The flag of the “Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie” (V.O.C. - United East India Company) was a Dutch trading Company founded in 1602. The Sultan of Tidore in the Moluccas claimed sovereignty over the coast of New Guinea, the Dutch recognised the Sultan's claim and New Guinea became nominally Dutch. Their flag was the Dutch Tricolour with the Company emblem placed on the white stripe. The upper stripe of the flag was changed to red between 1630 and 1660, possibly because darker colours were better visible at sea against a light sky.
Ludo Kuipers
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