Merritt B. Holley: the flag man

              Figure
MERRITT B. HOLLEY

THE FLAG MAN



PERMANENT ADDRESS
335 Washington Street TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN




Foreword



When a person can present to an audience in this present day, an idea clothed in a dress so original as to command instant attention he has achieved a certain fame that belongs to him and which no one can take away.  To accomplish this requires years of preparation, and the American public welcomes such an entertainment.  At the present time when patriotism has been aroused as never before in recent years, comes a man with a soul stirring message that appeals not only to the intellect and love of the homeland but is attractive to the eye as well.




If, when one sees the emblem of one's own country in all the majesty of color, the latent patriotism rises in instant salutation, words fail to express the amazement when 
Every Flag of Every Nation
 is displayed.




Think of a man spending almost a lifetime in gathering such a magnificent collection.





Merritt B. Holley



Of Traverse City, Michigan, has with patient, painstaking persistency called together some of the rarest flags in existence, from nearly every nation, kingdom and principality, including the private flags of Emperors, Kings, Princes and Potentates.




Mr. Holley's great message is the 
Story of the United States Flag,
 and to add emphasis he shows all the important changes that have taken place in our flag from the time of Columbus to the present, using forty-one flags for illustrations.  The many 
human interest
 stories that are related in connection, makes this one of the most attractive story-entertainments on the present day platform, and holds the interest of the audience to the very last.  From an educational standpoint it presents a wonderful study.  It is entertaining, instructive, patriotic, uplifting.






MERRITT B. HOLLEY, 
THE FLAG MAN

LECTURER ENTERTAINER

American Ambassadors, Foreign Diplomats, Missionaries and Foreign Workers have all aided in this collection.  Mr. Holley has in addition nearly seven hundred pennants, representing colleges, states, fraternal organizations and cities, together with Christian Endeavor emblems, weather flags and signal codes, which he uses for decorations.



Prof. E. L. Merrit, Principal of the Gloversville, N. Y., High School
—

One of the finest lessons in patriotism ever given to the students of our High School.  It was certainly inspiring and a rare treat.



Fred M. Ward, Secretary Gloversville (N. Y.) Lodge, B. P. O. E. No. 226
—

Mr. Holley's wonderful lecture on the 
Flags of the Nations
 was the most interesting and instructive I have ever listened to.



Alvah H. Rogers, Superintendent of the First M. E. Sunday School of Gloversville, N. Y.
—

It was certainly very instructive and highly entertaining and should be readily received in every locality, and I sincerely hope that you may again visit our city.




Thomas H. Jordan, General Secretary of the Utica, (N. Y.) Y. M. C. A.
—

From the appreciation of the audience, their marked attention, together with my own interest in his story, and his splendid exhibition, I heartily recommend his entertainment as novel, interesting, instructive and worth while.



Rev. Geo. H. Welch, Pastor of the Universalist Church of Gloversville, N. Y.
—

Mr. Holley brings to every audience a new inspiration with a vital meaning in every star and stripe of Old Glory.  I cannot commend it too highly to the youth of our land.



Rev. A. W. Johnstone, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Cadillac, Mich.
—

My people were intensely interested in the marvelous display of flags.  Mr. Holley's address was inspiring and highly educational.  His collection of nearly seven hundred pennants was a most novel idea for decorations.




E. L. Maines, General Secretary of the Amsterdam (N. Y.) Y. M. C. A.
—

Mr. Merritt B. Holley's collection of foreign and American flags is the finest I have ever seen.  His story-lecture and demonstration provides a fund of information not easily secured, and of much interest and exceeding value.



Frank L. Howe, Jr., General Secretary of the Gloversville (N. Y.) Y. M. C. A.
—

Mr. Holley's story-lecture is most unique and instructive.  It appealed to the patriotism of our young men.  We are doing our men a great service in bringing before them the growth of 
Old Glory
 in such an inspiring manner.



Rev. E. C. Platner, Pastor Baptist Church, Broadalbin, N. Y.
—

It is the best thing that has ever been here.  Any church or organization wanting something both entertaining and instructive should have it.  Our people are asking for you again, and I shall do all I can to bring it about.



