4. Scrimshaw & Whaling

4.73  IDENTIFIED SCRIMSHAW.  Superlative 3rd quarter 19th century American whaleman scrimshaw in the form of an exquisitely engraved baleen busk.  This exceptional example of the scrimshader's art consists of a perfect slab of whale baleen 12 5/8 inches long by 1 ½ inches wide and 1/8 inch thick.  It bears 10 separate hand-engraved vignettes of the precision and quality expected of a professional engraver.  At the top is a 3-masted whaleship flying the American flag with sails partially reefed.  Next is a geometrical spacer with vines top and bottom.  The engraving is incredibly detailed.  This is a recurring element.  Next is a portrait of a handsome buck deer with full antlers, followed again by a similar detailed spacer.   The next vignette depicts two doves, one in flight and the other perched on the rim of a chalice.  A rose and floral sprays adorn the background.  Next, another spacer and then a portrait of a wise old owl.  That is separated by yet another spacer which leads to the final portrait of a stately male bird perched on a branch with foliage.  At the bottom is incised the presentation reading "Alice Wade" in Gothic script.  The first 2 letters are worn, but the name is clear enough.  It is altogether possible if not probable that these series of vignettes convey a message of prosperity, love, wisdom, happiness and fertility.  By its nature the corset busk of 19th century lady's attire was worn close to the bosom, and therefore had a great personal significance.  This rare example is truly spectacular in the quality of its execution.  Frankly, we hate to sell it! 1995

According to Dr. Stuart Frank, Curator Emeritus of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, " It's a truly great busk — the lightning at sea is epic! and the birds, the deer, and the geometric ornaments are glorious; but I think my favorite vignette is the beautifully drawn owl. The fact that it's baleen — and that the extraordinarily fine pictures remain clear and eminently visible, and that is has an actual provenance — make it a treasure beyond compare. I have no doubt we've identified the maker of this busk. Charles H. Barker, son of a whaling captain, who was the whaleman-husband of Alice Wade."

Charles H. Barker was born in New Bedford, the son of whaling Captain Henry P. Barker, born on Cuttyhunk Island and raised on Nantucket; and Emily Eastham, a native of Exeter, N.H., resident of Boston.  The father had been relief captain on voyages of the New Bedford ship MINERVA (1837-39), the bark COSSACK of Sippican (1846-50), and commanded three voyages in his own right, in the New Bedford ship LIVERPOOL (1850-53, 1853-57) and the bark PIONEER (1858-61).  Charles was at sea by 1856, but his early voyages are not known.  Evidently he did not sail on any voyages with his father.  In Boston in July 1863 he enlisted in the Union Navy for a 2 year hitch and was rated Ordinary Seaman in recognition of prior his experience at sea.  He served on the USS OHIO and USS ST. LAWRENCE.   After the war he resumed his commercial seafaring career.  His three documented whaling voyages were all out of New Bedford, in the bark OSMANLI (1871-75), the ship JOSEPHINE (1875-76), and the bark PACIFIC (1876-82).  This busk was probably made aboard the JOSEPHINE during his courtship with Alice — before she became Alice Barker.  Alice Wade married Barker between his voyages in 1876.  After serving aboard the PACIFIC he became a teamster in New Bedford and later in Fall River (circa 1880), where the couple resided with her parents.  Charles died in January 1890.

Our sincere thanks to Dr. Frank whose scholarly research will be published in his upcoming book "Scrimshaw Dictionary" due to be available in late 2020 or early 2021.

4.72   RISQUÉ SCRIMSHAW.  Genuine antique scrimshaw carved in the form of two lovers on a couch.  This is an extremely rare form of exotic scrimshaw created in otherwise Puritanical 19th century America.  It is doubly rare in that it also constitutes an "adult action toy."  The two-piece presentation consists of a sofa carved of solid walrus ivory on which the lovers lay.  The solid ivory piece they are on is curved upward at their feet, so that pressing on the end produces a suggestive up and down motion consistent with "the act."  The carving, while primitive, is very detailed down to the female's face and hands and the decorative fleur-de-lis on the back of the sofa.  5 inches wide by 2 inches high and 1 1/8 inch deep.  A really charming, if not somewhat innocently humorous portrayal of the taboo subject matter of that era.  Genuinely rare!  1495

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

4.71 IMPORTANT  WHALING HARPOON.  Very rare, unusually long double flue American whaling harpoon.  This early hand-forged example made of black iron features an arrow-like head attached to a long shaft terminating in a classic rolled cone which was swaged onto the end of a sapling pole for darting into the whale.  The distinctive “arrow tip” is indicative of the Nantucket whalesmiths’ output in the 1830’s.  This handsome harpoon shows actual use with a variegated surface with a small portion of the gone due to age.  When displayed, the damage is minimally noticeable.  41 ½ inches in length.  The barb is 4 inches wide.  It has a good old surface consistent with an iron instrument used in a marine environment after nearly 200 years!  There is no surface rust and it is in sound condition.  995

In Thomas Lytle’s landmark reference work “Harpoons and Other Whalecraft,” 1984, The Old Dartmouth Historical Society, he depicts 31 two-flue harpoons in the collection of the New Bedford Whaling Museum.  Only one of the 31 in the museum’s collection is slightly longer than this example!

