Last modified: 2004-12-28 by dov gutterman
Keywords: italy | elba | elba principality | tuscany | napoleon | bee | gemini islands | giglio | livorno |
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by Roberto Breschi from CISV
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Flag of Comunità di Elba based on Vex. It., 2, 2002.
Roberto Breschi from CISV
by Jaume Olle', 13 October 1998
In 1814 Elba Island was asignated to Napoleon as principality.
Napoleon adopted flag and also standard. This is the flag. The
standard is similar, but square (only three bees) and the
diagonal orange stripe is placed from hoist to fly without
touching any part of the top or bottom.
Jaume Olle' 13 October 1998
Ivan Sache, 5 June 1999
Emperor Napoleon I had to abdicate due to de defection of his
marshals. He received by the treaty of Fontainebleau 4-6 April
1814) the sovereignty of Elbe island, a tlny island off the coast
of Tuscany, Italy. He "reigned" there from 3 May 1814
to 26 February 1815. He escaped the British surveillance and came
back to France for the so-called Cent-Jours period (until 22 June
1815, when he abdicated for the second and last time, and was
definitively exiled to St Helena island, without any
sovereignty).
The flags used during the Elbe period are reportes by G. Lemistre
in Franciae Vexilla, #14/60 (June 1999). "When Napoleon was
exiled to Elbe island, a flag for this territory had to be
designed. The French tricolour caould not be used because it was
the emblem of the French Empire, which no longer existed.
Napoleon was inspired by ancient arms of Tuscany, dating to
Cosimo I [1519-1574, first great-duke of Tuscany], which were
'd'argent a bande de gueules'. The flag of the island was a
nearly square [6:7 on the image] white field with a red diagonal
stripe charged with three flying bees. The width of the red
stripe was about 1/3 of the hoist width The
hoist finial was a pike. This is an image of it.
The tiny navy of the island has an ensign. The ensign was an
horizontal red-white-red triband with the flag of the island in
canton. Mr. Traditi, Mayor of Porto-Ferraio (the island capital)
still owns one ofthese ensigns.
The personal standard of Napoleon was charged with a crowned 'N',
in gold thread. The sailors had on their cap a white and red
cockade."
Ivan Sache, 5 June 1999
W. Smith show flag with four bees. Franciae Vexilla with only
three. Probably no regulation exist and both can be corrects. The
color of the bees is gold. The diagonal stripe show generally
red, but Paul Gruyer in "Napoleon roi de l'Ile d'Elbe"
(Hachette 1936) say that the color is orange (that must be
darknessed by the time)
Jaume Olle', 1 August 1999
by Jaume Olle', 7 November 1998
A flag of Tuscany for use in Elba, has the Elba principality
flag in the canton (in the upper red stripe).
Jaume Olle', 13 October 1998
by Jaume Ollé, 21 Febuary 2003
No. 264 - Elba commercial.
Source: [stb62]
Jaume Ollé, 20 Febuary 2003
by Alessandro Segnini (from <www.geminiislands.org>),
23 Febuary 2001
And the bees on the flag probably refer to the Napoleonian
bees, from the time where Napoleon was exiled on Elba Island
(1814-1815).
Ivan Sache, 23 Febuary 2001
They're pinpoints just SE of Elba according to Stielers
Handatlas (1910)
Jarig Bakker, 23 Febuary 2001
You can take a look at those two rocks outside the south coast
of Elba. See: <www.infoelba.com>.
Dov Gutterman, 23 Febuary 2001
Reading the web page is highlighting: Gemini Islands County is
not a micronation, just an association whose aim is to protect an
area which is located within the borders of the Elba National
Park. At the beginning of the document is clearly stated that:
"Associazione Indipendente". This is translated as
Council, but it is actually a private society. It is not clear if
they have any sort of official status. I would say that their
flag is that of a private group of citizens. In fact they say
that the territory is part of the Italian State and under its
suzerainty.
Pier Paolo Lugli, 27 Febuary 2001
Flagmaster 102 show the flag of Gemini Islands County
(Italia) that I believe before that was an unexistent
micronation, but quoted as autonomous islands.
Jaume Olle', 18 May 2002
The 'Gemini Islands County' is an indepentent entity, meaning
that it does not acknowledge any authority in its inside, except
for that being carried by the President's and the Council's
decisions, however in respect of national and international laws,
obviously, as its Statute declares in its 2nd article.
It is not an independent nation, but this is very clearly shown
in the web site.
A. Segnini, 9 July 2002
Be aware that in the very same page there is some confusion
about the two rocks close to the Elba coast called Gemini
(Twins). There is a reference about a nation on those rocks: in
reality there is a curious private association referring to the
rocks, but no nation or even micronation over there!
Flagmaster has also published a correction to the article
appeared on number 102 to clarify the mistake.
Pier Paolo Lugli, 9 August 2004