The Service Banner (2/9/08)
United States Army Captain Robert L. Queissner of the Fifth Ohio Infantry was proud of his two sons. They, like him, were serving in the military during World War I, most likely overseas. To honor their commitment in service, he designed a simple small banner in 1917 that showed two blue stars on a white background and displayed it at home. More >>

Unique 37 star U.S. flag (2/6/08)
The 37 star U.S. flag was created in 1867 for the admission of Nebraska as a state. It lasted until the admission of Colorado in 1876. This flag, though, was quite unique. It was made using a patented resist-dye process on wool bunting. You can see the silk screen-like look in the stars in the closeup photos. More >>

Living Glory, Collecting Pain (2/4/08)
Injuries are a part of any professional player’s day. Much has been made of the injuries to quarterback Tom … More >>

Good Flag, Bad Flag: Five Ways to Design a Good Flag (2/2/08)
There really is no such thing as a bad flag. Any time a community reaches out to symbolize their past, their achievements, and their people is a good thing. Still, there are ways for your community to be remembered more easily when it comes to your flag design. So, here are five basic things to remember: 1. Keep it Simple: A flag should be so simple a child can draw it from memory… More >>

Viktor Schreckengost Dies at 101 (2/1/08)
He wasn’t particularly well known, but he liked it that way. Yet, Viktor Schreckengost was considered an American Da Vinci because, as an industrial designer over 70 years, he is personally responsible for many of our collectibles today. More >>

Camp David (1/28/08)
It is hard to get away if you’re the president of the United States, at least so I’ve heard. I have no trouble getting away myself. But then, I don’t have an entourage of people following me around everywhere I go, some with firearms. More >>

The Ultimate White House Collectible (1/28/08)
After all of that pomp and ceremony, you would think that at least one of the people who attended the laying of the cornerstone of the President’s House would remember where they put it. If you weren’t one of the Freemasons who attended the ceremony on October 13, 1792 to lay the cornerstone at the President’s House, then let me tell you what happened. More >>

Are you wearing the real George W. Bush? (1/28/08)
You look good. Very good. Crisp, white shirt with cobalt blue studs and cobalt blue, official presidential George W. Bush cuff links to match. Black tie and tux. Wonderful overcoat and cashmere scarf. Your new shoes shined to perfection. Limousine waiting. Your date is matching perfection. Ready to attend the President’s State of the Union speech? More >>

Flag of Iraq to Change (1/24/08)
The Associated Press today announced that Iraq’s parliament voted to change the national flag of Iraq. The current national flag (on the top far left) consists of three horizontal stripes of red, white, and black with three green stars in the white stripe with the Takbir, the words ‘Allahu Akbar’ or ‘God is Great’, in green stylized Arabic calligraphy in between the stars. More >>

Secret Service Collectibles Part II (1/20/08)
This is an expanded list of Secret Service collectibles, particularly as it relates to the declassified security pins worn by VIPs within the White House compound. They are occasionally numbered. More >>