MOSES & SÖN, G. MELCHIOR.

An 1862 image of the brig Elite at Blankenese shows a white foremast flag with a red saltire, probably the house flag; a red name pennant edged white; and a Danish ensign with a cypher. Danmarks Skibsliste 1883 describes the company’s Kontor-Flag as white with a red diagonal cross. Van den Muijzenberg expects that design to have applied in 1862 but notes that the lists do not reach back that far. The illustrated diagonals may be unequal, although the written description does not say so. Schneider tentatively associates the cypher with Mediterranean trading and a distinguishing mark for the Knights of Malta, while acknowledging their earlier disappearance.