Flap patch for 1955 Area 5E Conclave hosted by lodge 479 predates First Flap
Location: Baton Rouge, LA. The Quinipissa Lodge 479 S1 issued in 1967 as the lodge’s First Flap is nearly impossible to find. Indeed, it is rated 10 out of 10 for difficulty by First Flaps in Color. Interestingly, Lodge 479 issued a different flap a dozen years before the conventional First Flap. Shown here is the patch issued by lodge 479 in 1955, when it hosted the 1955 Area VE conclave. Note that this flap-shaped patch was the official patch for all participants in the conclave — not just the members of of Quinipissa Lodge. While a rare circumstance, there exist a few other examples of conclave flaps that predate conventional First Flaps. Ones that come to mind are Chequah Lodge 194 in 1956 (“Bear Paw” flap for Area 7B), Nayawin Rar Lodge 296 in 1952 and again in 1957 (both for Area 6A), and Shenshawpotoo Lodge 276 in 1954 (the famous “apple” flap for Area 3C). See also the separate listing for Lodge 264 F1. Will be mailed with tracking J.