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Principality of Outer Baldonia 1948-1973, Nova Scotia (Canada)
Last modified: 2021-09-18 by rob raeside
Keywords: outer baldonia | nova scotia | outer bald tusket island | tuna |
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image by
Olivier Touzeau, 21 August 2021
based on
photo
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I found this article while on vacation in August about the "Principality
of Outer Baldonia", perhaps one of the first micronations, which was off the
southern coast of Nova Scotia 1948-1973. Here are some of the details from a
September 18, 1967 Sports Illustrated "Outer Baldonia Struggles For Its Fishy
Place As A Somewhat Emergent Nation" by Nancy Coe.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1080337/index.htm
has more details, including a report of the flag ("national flag consisting of a
tuna tail in a circle of white on a sea-green background").
I found
another link showing a possible reconstruction of the flag below, the image of
which is attached:
http://www.listofmicronations.com/lomwiki/index.php/Principality_of_Outer_Baldonia
from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Outer_Baldonia
"The
Principality of Outer Baldonia is a now defunct micronation whose territorial
pretensions comprised the roughly 4 acres (16,000 m2) of Outer Bald Tusket
Island 8 nautical miles (15 km) off the southern tip of the Canadian province of
Nova Scotia. Founded in 1948 by Russell Arundel, who was an American business
man and lobbyist for Pepsi Cola Company (today: PepsiCo), and entitled the
"Prince of Princes" of Outer Baldonia, the Principality is often classed as a
'whimsy state'. Endowed with a charter, flag, and organized military, it was one
of the more developed, and highly populated of the various historical
micronations. Coinage and passports were also issued.
Apparently, Arundel
stumbled upon the island while fishing recreationally for tuna. While there are
reports that the island was used as a base for fishing (possibly seasonally),
and was also used as a sheep pasture, Arundel negotiated its purchase for $750,
and constructed a stone edifice for himself and his friends to use as a fishing
lodge during the sport fishing season. Legend has it that it was, in fact, while
Arundel and his friends were engaged in an episode of rum drinking, that they
conceived, wrote, approved and published the Declaration of Independence of
Outer Baldonia. Reflecting the primacy of sport fishers such as Arundel in its
leadership, the trappings of the state seem to have teemed with aquatic life.
The currency, for example, was called the Tunar.
.....In 1973, Outer Bald
Tusket Island was sold by Russell Arundel for the price of one Canadian dollar
to the Nova Scotia Bird Society, who are the current owners. The island has been
designated the Earle E. Arundel Breeding Bird Sanctuary. "
Ben
Cahoon, 2 October 2011I'm the creator of the flag reconstruction shown
here:
http://www.listofmicronations.com/lomwiki/index.php/Principality_of_Outer_Baldonia.
After completing my reconstruction the Seal of Outer Baldonia came to light
(also pictured in the above article). The Seal depicts a tuna tail and fishing
rod which I believe may have constituted the central design element of the
original flag. Thus, my reconstruction needs to be re-reconstructed.
George Cruickshank, 25 October 2011A recent article shows a photograph
of the real flag of the defunct micronation:
https://maineboats.com/print/issue-163/strange-tale-outer-baldonia
The photograph is captioned:
“this banner was found amongst family treasures
inherited by Russell Arundel’s daughter, Jocelyn. Image courtesy Arundel family”
Therefore, as stated in the Sports Illustrated article above: September 18,
1967 Sports Illustrated "Outer Baldonia Struggles For Its Fishy Place As A
Somewhat Emergent Nation" by Nancy Coe, the national flag consists of a tuna
tail" (not a entire tuna and no rod) "in a circle of white on a sea-green
background".
Olivier Touzeau, 21 August 2021