Twin Peaks Set Decoration – “Your Flag and My Flag” Hallmark Motto Print at the Double R Diner

My quest to identify all the decorations displayed on the Double R Diner set continues with a framed patriotic image seen throughout the first two seasons of Twin Peaks. This vintage print contains a poem first published in 1902 and later became popular during World War I.

“YOUR FLAG AND MY FLAG” HALLMARK MOTTO PRINT AT THE DOUBLE R DINER

The pilot episode was filmed on location at Twede’s Cafe (formerly Mar-T Cafe) in North Bend, Washington. When the first season production relocated to a warehouse in Van Nuys, California, the crew constructed a new set inspired by the Snoqualmie Valley diner.

The first time we see the Double R Diner’s front after the pilot is in episode 1.002. To the left of the front door, there is a framed print with an American flag and eagle at the top. It will remain in this spot until late in the show’s second season.

The framed patriotic print is a Hallmark Motto featuring a poem by Wilbur Nesbit titled, “Your Flag and My Flag.” The print may have been created in 1926 by the Reilly Lee & Co. The Baltimore American first published Nesbit’s poem in 1902 which later became popular during World War I. It was supposedly recited in school classrooms during the time.

Beginning in the 1920s, Hallmark, the beloved greeting card company founded by Joyce Hall in 1910, launched their “Hallmark Motto” line. Nesbit’s poem was perfect for this line of decorative prints containing poems and inspirational quotes. I found a newspaper advertisement for Brayton’s News Stand in 1945 that listed beautifully framed Hallmark Motto prints available for $1.00 each. It seems by the late 1940s, Hallmark discontinued their Motto prints.

Wilbur was born on September 16, 1871 in Xenia, Ohio. His father was an American Civil War veteran and worked as a court bailiff. Nesbit spent most of his early life in Cedarville, Ohio. According to his Wikipedia entry, Nebsit began writing for the Cedarville Herald before moving to Anderson, Indiana in 1889 to become editor for the Anderson Times. After moving to a number of cities, he ended up in Baltimore, Maryland where he was a featured writer for the Baltimore News-American under the pen name, Josh Wink.

In 1902, Nesbit moved to Chicago, Illinois, he wrote for the Chicago Tribune, where his column was titled, “A Line O’ Type or Two.” Besides writing for the Tribune, he was also on the staff for the Chicago Evening Post.

By 1927, Nesbit was serving as vice president of the Wm. H. Rankin and Company Advertising Agency. He died on Saturday, August 20, 1927 at the Iroquois hospital in Chicago, thirty minutes after he had collapsed on the street.

“YOUR FLAG AND MY FLAG” APPEARANCES IN TWIN PEAKS

After the brief appearance behind Big Ed Hurley in episode 1.002, we get a better look at the framed print when Audrey Horne enters the Double R Diner.

The Hallmark Motto appears in the next episode, 1.003, when Special Agent Dale Cooper meets Sheriff Harry S. Truman, Deputy Hawk and Big Ed Hurley at the Double R Diner. It reappears when Norma Jennings delivers pie to the table of Bookhouse Boys.

A very unique and slightly out-of-focus look at the print appears briefly in episode 1.004 just before James Hurley enters the diner.

The Nesbit poem appears a few times in episode 1.005 starting with Hank Jennings making a musical selection at the Double R Diner jukebox.

Then, we get another look as Maddy Ferguson enters the Double R Diner to meet James Hurley and Donna Hayward.

The final time in episode 1.005 is when Shelly Johnson and Norma Jennings return from a day of beauty before an awkward encounter with Hank Jennings.

In episode 1.006, Hank Jennings speaks with Shelly Johnson behind the counter of the Double R Diner. In the distance, you can see the framed print hanging by the front door.

A few moments later in episode 1.006, Hank is confronted by Agent Cooper and Sheriff Truman. The patriotic print is seen on the far left side of the screen. This will be the final appearance in the show’s first season.

We get a fantastic look at the print in episode 2.001 just as Donna Hayward is entering the diner’s front door.

We also see the print right before Bobby Briggs enters the Double R Diner for a chance encounter with his dad, Major Briggs.

After the Major shares his vision with Bobby, he departs the diner just as Norma Jennings returns from the Calhoun Memorial Hospital. You can see the print the two characters come and go.

In episode 2.003, the print is seen as Donna Hayward arrives to find Maddy and James hanging out in a booth together. It will also appear as she storms out of the diner.

In episode 2.004, Hank Jennings is on his way to get decorative items for the diner when we see the framed print by the door.

The fruits of his labor as seen later in the episode as the District Attorney Lodwick arrives for a meal. The print is seen in the distance of this empty diner shot.

It will also make an appearance toward the end of episode 2.004 when Hank hears knocking at the front door. I’ve always wondered if Norma and Hank’s home is in the back of the diner. Why else would he be wearing pajamas?  Life is full of mysteries, Donna.

There is a brief appearance in episode 2.005 when James Hurley is enjoying a meal at the Double R Diner counter.

The print is out-of-focus when Shelly Johnson sheds tears to Norma Jennings at the Double R Diner in episode 2.007.

It is also seen in the background in episode 2.007 when Nadine and Big Ed Hurley arrive at the Double R Diner.

In episode 2.o08, the Nesbit print is out of focus as Norma Jennings find Ernie Niles’ newspaper.

Norma Jennings and her mother-turned-food critic Vivian Smythe share a brief, tense exchange in episode 2.010. The print appears briefly behind Vivian as she moves in the scene.

The print is seen when Hank Jennings and Ernie Niles return from their “hunting trip” during episode 2.011.

You can catch a glimpse of the Hallmark Motto print in episode 2.012 when Norma Jennings is seen standing behind the counter.

The print is seen behind Big Ed Hurley as he triumphantly enters the Double R Diner to profess his love for Norma during episode 2.016. After this episode aired, Twin Peaks was placed on a brief hiatus. This may explain what happens next to Wilbur Nesbit’s framed poem.

When Twin Peaks returns to the ABC Television Network at the end of March 1991, Annie Blackburn enters the town as seen in episode 2.017. As she crosses the threshold of the front entrance, you see Nesbit’s poem was replaced with a Currier and Ives print.

As Annie crosses the diner, the Hallmark Motto print is seen now hanging above the cigarette dispenser. It will live there for the next two episodes.

Gordon Cole, Sheriff Harry S. Truman and Special Agent Dale Cooper enter the diner’s front door during episode 2.018. The framed print remains on the opposite side of the dinner compared to earlier episodes.

Bobby Briggs walks by the patriotic print when he discovers Gordon Cole sharing a booth with his girlfriend Shelly Johnson in episode 2.019. This is the final episode where it appears above the cigarette machine.

For the David Lynch-directed episode 2.022, the print returned to its original series location to the left of the front door. A sliver of it is seen when Heidi the waitress enters the diner for work.

It’s seen for the final time in the series when Dr. Lawrence Jacoby escorts Sarah Palmer inside the diner to speak with Major Briggs. I wish I knew what happened to it after the series concluded and the sets were dismantled.