The Utica (N. Y.) Press


—The Y. M. C. A. assembly room was filled last night with the audience that were surprised and pleased with the entertainment given by Merritt B. Holley, who gave a most interesting talk on the histories of the flags of the world.  The collection is the finest in the land and the pennant decoration the most unique ever seen in the city.



The Gloversville (N. Y.) Morning Herald


—Mr. Holley's address was an inspiring one and of great educational value.  Surely it was 
A story in color
 of the world's greatest collection of flags and pennants.  Nothing like it has ever been presented on any platform.



The Traverse City (Mich.) Record-Eagle


—Every one present felt that they had listened to an exceptionally instructive and interesting lecture, and many expressed the desire to hear more about the flags, as one evening is not long enough to hear of the great fund of information that the speaker had to give.



Rev. Dr. Francis E. Clark, President of the World's Christian Endeavor Union
—

Mr. Holley's collection of flags and pennants is unique.  I know of nothing like it.  He is an indefatigable collector and an enthusiastic student of his subject.  His lecture is most instructive and inspiring.



William Shaw, General Secretary of the United Society of Christian Endeavor
—

You made yourself famous with your 
Christian Endeavor Museum.
  You now have flags with histories attached more interesting than fiction.  Whatever you do you do thoroughly, and I know that your lecture and display will be a splendid success.  I want to hear it.



The Grand Rapids (Mich.) Herald


—One of the finest meetings ever held in the Park Congregational church was yesterday, (Lincoln's birthday) when Merritt B. Holley, of Traverse City, lectured on his 135 foreign and 41 American flags.  The finest display in existence.  The local Battalion, Michigan National Guard, were the guests of honor.



Chas. A. Forse, ex-President of Missouri State Sunday School Union, and ex-President of Missouri State Christian Endeavor Union
—

A young person's view of life may be broadened by contact with such a collection, and an older person may have food for thought for many a year.  By all means have Mr. Holley give this most unusual entertainment.



The Gloversville (N. Y.) Leader-Republican


—The unique entertainment that was given last night in the First M. E. Sunday school room is the outgrowth of thirty years of persistent collection by Merritt B. Holley.  The 
stories
 that Mr. Holley told of his work had a 
human interest
 that was intensely interesting, and the informal manner in which they were presented held the closest attention.



The Amsterdam (N. Y.) Recorder


—Merritt B. Holley, who has spent thirty years in collecting the flags of all nations, principalities, powers, colleges, cities and fraternal orders, last evening transformed the walls and ceilings of the assembly room of the Y. M. C. A. into a riot of colors, stringing flags and pennants over the length and breadth of the room.  Every one of the 138 foreign flags comes from the country it represents, which gives the collection its value.  Mr. Holley is rated as one of the best authorities in the United States on the subject of flags.




MERRITT B. HOLLEY, 
THE FLAG MAN

LECTURER ENTERTAINER

This unique entertainment has been successfully given under the auspices of the various religious denominations and Sunday Schools, Christian Endeavor Societies, Epworth Leagues, Baptist Young People's Unions, and other young people's societies, Young Men's Christian Associations, High Schools, Colleges and other Educational Institutions, Daughters of the American Revolution, Grand Army and W. R. C. Reunions, Masonic, Knights Templar, Knights of Pythias, Elks and other Fraternal organizations, Missionary Societies, Boy Scouts of America, U. C. T.




Rev. S. A. P. Reakes, Pastor Methodist Church, Fife Lake, Mich.
—

I cannot recommend Mr. Holley's entertainment too highly to any organization.  It is unique instructive and inspiring, with a lasting message.




Ben R. Holcombe, Principal Public Schools, Manton, Mich.
—

One of the finest entertainments that has come to our students.  Mr. Holley is enthusiastic in his subject and tells his 
stories
 in a manner that is inspiring.




Rev. A. A. Allington, Pastor Congregational Church, Northport, Mich.
—

Merritt B. Holley gave one of the best entertainments for our young people.  He brings a 
message
 with his wonderful flag collection that uplifts and stays.




