Seal of the President of the United States that the seal had never had an official definition, meaning there was also no explanation for the eagle facing to its left instead of the typical heraldic custom of having such figures face to their right ("dexter"), which is considered the honorable side. Therefore, he recommended changing the direction the eagle faced, and provided an illustration along with a suggested blazon to be used in an official description. Truman agreed with most of these suggestions, additionally liking that the eagle would now face towards the olive branches (which he felt was symbolic of a nation on the march and dedicated
Great Seal of the Irish Free State the grounds that the change in procedure had not been agreed. A compromise was negotiated whereby the Free State would use a separate "external seal" in the custody of its Minister for External Affairs. The external seal, designed by Percy Metcalfe, had on its obverse the same harp image as the Great Seal, and on its reverse the same image of the monarch enthroned as the British Great Seal of the Realm. George V formally presented the external seal to John W. Dulanty on 18 January 1932 at Sandringham House. The External Great Seal was used only on ratifications and