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Reading, Pennsylvania (U.S.)

Berks County

Flag image by Masao Okazaki, 14 June 2022		Flag Detail image by Masao Okazaki, 14 June 2022

Description of the flag
Photos of the flag
Seal

See also:

Description of the flag

The city of Reading is the county seat of Berks County in eastern Pennsylvania. It is famous as the birthplace of the American frontiersman, explorer, and pioneer Daniel Boone. It was for nearly two centuries a center of the textile industry, but for the past two decades it has been known for its mill shops and discount stores.
Ron Lahav, 6 February 2009

The city adopted its flag in 1898. You can read the article with full description (but no picture) here: news.google.com:

The Reading Eagle, January 28, 1913
"Reading's municipal flag; adopted in 1898"
Reading has a beautiful city flag, of which its citizens feel proud. Reading's patriotic pride is evidenced in its emblem, which was adopted in 1898, the year that the city celebrated its sesqui-centennial or 150th anniversary.
To the Board of Trade must be given the credit of having a city flag. W.M. Deisher was chairman of the committee to select a suitable flag. H.M.M. Richards, who was recognized as an authority on heraldry, was a member of the committee and designed the flag. Mr. Richards is now treasurer of the American Iron and Steel Company in Lebanon and comes from a family which has figured prominently in the affairs of the American revolution. His knowledge of historic events was an important factor in the selection of an emblem.
The flag as it is today was executed by Bailey, Banks & Biddle, of Philadelphia, and was adopted by Councils as the official standard of the city.
The flag consists of three vertical stripes, red, white and blue, the colors of the Union, representing the patriotism of the people, who have taken an important part in the affairs of the city, state and union. In the center of this field of red, white and blue is a coat of arms. Bears Arms of the Penn Family.

From GoReadingBerks:

Its description is as follows:
   Escutcheon - The black shield and gold band combine the colors of the Old German Empire, representing the birthplace of the majority of the city's people. In the center of the shield is displayed the arms of the Penn family, who were the proprietors of Reading and laid out the city. The beehive indicates the busy industrial center which the city has become. The salamander in the midst of a flame shows that its prosperity is principally dependent upon furnaces of every description.
   Supporters - The figures supporting the shield are emblematic of labor, which has always been the pride and support of Reading and the source of its prosperity. Thor and Vulcan were selected to represent Labor, because of their association with fire and metals.
   Crest - The staff of Mercury is used for a crest because it is the symbol of constant activity. The staff issues from a mural crown representing a city, and indicative of the position Reading occupies in the Commonwealth.
   Motto - The motto "Deo Adjuvante Labor Proficit," is Latin, and translated means "Labor profits with the help of God," it being a fitting motto for a people who thrive and prosper under God's care.
   The flag has been honored on several occasions. It is used as a means to arouse civic pride. Recently a beautiful silk flag of Reading was presented to the Pennsylvania Society of New York, when it was greatly admired by all who saw it. A copy of the flag in colors was printed in the year book of the society.

Valentin Poposki, 13 March 2010

Photos of the flag

Flag image by Chris Bedwell, 2 March 2014		Flag Detail image by Chris Bedwell, 2 March 2014

A photo of the flag of Reading can be on this change.org page asking for a new flag: https://www.change.org/p/city-council-reading-pa-change-the-city-flag-of-reading-pa
https://assets.change.org/photos/8/aw/wv/HtAWwVSKwTDlIYW-1600x900-noPad.jpg?1564617707

The flag is also seen in this June 2022 news video:
https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/flag-ceremony-honors-life-of-former-reading-mayor-joseph-eppihimer/article_65728a44-e8dc-11ec-a250-eb3ded55a169.html
https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/wfmz.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/b0/9b0b57f2-e8dd-11ec-b0be-f3fbd3d66a18/62a376f531977.image.jpg?resize=1778%2C1000

Both flags show a seal with less color and a vertical tricolor with the bars of either equal width or with a wider white bar.

Masao Okazaki, 14 June 2022

Seal

image located by Paul Bassinson, 22 November 2019

Source: https://www.readingpa.gov/
Paul Bassinson, 22 November 2019