Realm of the Arctic Circle Certificate

Object NameCertificate

Historic Owner Grey E. Burkhart

Association USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11)

DateAugust 3, 1972

PeriodCold War

Mediumpaper, ink

ClassificationsCommunication Artifacts

Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. Gift of Grey Burkhart. A2019.03

Object numberA2019.03

DescriptionCertificate; Realm of the Arctic Circle, August 3, 1972.

The certificate, also known as a blue nose certificate, has an image of the Arctic Circle with the two heads of north winds blowing on the title. There is an Inuit holding a ship's wheel along with a polar bear, seals, walrus, totem pole and reindeer around the borders of the certificate. There is a U.S. Navy circular gold foil label within the ship's wheel on the lower left side.

Certificate reads "Realm of the Arctic Circle // Order of the Polar Bear // North Pole // Arctic Circle // Know all men by these presents: and to all Polar Bears, Walrus, Seals, Whales, // Huskies, Martens, Foxes, Reindeer, Wolves, Musk Oxen, Caribou: and other denizens of the // frozen northern wastes. Know ye; that // Grey E. Burkhart // with my royal consent passed the Gateway to the Top of the World by crossing the // Arctic Circle // Be it further understood: That he entered the land of Icicles: Blizzards; Williwaws and // myriad Snowflakes. Aboard the USS Intrepid CVS-11 // on 3rd day of Aug. 1972 at Longitude 07.8E // I Boreas Rex, Ruler of the North Wind and Sovereign of all the Frozen Reaches it touches do // hereby declare this warm blooded Neophyte to my Royal Domain to be a True and Trusty Brine // Encrusted Bluenose. Be it known: That by virtue of the power invested in me I do hereby // command all my subjects to show due honor and respect to him wherever he may be. // Boreas Rex // Ruler of the North Wind // C.S. Williams Jr. // commanding // C.S. Williams Jr. // Captain USN"

On View

Not on view

Collections