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Historical Flags 1961 Pattern (Social Democratic Party, Germany)

Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands, SPD

3:5
by Marcus Schmöger

Description
Vertical Flag
Car and Bycicle Pennant
Executive Committee Flag

See also:

Historical Flags 1863-1980 (Social Democratic Party / Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands, Germany)
Germany

Description

In 1961 the SPD introduced a new type of font for their flags, namely a more rectangular type of letters. This flag came in several varieties, described in a folder issued by the Public Relations department:

A standard flag —to be hoisted or attached to a staff for demonstrations— usually in 3:5 proportions;
A hanging flag in proportions 2:1 to 3:1;
Several types of pennants for use by hikers, cyclists or on automobiles. However, these pennants did not gain much popularity, as Rabbow 1965 points out.

In all these flags the letters are white, only the Executive Committee was entitled to use a flag with yellow letters.

As I already pointed out when dealing with CDU party flags, arising 'logomania' around 1970 led to a decreasing use of proper flags. Public Relations departments devised new logos for almost every new campaign; these logos usually could be put on flags as well. So it is difficult to decide when was the 1961 pattern replaced by a different one. Probably around 1980 the new pattern came into being: thicker white letters 'SPD' on red. This is in use up to now.

Marcus Schmöger, 6 October 2001

Vertical Flag

5:2

by Marcus Schmöger

Car and Bycicle Pennant

2:3
by Marcus Schmöger

Executive Committee Flag

3:5
by Marcus Schmöger

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