This magnificent document is arguably one of the finest and most historically significant shellback certificates in existence. It will appeal not only to naval collectors and historians, but also to students and collectors of Roosevelt material. Seaman Joe Balicki earned this certificate as a crew member of the cruiser USS Houston on July 25, 1938, en route to the Galapagos Islands with President Roosevelt on board. As is the tradition, the certificate is signed by Captain G. Barker, USN, Commanding Officer, USS Houston. The certificate is also signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt in a bold “10” signature beneath the Navy Seal. It is also signed by five other members of the presidential party, to include. Basil O’Connor: FDR’s law partner and longtime legal advisor. Adams, businessman and philanthropist, son-in-law of FDR’s uncle, Warren Delano III. McIntire, Medical Corps, USN, Presidential Aide and physician to the President. Early, White House Press Secretary. Russell Wood, head of FDR’s Secret Service detail. All these men, with the exception of Wood, are shown in the photo of FDR with his staff attached. The signatures are firm and bold and easily legible, with the exception of Early, who signed in a dark area beneath the President’s autograph. There are few other FDR document bearing such a wealth of signatures from his personal staff and “brain trust”. However, it was signed only by FDR, and not the rest of the staff as is the case here. The document is in fine, clean condition. The gold foil seal is crisp and intact and complete. It also still features its red, white, and blue ribbon, which seldom survives the rigors of aging. Letter of Authenticity from John Reznikoff/University Archives. Photos are included for illustrative purposes. ANCIENT ORDERS OF THE DEEP RITUAL. It has been a long naval tradition to initiate “Pollywogs” into the Kingdom of Neptune, the legendary god of the seas, upon their first crossing of the Equator. The ceremony observes a mariner’s transformation to trusty Shellback, also called a Son or Daughter of Neptune. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. To mark the occasion, elaborate certificates were issued in the name of Neptune, god of the sea. It was customary for the certificate inducting a sailor into. Sometimes these certificates were also signed by prominent and high ranking guests who happened to be aboard–and in rare cases, that guest was the Commander-in-Chief, the President of the United States. Seaman Balicki was one of the fortunate men to have FDR and his staff sign this time-honored naval proclamation. An ordinary seaman like Balicki would not normally rate his certificate being signed by the high brass, but Balicki was a member of the Deck Department, First Division, and was involved with most of the shore parties and small boat excursions. He developed relationships with the scientists FDR brought along, and they probably arranged for him to get this special certificate. OTHER AUTOGRAPHS ON THIS DOCUMENT. Adams (1910 – 2001), businessman and philanthropist, was the son of FDR’s first cousin. A powerful railroad industry executive, he was also a renowned art and book collector and was one of the incorporators of the FDR Library at Hyde Park. Captain (later Vice Admiral) Ross T. McIntire, (Medical Corps), U. Navy , (1889 – 1959) was FDR’s top aide as well as physician to the President. In 1938, he became the Surgeon General of the United States Navy. He was responsible for the development of the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, MD. Roosevelt from 1933 to 1945 and was the acting Press Secretary under President Harry S. Truman in 1950 after the sudden death of Charles Griffith Ross. Early served as press secretary longer than any other person. Became Deputy Secretary of Defense. Russell Wood, Secret Service, headed the Presidential Detail on this voyage. While serving President Hoover, Wood discovered the West Wing fire of 1929. Barker, USN, (1886 – 1957) Commanding Officer USS Houston; Barker graduated from the Naval Academy in 1907, and earned the Navy Cross as XO and CO of a destroyer on anti-submarine duty during World War I. Recalled to active duty after Pearl Harbor, he served out the war as head of Naval Training Schools in the Boston area, to include Harvard ROTC. In July of 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt came aboard the USS Houston (CA-30) for a fishing trip to the Galapagos Islands FDR was the first U. President to visit them. This was FDR’s third of four Presidential Cruises on the USS Houston. His party, which included scientists from the Smithsonian Institute, boarded the cruiser on 17 July in San Diego. The scientists were invited to collect specimens from Central and South America while the President fished. Houston crew members produced an informal “cruise book” marking the voyage (July 14 to August 9, 1938). There are numerous photos of Roosevelt with the crew and the Presidential party, shots of the Galapagos and its strange fauna, and a good deal of wit and raillery in the text and photos directed toward the’pollywogs’ on the part of the’shellbacks’ in anticipation of the approaching traditional ceremony of’crossing the line’. FDR himself was a shellback, having been elevated from pollywog status on an earlier voyage. Here are captions for the attached photos, which depict the actual ceremony for which this certificate was awarded. “Pollywog” officers on watch. Pollywogs are sailors who have not crossed the equator before and are presumably looking for the equator as part of their initiation. The donor of this photo was a pollywog on this cruise. The President and King Neptune and Party during the line-crossing celebrations. Another photo shows President Roosevelt, in the well deck of USS Houston, with a shark he caught in Sullivan Bay, Galapagos Islands, in July 1938. USS Houston (CL/CA-30), was a Northampton-class cruiser. In 1931 she transited the Panama Canal and spent the rest of her career assigned to the Pacific. In Manila on November 19, 1940, she became the flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. On the night of the Pearl Harbor attack, the Houston left from Panay Island bound for Darwin, Australia, where she arrived on December 28, 1941. Following the Japanese victory at the Battle of the Java Sea on February 27, 1942, Houston and the Australian light. Cruiser Perth attempted to pass through Sunda Strait. As they approached the entrance near midnight, they unexpectedly encountered a Japanese covering force of nearly one dozen destroyers, three cruisers, and numerous torpedo boats and minesweepers that were protecting the invasion fleet. Perth was sunk, followed, shortly after midnight, by the Houston, after she had scored hits on three destroyers and sunk a minesweeper. Of the original crew of 1,061 men, only 368 survived, becoming slave labor to the Japanese. It was not until nine months later that the American public finally learned of her fate, including the fact that only one-third of the crew had survived. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1919-38\Original Period Items”. The seller is “ri-aviation” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada.
