Car flagpole. Beautifully crafted, 24.5cm long and 12cm wide, chrome stainless steel pennant pole. Because of the remarkable quality of the workmanship, we can assume that this pennant was intended for an official vehicle of the government fleet. Only the Head of State was entitled to display a francisque flagpole with his car's pennant. It is more than likely that our flagpole was made for use with the Head of State's road pennant, which was made of etamine, as he had a specific flagpole for his city pennant, which was made of embroidered silk. It is possible that a steel flagpole was made for the road pennant. The statement by André Bardin, a former police inspector, that this flagpole came from a vehicle belonging to Marechal Petain takes on its full meaning. The francisque is carefully secured in a wooden box with a felt-covered lining. On the lid is a small inlaid brass plaque reading ETAT FANCAIS VICHY 1940-1944. Attached is a photocopy of a letter from André Bardin, who lives in Vichy, acknowledging that he has given up an emblem from a car that he himself recovered in 1944 when he was a police inspector. A very interesting piece of history. Vehicle pennant staff in chrome-plated stainless steel of exceptional quality, measuring 24.5 cm in length and 12 cm in width. Due to its remarkable craftsmanship, this staff was probably intended for an official government vehicle. Only the Chief of State had the right to display a francisque staff with his car pennant. It is highly probable that this staff was made to accompany the road pennant of the Chief of State, which was made of etamine fabric, while the city version used a silk-embroidered pennant. A steel version may have been specially created for the road pennant. A statement from Andre Bardin, a former police inspector, attests that the staff came from Marshal Petain's vehicle. The francisque is carefully preserved in a wooden case with a felt-lined interior. A small brass plaque on the lid is engraved with the inscription ETAT FRANcAIS VICHY 1940-1944. Included is a photocopy of a letter by Andre Bardin, a resident of Vichy, confirming he personally retrieved the emblem in 1944 while serving as a police inspector. This is a very historically significant piece.