Saga's budget-priced label EP label from the early '70s, apparently aimed at the same market as Avenue and Forest (both q.v.); though, if the comparative rarity of its records is any guide, Flag doesn't seem to have been as successful as those two. The large '15' '16' and '17' on the examples above are in fact their catalogue numbers. Flag received its sole mention in the Trade press in 'Record Retailer' of the 11th of December 1971, which said that Saga had launched it as a 'Mini LP' series. According to the article there were eleven records in the initial batch, and they were priced at 29p. Different coloured labels were intended for different categories, and at that time the series was intended 'almost exclusively' for export - which may explain the rarity of the EPs. Flag records came in a company sleeve, which, presumably in an attempt to boost sales, featured pictures of various naked ladies (6); the company identification was on the back (7). Of the sleeve, not of the lady. The pictures were details from Flag or Boulevard album sleeves - Boulevard was an album-only label from the same family. In addition to the examples shown above there was a red label for Classical music. Catalogue numbers reached at least 26, but I haven't seen any lower than 10. Any clue as to the identities of FLAGs 19, 22 and 24 would be welcome.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.