António Almeida Cardoso, was a tailor in São Pedro do Sul and went to Lisbon, where he opened the tailoring store Alfaiataria A. Cardoso, in Travessa da Palha (Rua dos Correeiros, nowadays).

In 1885, he changed the name of the store to Primeira Casa das Bandeiras, leaving of the tailoring and starting his new flag manufacturing business. The first flag of the Portuguese Republic was concocted in this establishment.

Primeira Casa das Bandeiras is known by the severity of its obligations and its products are sold for practically all the world. Among others clients, there are the Portuguese State, sport clubs, banks, associations, mayor offices, universities and Casa de Su Majestad El Rey (in Spain).