Fred Bailey, Superintendent Public Schools, Alden, Mich.
—

Mr. Holley has a 
message
 that he presents in a 
different
 manner than anyone who has ever been before our students.  I commend him to any school in the country.




Prof. W. E. Olds, Superintendent Public Schools, Elk Rapids, Mich.
—

The people of Elk Rapids had the pleasure of seeing the wonderful collection of foreign and American flags owned by Merritt B. Holley, and listening to his fascinating way of describing them.  It is the finest entertainment we have had this year.




Robert H. Bishop, Superintendent Public Schools, Suttons Bay, Mich.
—

Merritt B. Holley's flag entertainment last night packed the town hall, and was the best thing we have had.  So pleased were the people that many of them remained afterward to ask numerous questions and examine more closely this marvelous collection of flags.




Editorial in Buckley (Mich.) Enterprise


—The Home Betterment Club is to be congratulated on securing Merritt B. Holley, who last night gave his flag lecture in the Congregational church.  His great collection filled all the available space in the building and his wonderful knowledge of flags held the closest attention.




F. W. Wilson, Special Correspondence for Michigan Tradesman, Grand Rapids, Mich.
—

M. B. Holley, member of our Council, No. 361, United Commercial Travelers, has returned from a tour of the larger cities, giving his lecture on flags and pennants, of which he has the largest collection in the world.  He is making a big hit.  A good salesman can do anything.




Prof. H. G. Warne, Superintendent Public Schools, Reed City, Mich.
—

Our students received a message that will be lasting from the splendid address of Merritt B. Holley last night.  It is a most unique way of presenting a subject that every person in this land should be more familiar with.  The study of the American flag is sadly neglected in our public schools.




Prof. Amos R. Wells, Editor Christian Endeavor World
—

Mr. Holley has a most remarkable story to tell.  With the greatest zeal he has collected flags and similar patriotic and missionary emblems from every part of the world, and this collection should be seen, and his great lecture is well worth the hearing.




Rev. E. W. Bishop, Pastor of Park Congregational Church, Grand Rapids, Mich.
—

I must say that Mr. Holley has one of the most unique entertainments that it has ever been my good fortune to listen to. His knowledge of flags is marvelous and the interest of the audience is kept to the highest pitch throughout.




The Amsterdam (N. Y.) Morning Sentinel


—Merritt B. Holley, who hails from Traverse City, Mich., told his 
Story of the American Flag
 to a great audience in the assembly room of the Y. M. C. A. last night.  Those who went to inspect saw a blaze of color and were amazed at the display.  It is among the most unique entertainments on the platform today.




The 
Convention
 number of the Christian Endeavor World


—We heard the 
Christian Endeavor Museum man,
 Merritt B. Holley, of Traverse City, Mich., who has made himself famous with his remarkable collection of curios, but now has gathered with the aid of missionaries and other workers a most wonderful collection of flags.  Mr. Holley's address was a tribute to their real significance and power and especially to the evolution of the American flag.  There was an uplift and inspiration that was felt by all of the vast audience.




The Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press says editorially


—It is a fact well worth the knowing that a Michigan man, Merritt B. Holley, of Traverse City, is bringing before the people of the country an entertainment that shows that the American flag for 138 years has been the sign of liberty for all peoples.  Other nations have altered their insignia or changed their dynasties, but not ours.  We may not all be able to sing the 
Star Spangled Banner,
 but we can be proud today it is the chief sign among the nations of the blessings of peace and the freedom of fraternity.




Traverse City (Mich.) Record-Eagle


—Last evening M. B. Holley delivered his lecture, entitled 
The Evolution of the Flag
 as a special number on the High School Lecture Course and scored a decided success.  The lecture is different from the usual run of entertainments of this nature, inasmuch as it is entirely original, novel and educational.  Special stress should be laid on the educational character, because it presents a panoramic view of the history of the world from the earliest times down to the present in a striking and original manner.  His collection of flags is the most complete of any in the world and has been gathered through a consistent and painstaking process covering a period of over thirty years.




Herald and Record Co. Traverse City, Michigan




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