Written by Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts, a notorious but successful pirate, these articles were his directives that each of his crew had to sign in promise to follow them. Until recently, this dusty document lay hidden in the volumes at the National Archives. It was one of the first vestiges of a democratic organization at a time when kings ruled the world. It’s actually a good list for keeping order anywhere ­like “lights out at 8 pm” and “no person should game at cards and dice for profit.” 12x20 poster shipped in mailing tube.