This festive uniform belonged to Ray Eckman (1899-1978), the first Prime Minister of Seafair. Eckmann had been a star athlete at Lincoln High School and the University of Washington and from 1936 to 1942 he was athletic director at the University of Washington. He also co-owned the menswear store Martin & Eckmann in the University District from 1922 to 1972 and served on the Seattle City Council from 1964 to 1967 and then again in 1970. When Seafair began, a royal court was created which consisted of King Neptune, a Prime Minister, and a Queen of the Seas. King Neptune and the Prime Minister were selected from the 101 Club at the Washington Athletic Club, a group of male business professionals. The Queen of the Seas was a young woman selected from 20 community “princesses” in a pageant. Over time, all the roles evolved. Queen of the Seas has become Miss Seafair and is more focused on academic achievement and leadership for college-age women. King Neptune and the Prime Minister wore less elaborate costumes and were no longer drawn from the same small pool of businessmen. In 2000, the Prime Minister was replaced by Queen Alcyone, the first Seafair royalty role for a longtime female civic leader.