WW11 Souvenir Jap Flag

[painter777]

My Daughter in law's Grandfather served with the Second Marine Division in WW11.
His name John Marquette.
I'm just starting to look over his records so bare with me.
But upon first opening a book he had in his collection, the flag below fell out, which was folded and wrapped in cellophane.
It measures 34" wide X 26" tall, having just the outer side edges stitched.
Left side top and bottom edges have leather corners sewn on with 2 short tie strings attached to each leather corner.

It's frail..... I don't want to fold it back up.
Any thoughts as to how to get the folds out?
Any Display Ideas?
Can anyone help translate any of it?
I assume the Good Luck wishes were painted on, doubt there were Sharpies back then.
So I've gotta keep that in mind when/if I attempt to get the folds out AKA like steaming..... Would that effect the paint? Asking all of these questions because I just don't know.

In the same book I found a picture of a Marine holding another one. It appears he is holding his upside down.

TIA,
Charlie-Painter777

Full View


Top Left

Top Right


Bottom Left

Bottom Right


Leather corners sewn on with 2 short tie strings


Left and Right Edges are sewn. No stitching at the top or bottom edges. Flag is very lightweight.








Page 73:
"Jap Battle Flag is exhibited by proud Marine who captured it in a Japanese bivouac area west of Kokumbona. The Melanesians seem uninterested. Flags and samurai swords were most highly prized souvenirs."



The Book:

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

I'd frame it and hang it where little sunlight could bleach it. Put it behind glass.

[painter777]

BAR,
Do you think I should just press it between something to get rid of the folds/wrinkles?
Or try to lightly steam it while hanging?

Looking for suggestions..........

Thanks
Charlie-Painter777

[browningautorifle]

I thought about steaming but I'm not sure it won't lighten the signatures. I'd just carefully stretch it tight under the glass and leave it like that.

[25-5]

Conservation and restoration of flags and banners - Wikipedia

[browningautorifle]

Wiki didn't really answer anything, kind of stepped around it all.

[mike1967]

Im with Jim, just frame it under front and back glass, the creases will sort themselves out. If you try fiddle with it you may cause irreversible damage. A good picture framer will sort it out for not a great deal of money.

Regards

Mike

[enfield303t]

You can have it framed using acid free backing and and a special grade of glass (UV protection) that will help prevent fading. Have a picture done like that and its worth the cost. Any good framing shop should tell you what you need. I wouldn't worry too much about the wrinkles.

A high quality framer could sandwich it between two pieces of museum or conservation quality glass and then you could see both sides of the flag. Get it framed properly, it won't be cheap.

Hang it out of direct sunlight.

[Flying10uk]

I wondered about sandwiching the flag between 2 thick pieces of plywood, say 1" thick ply, with white paper between the flag and the plywood. Then put heavy weights on top of the uppermost piece of ply wood and leave it for a couple of weeks or so. I certainly wouldn't apply any heat or steam to it.

[Badger]

Beautiful piece of history Charlie ..

Regards,
Doug