Pristine partly-printed DS, one page, 19.5 x 14.5, July 25, 1938. An attractive Shellback certificate issued to John Herty, Jr., G.M. 1/c, US Navy, and reads, in part: “To all sailors wherever ye may be, and to all Mermaids, Whales, Sea Serpents, Porpoises, Sharks, Dolphins, Eels, Skates, Suckers, Crabs, Lobsters and all other Living Things of the Sea, Greetings. Know ye that on this 25th day of July, 1938 in Latitude 0000 and Longitude 91° there appeared within Our Royal Domain the U. S. S. McDougal bound South for the Equator and for Galapagos Islands …Be it remembered…John Herty…having been found worthy to be numbered as one of our Trusty Shellbacks has been duly initiated into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of Deep.” Signed by “Davey Jones” and “Neptunus Rex” in type and boldly signed in fountain pen by Roosevelt under the printed Naval seal. Nicely, archivally cloth matted and framed using mylar corners only, no tapes or adhesives, to an overall size of 29 x 25. In fine, clean condition. The gold foil seal is crisp and intact and complete with its red, white, and blue ribbon.
Gunner’s mate Herty was one of the seamen who took his first voyage across the equator in 1938—and one of the fortunate men to have FDR sign this time-honored naval proclamation. The McDougal was a destroyer assigned to accompany the USS Houston as it carried the president on a ‘fishing expedition’ of the Galapagos Islands. In a show of gratitude, Roosevelt—the former assistant secretary of the navy—signed the Shellback certificates for the servicemen. Certainly one of the nicest such examples we have encountered! Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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