Nazi Flags Sold in San Francisco

A leading flag manufacturer that sells flags to the State of California and the city of San Francisco also manufactures and sells the red, white and black swastika flag of Nazi Germany, the San Francisco Jewish Bulletin disclosed. Nazi swastika armbands are also sold over the counter–or under–by a concessionaire at a local F.W. Woolworth Variety Store, the Bulletin’s assistant editor Phil Bronstein reported.

The Paramount Flag Co. does over $4000 a year in business with the State, according to the State purchasing manager Frank Oliver, and the city buys from $1200-$1500 worth of flags from the firm, senior buyer Ray Erikson said.

Jeff Sutter, manager of Paramount, acknowledged that the firm manufactures the Nazi emblem, which is not illegal. But, he told the Bulletin, it does so on special order and does not advertise the item. He said Paramount sells only a few dozen Nazi flags a year in addition to sales to a Los Angeles outlet that supplies film companies with replicas of the flags. Paramount also carries other Nazi emblems including the SS flag and Herman Goering’s personal standard.

At Woolworth’s, Don Gotlieb, who is Jewish, Bronstein reported, sells the Nazi armband at his concession, the profits of which he shares with Woolworth’s. “Originally, Gotlieb sold the armbands displayed on the counter along with buttons, coins, masks and bumper stickers he regularly sells. But Gotlieb says his father, who is an observant Jew, complained bitterly as did a customer and Gotlieb removed the armbands to a drawer under the counter and now sells them “on request,” Bronstein reported.