Lot 377
Mercury Program, c1960, The "Ancient Order of Turtles" Lapel Pin (.75x1") An unusual Turtle Club pin showing two turtles "mating" with the bottom one having a pair of wings. While there are a number of different "Turtle" ranks, we can't come up with which one this pin is associated with. A great puzzle for the Turtle leadership.
The Ancient Order of Turtles was created by Captain Hugh P. McGowan, USAF and several US Army Air Corps 8th Air Force pilots while stationed in England during WW II. The Turtle Creed is that "Turtles are bright eyed, bushy tailed, fearless and unafraid folk with a fighter pilot attitude. They think clean, have fun a lot, and recognize the fact that you never get anyplace in life worthwhile unless you stick your neck out" (Wikipedia).
The first reference to theTurtle Club by an astronaut came when Deke Slayton asked Mercury-Atlas 8 astronaut Wally Shirra: "Are you a Turtle? Schirra, forced by Club rules to reply in vulgar language (to not answer would have obligated him to buy a drink for all Turtle member who heard the question), chose instead to turn off his radio when replying. The matter came up again during Apollo 7. By this time Schirra was Grand Potentate of the Ancient order of Turtles and again he finessed the answer. A more detailed explanation of the exchange is on Wikipedia.
This pin will raise eyebrows and questions among all Turtle members, and former members, who see it. Rare.
Estimated Value $250 - 350.
|
| |
| Realized $240 |