- Modified Item: No
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
1930 Navy Department U. Houston Thank You Letter For A Piano Paper Clippings. This is a thank you letter to Miss Leora Little from Houston Tx. For giving a Francis Bacon Upright player piano. It has news paper clippings also. It’s signed by Captain JB Gay of the US Navy dated November 1 1930. One of a kind US Navy memorabilia. Please view pictures, there is a view of the front and back of each item for imperfections. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1919-38\Original Period Items”. The seller is “pineywoodscollectors” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States.
Here is a very rare piece of US Navy history. This is a collection of design blueprints from when the Navy was creating their first parachutes. There are eight blueprints and a 1925 report on the US Army method of packing parachutes. The Navy mandated chutes to be worn beginning in 1924. Some of the blueprints include handwritten changes along with a signature. The blueprints have been folded and show some wear including small tears and discoloration. Included is a canvas pouch. I bought this from a collector who did not remember where it came from. Please let me know if you have any questions. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1919-38\Original Period Items”. The seller is “bobspiels” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, Korea, South, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Republic of, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French Guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macau, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay, Russian Federation.
- Original/Reproduction: Original
Check out the other items listed in my store – karllectibles. The item “1920 USN Navy Good Conduct Medal Named CSC Number USS Minnesota John L. Croteau” is in sale since Sunday, December 19, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1919-38\Original Period Items”. The seller is “karllectibles” and is located in Centerton, Arkansas. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Theme: Militaria
- Time Period Manufactured: 1919-38
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
1923 US Navy Officers Frocked Jacket. It measures 16 inches shoulder to shoulder, 20 inches armpit to armpit, 24.5 inches shoulder to cuff and 40 inches long. The rank piping is missing, has a couple of small moth holes and I think the buttons have been replaced, but this is the way it was found and still a rare jacket and in good condition. All our items come from estate sales, yard sales, flea markets or places that we have traveled. All Japanese items come directly from Japan. Feedback will be left once feedback is received. We are a smoke free home, but many of the items were acquired from homes that may have smoked. These are collectables that I sell to be displayed. Most uniforms are tailored to the individual that owned it. The item “1923 US Navy Officers Frocked Jacket” is in sale since Saturday, June 5, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1919-38\Original Period Items”. The seller is “military_packrat” and is located in Muscatine, Iowa. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, Ukraine, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Dominican republic, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, El salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Montserrat, Turks and caicos islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay, Russian federation.
- Modified Item: No
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Theme: Militaria
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Time Period Manufactured: 1919-38
Antique lot of US Navy medals from post WWI. This lot of Medals is a mix of medals , one navy pin and an ID bracelet. ID tag and Good Conduct Medal (red ribbon) both are engraved Joseph L. Zuikis USS – c. They also have the same number as the medal engraved on them too. The Mexico medal with blue, yellow and green ribbon is(to my knowledge) a service medal. On the rim it is engraved M. And the victory medal(with rainbow ribbon) has a Transport bar at the top. The USN pin has some wear to the front but pin clasp still works great. All need to be polished/ cleaned but I do not want to chance causing any damage. Great collection for any collector. Will pack very carefully. The item “1919 US Navy Medal Collection, Good Conduct, Victory, Mexico Service USN Pin- ID” is in sale since Wednesday, September 8, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1919-38\Original Period Items”. The seller is “myrastreasures” and is located in Tempe, Arizona. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Theme: Militaria
- Time Period Manufactured: 1919-38
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown
- Modified Item: No
Maker: The TV Allen Co Los Angeles. Additional notes: the reverse of the medal reads Whaleboats 1935 J. They are safe, secure and reliable. You are not required to hold an account to pay, therefor you can use your credit/debit card through their services quickly and easily. Icon Relics reserves the right to cancel any order due to issues involving merchandise availability. INTERNATIONAL Icon Relics ships worldwide. LOST, STOLEN OR DAMAGED ITEMS We are not held responsible for parcels once they have been posted. We do our best to list things as accurately as possible but as we are only human we do occasionally make mistakes. The item “1935 US Navy USS West Virginia Competition Award Medal Ship Sunk Pearl Harbor” is in sale since Monday, July 1, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1919-38\Original Period Items”. The seller is “iconrelicsaz” and is located in Peoria, Arizona. This item can be shipped to North, South, or Latin America, all countries in Europe, all countries in continental Asia, Australia.
