Russian-American Company Flag
Between 1799 and 1867 Russian America was governed by the Russian-American Company. The flag flown by the Company's ships and their shore establishments was Russia's commercial flag (civil ensign).
On September 28th, (October 10th, new style)1806, Aleksandr I, Emperor of Russia made a notation on the design submitted to him of a new flag for the Russian-American Company; "So be it", and added his cypher, thereby approving the first flag in Russia's history to be used by an Imperial chartered company." After Imperial confirmation the ukaz was heard in the Senate and on 19 October 1806 was sent for execution to the main office of the Russian-American Company, (RAC) and also to the Admiralty and Commerce colleges"
The new Company flag design of 1806 placed the Imperial eagle in the upper left quarter of Russia's commercial flag. In order that the State symbol remain unobstructed and more visible the width of the white stripe was enlarged to cover roughly one half of the flag's width. The normal width proportions of Russia's commercial flag were equal thirds. The Imperial eagle carried a scroll which dipped into the blue stripe, also for more visibility, which read, in abbreviated form "Russian American Company's". The symbolism of the scroll beneath the Imperial eagle compliments the official version of the Company's name "Russian-American Company Under His Imperial Majesty's Protection"
The flag flew over the company's holdings in California until January 1st, 1842, and over Alaska until October 18th, 1867, when all Russian-American Company holdings in Alaska were sold to the United States..
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