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Two items related to the International Turtle Club, a drinking club in which Wally Schirra held the title of Grand Potentate:
- an unissued membership card for Gerry Martin's International Turtle Club, 3.5 x 2.25, featuring the pre-printed facsimile signatures of Wally Schirra as High Potentate and Gerry Martin as Low Potentate. Reverse bears the printed instructions in giving the password for the club when asked, as well as the resulting penalty if unsuccessful: "forfeit a beverage of his choice."
- an International Turtle Club membership pin, measuring 19 mm x 10 mm, complete with its clutch backing and plastic case.
In overall fine condition. The 'Interstellar Association of Turtles' grew out of an informal 'drinking club' between World War II pilots, self-described as 'an honorable drinking fraternity composed of ladies and gentlemen of the highest morals and good character, who are never vulgar.' To be initiated, one must correctly answer a riddle where the answer seems vulgar, but is actually inoffensive—for example, 'What does a cow have four of and a woman only two?' To a Turtle, the answer is: 'Legs.'