Engraved Bernard B Kruszewski. Still, a very interesting and unique piece. Measures approximately 1-1/2 in diameter. Very Good Plus/Excellent condition. Nice aged look, lovely detail. Answers to questions usually take 24 hours due to work schedule. Sorry for any inconveniences this may cause, therefore please ask questions early. All possible care is made to package the items so they will arrive to you in the state that they left in. These charges are the buyers responsibility. We do not mark merchandise values below value or mark items as gifts US and International government regulations prohibit such behavior. I always leave feedback once feedback is left. The item “US NAVY Good Conduct MEDAL DETENTION USS REINA MERCEDES Engraved Named 1923″ is in sale since Sunday, January 3, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1919-38\Original Period Items”. The seller is “curiosansuch” and is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This item can be shipped to United States, Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, France.
Navy Sailor Photo Album Journal Diary Gallipoli Jerusalem Syria. Photo Album Depicting Navy Man’s Worldwide Tours. String-tied black cloth over flexible card. 142 pages pages with 490 black and white photographs inserted into corner mounts. Most photos measure from 2½ x 3½ to 3 x 5 and all but 14 are captioned. Additionally, 16 pages of typescript bound in before the photos + Epsel’s Navy identification card and discharge papers. Album good, because it lacks its front cover and has heavy edge wear; otherwise near fine with near fine or better photos, though some are faded; three photos lacking. An immense photo album detailing a sailor’s exploits on three long cruises in the early 1920s. Henry Epsel spent many months at sea and was rarely without a camera. The album starts with his typescript timeline that provides dates, places and short notes of experiences such as in September 1922 when his group participated in getting tens of thousands of refugees out of Smyrna. He loved Australia, writing, most wonderful welcome and reception ever received by sailors. Beautiful women and girls are plenty here. We were forced into company of girls at all times. It did not pay for us to get drunk as we lost out on too much of good times. With the exception of Russia, he took photos of nearly every place he visited including Beirut, Jaffa, England, Holland, Cuba, the Panama Canal, California, Athens, Constantinople and more. There are moving images of makeshift cemeteries at Gallipoli and quite a few street shots in many of the cities. We see worshipers at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, ruins at Balbak, Syria, and ships filled with refugees. A self proclaimed ladies’ man, there’s a number of photos of the beauties Epsel left on land including Rotterdam Special, my Dutch girl and my Spanish queen. While this is more a travel album than a military one there’s well over 100 photos of ships and maneuvers as well as life aboard his ships. A comprehensive look at the world through the eyes of a sailor with a good number of well composed images. This item is offered by Langdon Manor Books, LLC, antiquarian booksellers. We are members of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA), the International League of Antiquarian Booksllers (ILAB) and the Independent Online Booksellers Association (IOBA) and adhere to their rules of ethics. ALL ITEMS ARE GUARANTEED IN PERPETUITY TO BE AUTHENTIC AND ORIGINAL. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. Auctiva Offers Free Image Hosting and Editing. Auctiva gets you noticed! The item “Navy Sailor Photo Album Journal Diary Gallipoli Jerusalem Syria” is in sale since Saturday, December 2, 2017. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1919-38\Original Period Items”. The seller is “shakhammer8u4s” and is located in Houston, Texas. This item can be shipped worldwide.
1928 US Naval officers formal dinner dress uniform. The jacket measures 16 inches shoulder to shoulder, 18 inches armpit to armpit, 25 inches shoulder to cuff and 39 inches long. The pants measure to a size 30 inch waist. Both the jacket and pants have the same name on the tags, both also have some moth damage in spots and the jacket is missing a few buttons. All our items come from estate sales, yard sales, flea markets or places that we have traveled. All Japanese items come directly from Japan. Feedback will be left once feedback is received. We are a smoke free home, but many of the items were acquired from homes that may have smoked. These are collectables that I sell to be displayed. Most uniforms are tailored to the individual that owned it. The item “1928 US Navy Named Officers Formal Dinner Dress Uniform” is in sale since Thursday, April 25, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1919-38\Original Period Items”. The seller is “military_packrat” and is located in Muscatine, Iowa. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, El salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Montserrat, Turks and caicos islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay, Russian federation, Ukraine, Cayman islands.
- Modified Item: No
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States