32nd President. This U.S. Navy shellback certificate was issued to Louis A. Roberts, CPM, US Navy on July 25, 1938, for a trip on board the U.S.S. McDougal bound south for the Equator and for the Galapagos Islands, boldly signed "Franklin D. Roosevelt" at lower left. 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. Captains of ships have always taken time, either in war or peace, to uphold this long practiced tradition

These highly ornate, colorful documents have long been coveted by collectors for their visual appeal. This example display folds and creases with staining along the right side. Presented custom matted and framed in black and ready for display