Australia. Australian Merchant Ships Red Ensign

Screen-printed in red and blue inks, on a thin white cotton linen, the Australian Red Ensign predominantly a red version of the Australian National Flag, using the same shade of red as the Cross of Saint George which is part of the Union Jack present in the canton, the seven-pointed Commonwealth/Federation Star below, the Southern Cross in the fly half, with a 15 mm wide hoist sleeve, a piece of tape capping the top of the hoist sleeve, measuring 790 mm (w) x 400 mm (h), exhibiting scattered holes and discolouration from active use, along with fold marks, worn.

Footnote: The Australian Red Ensign is the civil ensign of Australia, the flag of nationality flown by Australian registered ships. It is a red version of the national flag, which is mainly blue. Both flags resulted from the Commonwealth Government's 1901 Federal Flag Design Competition which required two entries: an ensign for Commonwealth Government use and another for the merchant navy. The winning design for the merchant ensign was based on the traditional British Red Ensign and featured the Southern Cross and Commonwealth Star. The original design using a six-pointed Federation Star was adopted on February 11, 1903 and in use as of September 3, 1901. This was altered on February 23, 1908 to the use of the current seven-pointed Commonwealth/Federation Star version. It was the official flag to be flown at sea by Australian registered merchant ships.