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Principality of Outer Baldonia 1948-1973, Nova Scotia (Canada)

Principality of Outer Baldonia 1948-1973 flag

image by Olivier Touzeau, 21 August 2021
based on photo

Description of the flag

See also:

Description of the flag

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 2011

A 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