4. Scrimshaw & Whaling

4.60  SCRIMSHAW BODKIN.  Charming diminutive 19th century sailor-made bodkin turned from solid whale tooth ivory.  This authentic little implement is beautifully scribed with recurring scrolls on the blunt end, tapering to a bulbous fine point on the working end.  Such implements were used in sewing during the 17 and 1800’s.  As such whalemen were keen to supply the wishes of their wives and sweethearts in producing functional, very decorative devices to aid in their seamstress pursuits.  This fine example has acquired a very lovely mellow age patina.  Almost miniature, it measures a mere 2 7/8 inches long.  Perfect original condition.  A delightful relic about 150 years old!  49

Not available or for sale in California.  Shipped from Massachusetts.

4.61  AMERICAN WHALING LANCE.   Scarce mid-19th century or earlier “killing iron” of the type used by the ship’s mate to deliver the coups de grace to a harpooned whale.  This particularly fine example is hand-forged of  black iron with a distinctive American blunt blade tip tapering to the long cylindrical shaft.  The forge welded socket is a narrow cone gradually tapering to the shaft.  It has a “split cone” similar to harpoons of the era.  The difference is the lance was expected to be used multiple times, whereas harpoons were viewed as being expendable.  Their cones were swaged onto the harpoon pole which was designed to fall away when the whale was struck.  The lance on the other hand was hard-mounted to its pole.   Evidence of this fact can be seen in noting the split in the cone is welded at the end and there is a hole in one side of the cone for securing it to the shaft.  The blade is boldly stamped with the makers mark “HS” on both sides and it has a raised rib continuing from the shaft to the tip for added strength.  This antique lance is a particularly handsome example exhibiting the blacksmith’s artisanry --  Graceful and well proportioned.  The blade is 4 inches long by 2 1/4 inches wide.  The elongated cone is 6 1/2 inches.  The shaft measures 47 inches long.  Overall the lance is 57 ½ inches long.  Outstanding original condition.  A rare example of early whalecraft well over 150 years old.  1495 Back to Top

According to Thomas Lytle in his landmark reference book, “Harpoons and Other Whalecraft,” 1984, The Old Dartmouth historical Society, New Bedford, Massachusetts, “Two types of lances were made:  the common lance and the steel lance.  The words cast steel were impressed in the blade of a steel lance.  Common lances were in use before 1850.  After steel was produced in quantity in this country in 1864 only steel lances were used.”

Lytle lists known whalecraft manufacturers and their marks, primarily the New England makers.  There is no listing for HS.  This leads us to believe it was made by a New York or other east coast smithy, as American whaling was not practiced out of Pacific ports until after the California Gold Rush.

Dr. Stuart Frank, Curator Emeritus of the New Bedford Whaling Museum indicates the existence of a harpoon marked HS, but the identity of the maker is yet to be determined.

4.59  SAILOR’s SCRIMSHAW VALENTINE.   Extremely rare, possibly unique scrimshaw presentation in the form of 3 nested heart-shaped boxes hand-carved out of scarce sea turtle shell.  These lovely examples of the talented whaleman’s love for his sweetheart back home exhibit the exquisite craftsmanship produced by the finest producers of this American folk art form.  These amazing shell boxes are carved to exacting detail with paper thin walls and tight fitting lids.  The rich, polished surfaces emanate a sheen which is pleasing to the eye and soothing to the touch.  The largest of the 3, the outer box, measures 3 ¼ inches high by 2 ¾ inches wide and 1 ¼ inch thick.  The smallest, inner box, measures 2 1/8 inches high by 1 ¾ inches wide4 and ¾ inch thick.  Incredibly, all are in absolutely perfect original condition!  One of the rarest scrimshaw finds we have ever been fortunate enough to acquire.  Without a doubt, museum quality of the highest order, yet very reasonably priced.  This should be in the New Bedford Whaling Museum! 565

The loggerhead sea turtle, largest of its species, was prized by whalemen not only for its big, lovely reddish brown carapace, ideal scrimshaw, but for its meat, which offered the sailors a fresh alternative to salt pork, dried beans, hard tack and the occasional fish or shark.

4.58  WHALE STAMP.  Genuine 19th century whale stamp of very sturdy construction.  It depicts a spouting baleen right whale, the favorite quarry of the whalemen.   But this is not a whaling log stamp as used aboard the whaleships.  It is more sophisticated.  Much more likely it was used by the shipping companies or agents in reporting accounts of their respective whaling ships’ successes.  This very well-made whale stamp is beautifully carved of zinc, laminated to a wooden center and sandwiched to a brass backing held with screws.   A prominent solid brass knob assures a faithful ink impression.  1 ¼ by 2 ½ inches and 1 7/8 inches high.  A unique, professionally-made whale stamp.  195

4.52 S & P SHAKERS.  Matched pair of antique ivory salt and pepper shakers.  These obelisks are hexagonal in shape and are carved out of solid walrus tusks.  The lids are very finely threaded and unscrew for filling the hollows within.  The tops are perforated with 7 shaker holes each.  2 ½ inches tall by slightly larger than 1 inches across at the bases.  Excellent original condition with a nice, rich age patina.  The lids screw on and off smoothly and precisely. 89/pair 

