Pennant questions, a little O/T

[Hankphenom]

When I got this, I was disappointed it didn't have the brightness and whiteness as in the picture under the lights, but not enough to return as I still love it. I assume there's no such thing as dry cleaning old pennants, right? And would anybody like to take a guess as to its age? I'd guess somewhere between the 30s and the 50s, perhaps into the 60s?

[ooo-ribay]

On page 81 of the “Hey, pennant guys” thread, there’s a picture of a dry cleaned pennant. I wouldn’t recommend it. That said, a lot of us “pennant guys” have cleaned pennants with good results. It’s a long thread, but there’s lot of good info in there.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

On page 81 of the “Hey, pennant guys” thread, there’s a picture of a dry cleaned pennant. I wouldn’t recommend it. That said, a lot of us “pennant guys” have cleaned pennants with good results. It’s a long thread, but there’s lot of good info in there.

Thanks much, Rob, I'll check it out. Any guess on age?

[thetahat]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Thanks much, Rob, I'll check it out. Any guess on age?

My guess is 100-120 years old. Likely pre-dates silk screening. Very nice!

[ooo-ribay]

What’s the size, Hank?

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

What’s the size, Hank?

30", with extremely long tassles, if that's any clue. Would the fact that it's all wool (wool on felt?), with no paint, make it a more likely candidate for dry cleaning, or just too old and fragile to take a chance on that? I'd sure hate to screw it up somehow, and it's perfectly acceptable as is.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by thetahat

My guess is 100-120 years old. Likely pre-dates silk screening. Very nice!

Wow, I never would have guessed that kind of age. Thanks, Greg.

[bocca001]

I've never tried to clean a wool pennant, but, thus far, my experience has been that pennants don't really like being cleaned. Sometimes they come out better after quick/mild cleaning, but they are easy to harm. I'd say that I screw one up for every one that I improve. Usually I only try to clean them if they are really bad.

[Hankphenom]

I wouldn't think of doing anything to this one for fear of damage to the paint.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by bocca001

I've never tried to clean a wool pennant, but, thus far, my experience has been that pennants don't really like being cleaned. Sometimes they come out better after quick/mild cleaning, but they are easy to harm. I'd say that I screw one up for every one that I improve. Usually I only try to clean them if they are really bad.

Sounds like excellent advice. Thanks, Marc.

[thetahat]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Wow, I never would have guessed that kind of age. Thanks, Greg.

Sure. I assume that it pre-dated silk screening which was commercialized around 1911. And speaking for myself, I think it looks great. Has a nice natural aged look to it that adds, not detracts, to the pennant.

[Fballguy]

I don't think either pennant is quite a 120 years old but I think both look fantastic just the way they are and it would be a mistake to try to improve them.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Fballguy

I don't think either pennant is quite a 120 years old but I think both look fantastic just the way they are and it would be a mistake to try to improve them.

Thanks again, Marc and Rob, I will follow your sage advice. Once again, Net54 comes to the rescue!