Description:

Truman Harry

Harry S. Truman signed Neptune certificate for Matthew J. Connelly, his presidential appointments secretary later convicted of bribery and fraud


1p partially handwritten and partially printed colorful line-crossing certificate signed by acting 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) as "Harry S. Truman" at bottom center and framed behind glass. Also signed by U.S.S. Missouri Commanding Officer Robert L. Dennison (1901-1980) as "Robert L. Dennison, U.S.N." at bottom. The spurious signatures of "His Majesty's Scribe, Davey Jones" and "Ruler of the Raging Main Neptunus Rex" also appear at bottom. A U.S. Department of the Navy embossed seal is located at bottom right. The color print after H.A. Jones is in near fine condition with bright colors and isolated minor foxing. Not examined out of frame measuring 21.5" x 15.5". 

 


The print entitled "Imperium Neptuni Regis" depicts a central vignette in which Neptune, Roman god of the sea, emerges from the ocean on a horse-drawn chariot. The borders contain fanciful depictions of mermaids and other sea creatures. The text 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 Greeting: Know ye: That on this eleventh day of Sept. 1947, in Latitude 0000 and Longitude 36° 30' there appeared within Our Royal Domain the U.S.S. Missouri B.B. 63 bound North for the Equator and for the United States … By all ye Sailors, Marines, Land Lubbers and others who may be honored by his presence that Honorable Matthew J. Connelly having been found worthy to be numbered as one of our Trusty Shellbacks he has been duly initiated into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep … ".

 


President Truman and his family toured Rio de Janiero, Brazil on a state visit between August 31-September 20, 1947. The main political objective of this visit was to deliver the closing remarks at the Inter-American Conference for the Maintenance of Continental Peace and Security. The Trumans returned to the United States via the U.S.S. Missouri, the Iowa-class battleship that Truman's daughter Mary (1924-2008) had sponsored three years earlier in 1944. While aboard, the Trumans and presidential staffers participated in line-crossing ceremonies long practiced in the navy and merchant marine. This certificate commemorated the seminal rite of passage of crossing the equator.

 


Matthew J. Connelly (1907-1976) served as appointments secretary to President Truman between 1945-1953. Two years later, the Fordham University graduate and career political staffer was indicted on charges of bribery and fraud. He served six months in prison before 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) pardoned him in 1962. Truman had defended his one-time appointments secretary.


For a detailed account of this line-crossing ceremony, including a roster of the members of the royal cortege, see the September 11, 1947 log entry accessible online the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum website.

 


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