It wasn’t until 1848 when the African-American whalesmith Louis Temple changed the entire Yankee Whaling industry for good when he invented the pivoting toggle iron.  Up until that time, harpoons of the type offered here were easily dislodged and the quarry lost.  Temple’s much more successful design was immediately accepted in the whaling fleet and the old single flue and double flue designs were discarded.  Few have survived!

4.69  EEL SPEAR.  Genuine 19th century blacksmith forged black iron eel spear.  This early American piece was,made by American colonialist John Fordham.    It is an awesome example of the blacksmith’s skill which combines numerous individual components into a functional whole.  The work is certainly commensurate with the output of the whalecraft smithies outfitting American whaleships of the era, if not actually more complex.  This fearsome weapon consists of a central spear flanked by 4 barbs on either side.  The barbs are neatly stacked in sequence and rove through the base of the main spear where they are forge welded together.   The base continues into a split socket reminiscent of a whaler’s harpoon.  It terminates in an iron tab with two holes for attachment to a wooden pole.  The main blade is distinctively stamped “J. FORDHAM SAG HARBOR” 15 ½ inches long by 8 inches wide at the widest.  Excellent original condition with very light surface rust, with just enough color to give it an appealing old look.  449

4.67   SCRIMSHAW BODKIN.  Very nice, authentic late 19th century sewing punch known as a “bodkin” beautifully turned of solid whalebone,  This stout little implement made by a whaleman for his sweetheart has a bulbous head, with two concentric rings terminating in a gradually tapered cylindrical shaft with sharp tip.  This little example of genuine scrimshaw is in prefect original condition with a lustrous surface and a mellow creamy color.  3 3/8 inches long.  49

4.56/20.01  SCRIMSHAW CANE.   Excellent mid-19th century whaleman’s cane comprised of a beautifully-carved ivory knob with a stout whalebone shaft.  This talented scrimshander’s folk art walking stick has a knob in the form of an anatomically perfect fist holding a ball.  The fist, with early style ruffled cuff, is carved as nicely as we have ever seen, exhibiting detail between the fingers, fingernails and even veins in the back of the hand!  The knob is joined to its shaft with a baleen separator.  The shaft gradually tapers to a tip.  This stick measures 34 5/8 inches long and is 1 1/8 inches wide on the fist.  The whalebone shaft is just shy of 1 inch in diameter at the top, tapering to 3/8 inch at the tip.  Outstanding original condition in all respects having a light age patina.  This is a great cane!  1795

4.54  SCRIMSHAW LETTER OPENER.  Genuine mid-19th century American whaleman-made utilitarian scrimshaw in the form of a rarely found letter opener.  This unique example is constructed entirely of the dense panbone of a sperm whale’s jaw.  The long thin blade is slightly thicker down the middle, tapering to a fine edge on both sides.  It is attached to the handle with a perfect mortised fit using two silver rivets to hold it in place.  The joint is decoratively-rounded with a carved ridge at the base of the handle.  This letter opener measures 9 ¼ inches long overall.  The blade is 5 ¾ inches and the handle is 5 inches (accounting for the joint).  Outstanding original condition with a nice age patina indicative of its 150+ years.  329

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

4.39  SCRIMSHAW PIE CRIMPER.  Fine, mid-19th century American jagging wheel made entirely out of whale tooth ivory.  The finely crenelated wheel is suspended on a silver axle running through two prongs on the front of the one-piece handle.  The slightly curving body of the handle is nicely reticulated with open work designs and a large heart.  The edges are decoratively carved with recurring scallops and ridges.  Outstanding original condition with no cracks, breaks or chips.  The handle has acquired a rich age patina and is slightly twisted – a good indicator of old whale tooth ivory.  5 ¾ inches long overall and 1 5/8ths inches wide at the widest.  The wheel is 1 7/8th inches in diameter. Price Request

From the collection of a Fairhaven, Massachusetts whaling family.

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

4.66  SCRIMSHAW REFERENCE BOOKLET.  Edouard Stackpole, “Scrimshaw At Mystic Seaport,” 1958, The Marine Historical Association, Mystic, Connecticut, 1st Ed.  This book contains 53 pages in soft cover.  Fully illustrated in black and white.  It  is a study of the Mystic collection by an enthusiast who was curator for many years.  Mr. Stackpole gives a history of the art and discusses the whaling conditions which gave rise to it.  He also describes the processes used, choice of materials and how they were incorporated in this uniquely sailor folk art form.  Following Everett Crosby’s ground breaking “Susan’s Teeth and much about Scrimshaw” published in 1955, this is the second oldest book ever to be written about the subject.  Condition is excellent with only slight toning to the cover.  Literally scores of books and pamphlets have ensued in the following years.  Crosby’s book sells for well over five hundred dollars.   29.95

