The Trophies in Picard's Quantum Archive
by Jörg Hillebrand and Bernd Schneider
Trophies Visible on ScreenUnseen Trophies
Many awards, diplomas and other memorabilia can be seen stored in Picard's quantum archive room in PIC: "Remembrance". On the right wall, below the "Captain Picard Day" banner, there are several shelves with various trophies presented to Picard over the course of his career. Twelve trophies were on display at the various Picard exhibitions in the summer of 2019. Almost all of these actually made it into the episode and can be visually identified. There are also some unknown trophies on screen that were not shown an the exhibitions.
The trophies are seen in two shots in PIC: "Remembrance". One shot shows the camera pan from left to right to focus on the "Captain Picard Day" banner. The second shot reveals the whole archive as Picard moves towards the replicator/transporter console. Some of the trophies are also visible in a behind-the-scenes shot in the Ready Room episode for "Remembrance".
The trophies can be grouped into two clusters. The first one is on the left side (further in the background) of the replicator/transporter that produces Data's painting, labeled as #1 to #8. The second cluster is on the right side (closer to the camera), labeled as #9 to #15. One more trophy on the right side (#16) can be identified in the Ready Room episode for "Remembrance".
In PIC: "The Next Generation", we can see the Bajoran award 7 on Picard's desk that was present but not recognizable in "Remembrance".
Trophies Visible on Screen
1 Klingon Planetary Humanitarian Award
A glass ball with differently colored helices embedded on the inside. Labeled "Klingon Planetary Humanitarian Award to Jean-Luc Picard for his exemplary leadership 2355".
This is a strange choice of a name for a Klingon award in consideration of Azetbur's statement "'Human rights.' Why the very name is racist." in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country".
"An award from the Klingons for his leadership skills"
2 Unnamed Vulcan award
The trophy incorporates Vulcan writing and the IDIC, "Jean-Luc Picard" being the only writing in Latin letters. It is one of three awards not made from glass or plexiglass.
"A trophy of appreciation received from the Vulcan people in recognition of his work stopping the Romulan invasion of Vulcan in 2368"
3 Rising Phoenix Award
The award has the shape of a stylized phoenix and includes the depiction of a phoenix on both sides of the inscription. It is labeled "Rising Phoenix Award - Honorable Jean-Luc Picard - Planet Klingon Assembly - 2367".
The Klingons obviously bought the trophy at a gift shop in Phoenix, Arizona.
"The beautiful Rising Phoenix Award presented to Picard for his role in helping to halt the Klingon civil war in 2367"
4 Crystal Planet Award
The trophy consists of an Earth globe, on a base that includes the Vulcan IDIC. It is labeled "Vulcan Crystal Planet Award in honor of Captain Jean-Luc Picard - Exemplary service for peace negotiations 2368".
"The Vulcan Crystal Planet Award given to individuals who have demonstrated service in the Vulcan tradition during peace negotiations"
5 The Circle of Galaxies
This is a glass goblet with an Earth map. Its inscription is as follows: "Circle of Galaxies *** 'The whole of humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate but to take delight in the differences.' - Captain Jean-Luc Picard Exemplifies a Mature Human - 2375". This is a famous quote by Gene Roddenberry.
"The Circle of Galaxies Award"
6 Dignified Person Award
The award consists of a big blue diamond atop an angular plexiglass column with the IDIC symbol. On its base, we can read: "Vulcan Dignified Person Awarded to Captain Jean-Luc Picard 2380".
"A 2380 award from the Vulcan government for exemplifying Vulcan attributes of strength and dignity"
7 Bajoran award
This trophy includes Bajoran writing and the Bajoran logo. Only the tip of the Bajoran logo is barely recognizable in "Remembrance". However, we can see this prop very well on Picard's desk in PIC: "The Next Generation". "Picard" is the only writing in Latin letters. It is one of three awards not made from glass or plexiglass.
"These awards of thanks from the Bajoran people for his role assisting in the aftermath of the Cardassian occupation"
8 Unknown award
This award is seen in "Remembrance" but cannot identified. It is made from glass.
9 Galaxy of Planets and Suns
The trophy consists of an Earth globe and includes the Federation logo on its base. It is labeled: "Jean-Luc Picard Annual Fundraiser Galaxy of Planets and Suns 2360".
None
10 Andorian award
A triangular trophy with the Andorian emblem and Andorian writing. One of three logos not made from glass or plexiglass. Its inscription reads: "Presented to Jean-Luc Picard with Great respect from the planet and citizens of ANDORIA".
"This silver trophy given by the people of Andoria following his retirement from Starfleet"
11 Unknown award
This award is seen in "Remembrance" but cannot identified. Black base, red tear shaped trophy made from glass.
12 Unknown award
This award is seen in "Remembrance" but cannot identified. Black base, made from glass.
13 Children of Tama Award
The inscription can be seen up close in the Ready Room episode and reads: "Children of Tama - Thank - Jean-Luc Picard - 'He who was my companion through adventure and hardship is gone forever' - 2355". This quote is from the Gilgamesh epos and was previously quoted by Picard in TNG: "Darmok".
The date of 2355 is an error. Jean-Luc Picard encountered the Tamarians for the very first time in 2368.
14 Betazoid Loyalties Award
A flame-shaped glass sculpture. The award is inscribed: "Betazoid Loyalties -go to- Jean-Luc Picard - for his Healing and Enveloping New Nations - 2350".
This is the first appearance of a Betazoid logo. The intersecting rings were originally a fan design that was apparently canonized by accident, through a web search. The logo was created by David Bilic aka Zeleni in 2007 for a fan-based game called "Birth of the Federation 2".
"The Betazoid Loyalties award for his work in assisting developing worlds"
15 Unknown award
This award is seen in "Remembrance" but cannot identified. Made from glass.
16 Starfleet Academy graduate award
This award does not appear in PIC: "Remembrance" and is only visible in the Ready Room episode. The plexiglass plaque is inscribed: "Jean-Luc Picard - Graduate of Starfleet Academy - Class of 2327". It features the Starfleet Academy logo, annoyingly with the wrong Latin quote once again that we thought was eradicated once and for all.
"A crystal plaque presented upon his graduation from Starfleet Academy in 2327"
Unseen Trophy
Distinguished Record of Service
Sadly this award did not make it on screen. Picard serving on the USS Reliant is from the extended version of TNG: "The Measure of a Man". In PIC: "Broken Pieces", Picard also refers to his time on the ship. The inscription reads: "Captain Jean-Luc Picard - Distinguished Record of Service on U.S.S. Reliant 2364".
"A trophy received for his service aboard the U.S.S. Reliant early in his career and later helping with its decommissioning while awaiting completion of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D in 2364"
See Also
Picard's Shakespeare Books - investigation of the books in the ready room and in his quarters, incl. identification of the pages
The History of the Betazoid Emblem - how a fan design became canon and appeared repeatedly since 2020
Credits
All screen caps and award photos kindly provided by TrekCore.
