Mermaid of the Moment: The Ipswich Mermaid by George Courage

The Ipswich Mermaid, George Courage, Acrylic on canvas 8"x10".

My husband George Courage painted this mermaid portrait.

The image of a mermaid in a wheelchair is one that's been with him since he was young, growing up in Ipswich, MA. When he was in high school, the drama club produced the play Miranda by Peter Blackmore. (Miranda was made into a film in 1948 starring Glynnis Johns, one of my favorite mermaid films.) The titular mermaid was transported in a wheelchair for the better part of the play and inspired the image. Although the play was set in the 1940's, George loved the idea of a mermaid wearing a Victorian-style dress, and that's how he sketched her as a college student.

This recent version also features a lighthouse in the background. The model for this lighthouse once stood on Crane's Beach in Ipswich. It was moved to Cape Cod in the 1930's and though George never saw it in person, he grew up going to Crane's and heard stories about the lighthouse that used to reside there.

"The Ipswich Mermaid" is currently on display in Salem, MA (along with several other illustration works by George) at the Salem Theatre at 90 Lafayette Street. His work will be on display through December 2014.

Imperium Neptuni Regis: Shellback Certificate

The ceremony of "Crossing the Line" (the "Line" being the Equator) has been a part of Naval culture in many a country's military maritime practice for the last 200 years or more. This rite is commemorated with several initiation "exercises" and a certificate usually featuring King Neptune, mermaids and other sea-life.

The certificate below was given to my husband George's uncle and namesake, George Wallace Kitzmiller, who served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. Around the border of the certificate are mermaids riding large fish, mermaids in whirlpools, and various other small sea creatures. The central large illustration features King Neptune with his trident flanked by four hippocampus. The large banner reading Imperium Neptuni Regis, translates to "The Empire of King Neptune."

(Click on image to enlarge)

Shellback Certificate, U.S. Navy, George W. Kitzmiller, 1944.

The text on the certificate reads:

To all sailors wherever ye may be: and to all Mermaids, Whales, Sea Serpents, Porpoises, Sharks, Dolphins, Eels, Skates, Suckers, Crabs, Lobsters, and all other Living Things of the Sea GREETING Know ye That on this 29th day of December 1944, in Latitude 00000 and Longitude ____ there appeared within Our Royal Domain the USS Earl V. Johnson bound south for the Equator and for the Southwest Pacific.
BE IT REMEMBERED
that the said Vessel and Officers and Crew thereof have been inspected and passed on by Ourself and Our Royal Staff And Be It Known: By all ye Sailors, Marines, Land Lubbers and others who may be honored by his presence that
George W. Kitzmiller
having been found worthy to be numbered as one of our Trusty Shellbacks he has been duly initiated into the SOLEMN MYSTERIES OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF THE DEEP.
Be It Further Understood 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.
Disobey this order under penalty of Our Royal Displeasure
Given under our hand and seal this 29th December 1944
Davey Jones, His Majesty's Scribe
Neptune Rex, Ruler of the Raging Main
By his servant J.J. Jordy

Here's a detail from the border of the certificate.

Uncle George served on the U.S.S. Earl V. Johnson in the South Pacific. Here's a photo of him with a sailor buddy, most likely on shore leave judging by the playful grins on their faces.

Unknown sailor (left), George W. Kitzmiller (right), U.S. Navy, 1944.

U.S.S. Earl V. Johnson