Schwarz
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Being offered in this auction are 7 early 1900's photographs of an Initiation Ceremony held on board a U.S. Navy Ship by "KING NEPTUNE AND HIS COURT'" as they crossed the International Dateline (the Equator). King Neptune's Initiation Ceremony has long been a tradition in the U.S. and British Navy's. This ceremony was done to initiate first timers crossing the equator and involved many different forms of harassment some rather humiliating. King Neptune's Court consisted of King Neptune, his First Assistant, Davy Jones, Amphitrite, Shellbacks and Pollywogs (sailors who being initiated.) The photographs are all mounted on boards resembling cabinet cards but the photographs are all amateur. The contrast is good and for the most part they are very sharp. The photographs are not identified in anyway, the names of the sailors , the name of the ship or dates that the initiation took place are shown. However the photographs do graphically illustrate and ceremony I have often heard about but had never seen actual photos of which I assume is the same for most people. For any photograph collectors these would be extremely interesting and a valuable addition to their collection. PHOTO 1 King Newptune, Davy Jones, Amphitrite and other assistants all in costumes symbolizing their positions in the court. Photo 2 Shows two of the shellbacks pouring a drink down the throat of a Pollywog. Photo 3. Shows Amphitrite and a Shellback applying some sort of substance to a Pollywogs head. Photo 4 Large group of sailors looking on as King Neptune's helpers dump Pollywogs into a pool of water formed by a canvass spread over a hatch. Photo 5 King Neptune and his Assistants are shown dumping a Pollywog who is sitting on a barrel into the pool of water. Photo 6 Shows group of Pollywogs jumping around in the pool of water. Photo 7 Shows what appears to be the Pollywogs grabbing the members of King Neptune's Court and dunking them in the pool with them. Not shown but if you wish to see a scan of it please email us.
untitled work gets no respect.