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an old framed certificate with a picture of a man riding a horsea picture of a woman of fire certificate on displaya very old document with a picture of a man riding a horsean old document with a picture of a ship on ita picture of a woman sitting on a boat with a medala picture of a gold coin with a mermaid on it
Maître Lydie BRIOULT

212 - Personalised certificate ‘Domain of Neptunus Rex’
See original version (French)

Estimate €150 - €200
Sale commission
Description
Personalised certificate ‘Domain of Neptunus Rex’ Often referred to as the ‘Shellback’ certificate or the ‘Kingdom of Neptune’ certificate, this is a light-hearted and traditional certificate awarded by the US Navy to sailors crossing the equator for the first time. Before receiving the certificate, novice sailors (known as ‘Pollywogs’) must undergo a light-hearted and symbolic initiation organised by those who have already crossed the equator (the ‘Shellbacks’ or ‘Trusty Shellbacks’), under the authority of ‘King Neptune’ (Neptunus Rex). It is a large, illustrated certificate, printed in colour, depicting the god Neptune with his trident, seahorses, mermaids, dolphins, and the official seal of the Department of the Navy. This copy was awarded to Seaman E.E. Warden aboard the USS SAN FRANCISCO on 15 January 1942. The USS San Francisco was a heavy cruiser of the US Navy. Commissioned in 1934, it was one of the most decorated ships of the Second World War, having been awarded 17 Battle Stars. On 7 December 1941, the San Francisco was in Pearl Harbour during the Japanese attack, where it was damaged whilst undergoing repairs. It subsequently saw heavy action during the Guadalcanal campaign, particularly at the Battle of Cape Esperance; the cruiser was severely damaged there and its commander, Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan, was killed. History of the campaigns in which this ship took part: - Attack on Pearl Harbor (7 December 1941): Present at the time of the Japanese attack. - Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands Campaign (1942): Provided support for the landings at Guadalcanal and Tulagi (August 1942). - Battle of Cape Esperance (October 1942). - Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (12–13 November 1942): Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan’s flagship, engaged in a fierce night-time close-quarters battle against a superior Japanese force, sustaining 45 direct hits but surviving despite heavy casualties - Aleutian Islands Campaign (1943): Participation in the occupation and operations on Attu and Kiska. - Gilbert and Marshall Islands Campaign (1943–1944): Raids and support for landings (Tarawa, Kwajalein, Majuro) - Mariana and Palau Islands Campaign (1944): Participated in the capture of Saipan, the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the recapture of Guam. - Philippine Campaign (1944–1945): Attacks on Luzon, Formosa, Mindoro and the Chinese coast. - Battle of Iwo Jima and raids on Japan (1945): Support for the assault on Iwo Jima and strikes by the 5th Fleet against Honshu and the Nansei Shoto islands - Battle of Okinawa (1945): Participation in the assault on and occupation of Okinawa (March to June 1945)
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Sale of the Grégory Pons collection and miscellaneous items (Aviation and WW2 Militaria)
Auction location
Auction time 11/14/2026 at 1:30 PM
Lot description modified on 10/24/2026 at 10:21 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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