Leeward Islands

Last modified: 1997-09-03 by filip van laenen
Keywords: leeward islands | united kingdom |
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• Description of the flag

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• Colonies of the United Kingdom

A few years ago I came across an antique Union Flag (sewn wool bunting, approx. 18 by 36 inches) with the badge of the Leeward Islands painted on a white disk in the center. The badge is badly designed: a seashore, a body of water with two ships afloat, and more land upon the horizon. Sitting on shore is a large pineapple (approx 3 to 4 times the height of either ship) with three smaller pineapples sitting nearby. Floating above this surrealistic scene is the Coat-of-arms of the UK (with supporters, of course.) Upon doing some research into this latest addition to my collection I discovered that the badge was designed by an early Colonial Governor, Sir Benjamin Pine, and the pineapples are apparently a pun on his family name, the big fruit representing the Governor himself, and the little pineapples for his family. In my opinion, the Governor should have had his artistic license revoked.

Nick Artimovich, 1996-FEB-21

The scales are all wrong - the "mutant" pineapple is several times larger than the further pineapples, rather more than perspective should allow, and the nearer ship is smaller than the further one!

Roy Stilling, 1996-FEB-21