4.52 S & P SHAKERS.  Matched pair of antique ivory salt and pepper shakers.  These obelisks are hexagonal in shape and are carved out of solid walrus tusks.  The lids are very finely threaded and unscrew for filling the hollows within.  The tops are perforated with 7 shaker holes each.  2 ½ inches tall by slightly larger than 1 inches across at the bases.  Excellent original condition with a nice, rich age patina.  The lids screw on and off smoothly and precisely. 89/pair 

4.45  SCRIMSHAW LETTER OPENER.  Particularly fine 19th century whaleman-made letter opener fashioned entirely of whale tooth with inlays of silver and abalone!  This rarely found form of scrimshaw features a long, thin blade carved out of a large whale tooth affixed to a whale ivory handle with a silver pin.  The sculpted handle features multiple inlays of abalone shell in the form of diamonds, leaves and an acorn with silver stems, a rectangle and a square with triangles.  Workmanship is of the highest order and the effect is most pleasing.  8 ½ inches long overall.  The blade measures 5 inches long and the handle is 3/8ths inch thick.  Fabulous original condition in all respects with a very nice age patina to the ivory.   The blade is slightly warped with age -- quite typical of items fashioned from ivory when it was still “green.”  Actually this is a good sign, indicating it was made aboard a whaleship!  A real rarity in scrimshaw, very reasonably priced for the very exquisite work it embodies. SOLD  

4.40  BONE BUSK.  Authentic mid-19th century or earlier whaleman scrimshawed busk from the golden age of American whaling.  This superb example exemplifies the remarkable melding of utility and decoration at which the scrimshanders were so adept.  It consists of a solid piece of sperm whale panbone carefully carved down to less than 1/8th inch thick by 13 ¾ inches long and 1 ½ inches wide.  Its surface is profusely engraved with numerous traditional sailor folk art forms.  Starting at the top is an unusual urn containing a leafy plant.  Below it is a large heart with compass scribed designs.  There follows a circular “shield” with sunburst patterns graced by floral garlands on either side.  That is followed by the very endearing scene of a mother bird tending to her chicks in the nest.  An elongated diamond is the center vignette.  On the lower half is a classic pinwheel star, then several leafy vines with flowers, followed by an indented diamond shape.  The bottommost symbol is a very complex design which obviously has a profound meaning.  It appears to be the circular face of a sun dial, with wings, perhaps  indicating the fleeting passage of time.   All of these are contained within a very ornate leafy border which entirely encompasses the periphery of the busk.  This must have taken the sailor untold hours, indeed days, to construct!  Together with urn at the top symbolizing life;  the heart, love;  the nest symbolizing family and fertility;  the pinwheel star symbolizing the revival of Spring;  and the sun dial denoting time – this iconography tells the whaleman’s story to his loved one.  Excellent original condition in all respects.  The engraving is very clear and precise.  This rare example represents an intimate, tangible example of a sailor’s love, beautifully composed over 160 years ago!  695

4.15  SCRIMSHAW REFERENCE BOOK.  E. Norman Flayderman, “Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders Whales and Whalemen,” 1972, N. Flayderman & Co., New Milford, Connecticut.  297 pages exclusive of index, hard cloth cover with dust jacket.  Often referred to as The Bible of Scrimshaw.  Those desirous of adding this cornerstone reference to their library need no further elaboration.  The entire book is in as new condition, the dust cover only has slightly worn edges.  245

4.96  REFERENCE BOOK, "The WHALERS."  Certainly our favorite amongst all of the wonderful, awarding winning Time-Life series books The Seafarers, authored by noted maritime historian, A.B.C. Wipple, and published by Time, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia in 1979.  This book chronicles one of the most dangerous and exciting pursuits in American maritime history.  It opens with the primitive whale fishery begun when America was a struggling colony and ends in the waning days of whaling when America had advanced to preeminence as the world's leading industrial nation.  The intervening years were dominated by the remarkable struggle between man and the largest beast on earth, played out thousands of times.  It yielded oil for the nation's lamps and raw materials for its manufacturing.  Every aspect of that industry, both at sea and ashore is covered here.  The lives of the men, their ships, sweethearts, and their ports of call -- all make for fascinating reading.  Then there was that most amazing by-product of the whaling industry  SCRIMSHAW!  Beautifully illustrated in color and black white, with original paintings, drawings, diagrams, photographs and more!   Hard faux leather cover, 173 pages exclusive of index.  Unused condition.   Absolutely “must have” for the scrimshaw collector and/or whaling historian.
 WAS 99 NOW 39

4.06  WHALING PAMPHLET.  The “Whale Fishery of New England,” State Street Trust Company, Boston in cooperation with the Old Dartmouth Historical Society of New Bedford, first published in 1915.  This edition 1968.  68 pages, soft cover, profusely illustrated with old black and white images.  “An account, with illustrations and some interesting and amusing anecdotes  of the rise and fall of an industry which has made New England famous throughout the world.”   A classic.  Good condition.  15