching over 350 flags, exploring an important aspect of military identity in modern Croatia. The author is president of the Croatian Heraldic and Vexillological Association (HGZD), editor of its journal, Grb i zastava, and a lieutenant colonel in the Croatian Armed Forces. The editor is the past longtime editor of the North American Vexillological Association’s journal Raven. Richly illustrated with well over 200 flag images in full color, this book belongs on the bookshelves of lovers of flags, militaria, and Croatian history.

Covering the period from the beginning of the Cold War to the installation of the International Space Station, this book documents a rare collection: almost 250 mission patches worn by Soviet and Russian cosmonauts since 1963. Alexander Glushko, one of the leading specialists in the history of manned space flight and rocket technology in Russia, presents numerous emblems with individual explanations in their applied context: as patches worn on spacesuits. The collection not only comprises partially forgotten mission patches, but also includes rare photographs of spacecraft crews and space stations. As well as providing additional historical information, the collection also retraces the formation and development of Soviet and Russian symbolism in terms of space travel and brings the history of cosmic heraldry to life.

La fin de l'Union soviétique en décembre 1991 a constitué un bouleversement majeur de notre période contemporaine. L'un des changements les plus visibles, et pour cause puisqu'il concerne les drapeaux, aura été le renouvellement complet des couleurs et des symboles dans cet immense espace. Loin d'avoir surgi ex-nihilo après l'abaissement du drapeau rouge, les couleurs de la Russie ont un long parcours, fait autant d'heures de gloire que de secrets. Voyage initiatique dans le blanc-bleu-rouge russe par un spécialiste du sujet. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991 marked a major upheaval of the contemporary era. One of the most visible changes—and understandably so, given that it concerns flags—was the complete renewal of colors and symbols across this vast region. Far from having emerged out of nothing following the lowering of the Red Flag, Russia’s colors possess a long history—one filled as much with moments of glory as with secrets. An initiatory journey into the Russian white, blue, and red, guided by an expert on the subject.

As we head to Boston in October 2017, we mark a significant historic occasion for our Association—the fiftieth annual meeting. It takes on even greater importance, however, as it is also the first formal gathering of the group since the passing of the Association’s Founder, Whitney Smith, on November 16, 2016, at the age of 76. This year in particular we should all pause to realize the extraordinary magnitude of Dr. Smith’s accomplishment. We should honor his memory by being diligent and thoughtful vexillologists.

Inventory of the flags for each of NAVA's annual meetings. Includes a color photograph of each flag and details about symbolism.

Inventory of flags in NAVA's collection. Includes color photographs of the flags.

Inventory of the officer flags of the North American Vexillological Association, and the personal flag of Whitney Smith. Includes color photographs of the flags and explanations of the symbolism.

this 1967 article by Dr. Smith addresses the difference between the flag as designed (the ideal flag) and the flag as manufactured (the real flag). It was originally printed in The Proceedings of the Second International Congress of Vexillology: Recueil du IIe Congrès International de Vexillologie Zurich 1967 (Zurich: Société Suisse de Vexillologie, 1968). The copyright notice for that volume of the Proceedings is: © 1968 reserved for all the authors by the SOCIÉTÉ SUISSE DE VEXILLOLOGIE Zurich (Switzerland). To capture the spirit of Dr. Smith’s article, the original formatting has been retained.

Short article reflecting on the passing of Whitney Smith. Includes links to several obituaries that have been published about him.

An article by Dr. Smith (from 1967) addresses the difference between the flag as designed (the ideal flag) and the flag as manufactured (the real flag). It was originally printed in The Proceedings of the Second International Congress of Vexillology: Recueil du IIe Congrès International de Vexillologie Zurich 1967 (Zurich: Société Suisse de Vexillologie, 1968). The copyright notice for that volume of the Proceedings is: © 1968 reserved for all the authors by the SOCIÉTÉ SUISSE DE VEXILLOLOGIE Zurich (Switzerland). To capture the spirit of Dr. Smith’s article, the original formatting has been retained.

Introductary essay about NAVA's flag collection. Expalins the need for NAVA membership to examine the flags of the organization. Details the steps taken to photograph and document the flags in order to create the catalog.