While cleaning out the cottage, my grandparents found this flag/banner. The research we have done suggests that it may be a WWI era banner with the Canadian red ensign dating about 1907?
My questions are:
Thanks in advance. We'd really like to display and preserve this little piece of history properly.
That is the Canadian flag used between 1868–1921. If it is a welcome home banner (can you take some images of the seams/edges?) then it's an awesome piece of history. (it looks similar to pieces the national war museum has on display)
The best way to preserve it is a dry mount in a custom frame with archival glass. I would recommend contacting the Canadian war museum in ottawa they might have further information on this also they might be interested in acquiring it.
The Red Ensign (in all it's variations through the years) maintained the "unofficial flag" status while the Union Jack kept on as the official flag. So, would it be unreasonable for a welcome home banner to have both? Not at all. It's actually pretty reasonable. Go get it appraised.