Jawaharlal Nehru Neptune Rex Ceremony Naval Decree Signed.

Rare original Neptune Rex Ceremony Decree signed by Jawaharlal Nehru as Prime Minister. One page, partially printed with a woodcut headpiece of King Neptune, woodcut initials and red Neptune Rex seal. The decree reads, "Whereas by our Royal condescension we decree that our trusty and well beloved Norman Cliff has this day entered Our domain and has been rightly and duly initiated with all form and ceremony as our subject on board Indian Naval Ship Delhi. We do hereby charge all Sharks, Whales, Eels, Dolphins, Gollywogs, Pollywogs, etc. to abstain from eating, playing with or otherwise maltreating his person. And We further direct all Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Globetrotters and Landlubbers who have not crossed the Equator of Our Royal domain to treat him with respect due to on of Our loyal subjects. Given at Our Court on the Equator this fifth day of June 1950 in longitude 92." Signed at the conclusion by Jawaharlal Nehru and Norman Cliff. The Neptune Rex Ceremony was a traditional line-crossing ceremony performed to initiate sailors into the Kingdom of Neptune upon their first crossing of the Equator. The tradition may have originated with early Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian vessels passing notable headlands. By the eighteenth century, there were well-established line-crossing rituals in the British Royal Navy, United States Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Canadian Navy. In near fine condition.