Picture This: Fine, Vintage & Vernacular Photography
Thu, Mar 12, 2026 11:00AM EDT
Lot 42
Line-Crossing Ceremony / US Navy Drag. Mid-20th century.
Estimate: $200 - $400
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $5 |
| $30 | $10 |
| $100 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
Line-Crossing Ceremony / US Navy Drag. Mid-20th century. Group of 10 B&W photographs documenting the US Navy's "line-crossing" hazing ritual which turns "pollywags" into "shellbacks". The ceremony occurs for sailors who are crossing the equator for the first time and includes a baptism and other rituals in which sailors dress in drag and costumes such as King Neptune, Amphitrite, Davy Jones, a "royal baby". One image is a photomontage collage, stamped verso "Released […] Official photograph of the US Navy".
Smallest 2 ½ x 4; largest 8x10". some creasing and discoloration, good.
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