{"product_id":"vintage-rhode-island-state-patch-nos-felt-souvenir-shield-gold-anchor-13-stars","title":"Vintage Rhode Island State Patch ⚓ NOS Felt Souvenir Shield, Gold Anchor 13 Stars","description":"\u003cp\u003eRhode Island is the smallest state in the country and it put an anchor on its flag. There is a reason, and it is older than the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e⚓ WHAT THIS IS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA shield-shaped souvenir patch, 2 1\/2\" x 1 3\/4\", worked in gold on cream felt. A gold-bordered banner across the top reads RHODE ISLAND. At the centre sits a gold foul anchor — an anchor with its rope wrapped round the shank — with a solid navy ribbon behind it, and around the whole device a ring of \u003cstrong\u003ethirteen\u003c\/strong\u003e gold stars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🏴 WHY AN ANCHOR\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe anchor has stood for Rhode Island since the colony's founding in \u003cstrong\u003e1636\u003c\/strong\u003e. On \u003cstrong\u003e4 May 1664\u003c\/strong\u003e the General Assembly adopted a seal bearing an anchor with the word HOPE above it, and the pairing has never left.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo record from the time explains why that particular word was chosen. The explanation generally given traces it to Hebrews 6:18–19 — *hope we have as an anchor of the soul*. A colony founded by people who had been thrown out of somewhere else for what they believed, choosing an anchor and the word hope, is not a difficult sentence to read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e⭐ WHY THIRTEEN STARS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe current state flag was adopted on \u003cstrong\u003e1 November 1897\u003c\/strong\u003e: a white field, a gold anchor, a blue ribbon beneath it carrying HOPE in gold letters, and thirteen gold stars in a circle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe thirteen do double duty. They are the original thirteen colonies — and Rhode Island was the \u003cstrong\u003ethirteenth state to ratify the Constitution\u003c\/strong\u003e, holding out longer than anyone else. The state that was last to sign put the number on its flag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e📌 ONE HONEST NOTE ABOUT THE RIBBON\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the flag, the blue ribbon under the anchor carries the word HOPE. \u003cstrong\u003eOn this patch the ribbon is blank.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 2 1\/2\" there is no room to embroider a legible motto, so the design keeps the shape and drops the lettering. We would rather tell you that than let you assume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e✅ CONDITION\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew old stock. Unused, little to no wear, never sewn to anything. The gold is bright and unfaded, the felt is clean and full, and the embroidered border is intact all the way round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse is open plain-weave scrim showing the mirrored stitch bleed. \u003cstrong\u003eNo adhesive, no iron-on backing\u003c\/strong\u003e — this is a sew-on patch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorth saying plainly, because the market for these is mostly not like this: vintage Rhode Island souvenir patches usually turn up described as ripped, distressed or as-is. This one is none of those.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🖼️ WHAT PEOPLE DO WITH THESE\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSewn to a denim jacket, a travel bag, a jacket sleeve or a hat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFramed in a grid with other state shields — they were made to be collected that way\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGiven to someone from Rhode Island, or someone who spent summers there\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKept in a shadow box with a map, a ferry ticket or a shell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e❓ QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it say HOPE?\u003c\/strong\u003e No — the ribbon on this patch is blank. The word appears on the state flag and seal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy thirteen stars?\u003c\/strong\u003e The original thirteen colonies, and Rhode Island being the thirteenth state to ratify the Constitution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it iron-on?\u003c\/strong\u003e No — sew-on. No adhesive backing at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it a reproduction?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. Unused original stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a foul anchor?\u003c\/strong\u003e An anchor with its rope or cable wrapped around the shank. It is the traditional heraldic form, and it is what Rhode Island uses.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintage and Antique Gifts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49055509643496,"sku":"VAG-9636727718120","price":13.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0597\/2718\/4037\/files\/v2_rhode_island_1_IMG_7929.jpg?v=1789166336","url":"https:\/\/vintageantiquesgifts.com\/products\/vintage-rhode-island-state-patch-nos-felt-souvenir-shield-gold-anchor-13-stars","provider":"Vintage and Antique Gifts","version":"1.0","type":"link"}