4.64  SCRIMSHAW REFERENCE BOOK.   Marius Barbeau. “All Hands Aboard Scrimshawing,” 1975, The American Neptune Society, Peabody Museum of Salem.  29 pages soft cover, fully illustrated in black and white.  A great little book which details origins of this American sailor folk art form with documented examples.  An interesting passage reads, “Numerous objects scrimshawed out of ivory, bone and wood, varied according to the whaler’s whims and materials.  They ranged between miniature and small pieces of equipment to furniture.  An extreme for it size is the Wedding Cake House at Kennebunk Landing, Maine, where the whole front of an old building and it dependencies, including the fence and two gates, were scrimshawed by its owners.”  Easy, informative reading, well documented with good photography.  As books on scrimshaw go, this is one of the earliest.  An absolute must for inclusion in the serious scrimshaw collector’s library. Perfect as new condition.  Rare availability, especially in this mint condition!  29

4.70  RARE WHALING PRINT.  Very scarce, original 19th century print entitled, “A WHALING STATION ON THE CALIFORNIA COAST.”  This period broadside is actually the front page of the famous 1800’s American publication “HARPER’S WEEKLY, Journal of Civilization” and is dated “”New York, Saturday, June 23, 1877.”  It is further titled “Drawn By Frenseny – [See Page 498].”  This black and white printing was subsequently hand-tinted in color, providing  a very pleasing presentation.  It is framed and matted in a contemporary gilt wooden frame with acid free mounting.  The back of this presentation bears an excerpt from page 498 which reads, “A WHALING STATION.  Here and there along the Coast of California may be found whaling stations, established chiefly by the Portuguese or Sandwich Islanders.  Our first-page engraving shows the general character of these stations, and manner in which the cutting out of the captured whales is carried on.  Watch is carefully kept from an elevated look-out, and the raising of a flag is the signal to the fishermen on the beach that whales are in sight.  The men instantly take to their boats and give chase to their prey.  Harpoon bombs and explosive guns are used to dispatch the whale as soon as the boat gets within striking distance, and the body is then secured and towed ashore where the blubber is stripped off.  It is tried out over ovens similar to those shown in the engraving. and the oil is collected in casks for shipping.  The whale most commonly taken in this manner is the “grey-back.”  A large one often yields a profit of several hundred dollars.”  9 ½ by 14 ½ inches sight, with frame measuring 14 ¾ by 20 inches.  Perfect original condition.  449  Back to Top

This rare print is shown on page 118 of the book entitled “Kendall Whaling Prints.”  It is also depicted on page 145 of the Time-Life series book, “The Whalers.”

4.63/7.51  MONUMENTAL BOOK.  Magnificent “collector’s edition” of one of the most important literary works in American history, Herman Melville’s “MOBY DICK or The Whale.”  This special edition was printed in very limited numbers for The Easton Press, Norwalk, Connecticut in 1977.  Hard cover, illustrated, containing 615 pages it is of the highest quality.  The publisher’s page reads, “This book is printed on archival quality paper especially milled for this edition.  It is acid-neutral and conforms to all guidelines established for permanence and durability of the Council of Library Resources and the American Nation Standards Institute.”  The title page reads, “MOBY DICK, Or THE WHALE By HERMAN MELVILLE With An Introduction By Clifton Fadiman and Illustrated by Boardman Robinson.  Bound in Genuine Leather.“  The leather cover is beautifully embossed with gold in the traditional manner.  The end covers are silk-lined.  The end pages of the entire book are gilded.  The content is the exact work of this American classic.  Melville originally wrote “Moby Dick” in 1851.  It quickly gained notoriety as one of the most interesting novels of that era.  Embodied here is an exquisite compilation of that work in an absolutely highest quality presentation.  As new, unread condition after 42 years!  SOLD

4.65  ESKIMO CRIBBAGE BOARD.  Authentic, early 1900’s scrimshaw cribbage board carved from a large walrus tusk.  The broad end is in the form of ferocious polar bear with a menacing snarl, mouth agape, which also functions as the repository of cribbage board pegs down his throat.  The bear’s ears are carved into the profile of the tusk and his eyes are inlaid with black whale baleen.  The top is carved and drilled with two rows containing 6 blocks of 10 holes each for cribbage pegs.  They are adorned by scrimshawed vignettes showing seals, ice floes and an Eskimo hunter in a kayak.  Both sides are decorated with harpoons.   One side is signed with the talented artist “Aloysius Pikonqanna.”  The bottom exhibits two supporting ivory feet and scene depicting an Eskimo approaching a herd of walruses on an ice floe in his kayak.  This charming presentation is bright, clean and free of damage.  The telling Eskimo style of scrimshaw is exhibited where a rocking  punch tool was used to fill in darkened areas.   12 inches long and 2 ¼ inches broad at the widest.  Signed examples are rare. SOLD

4.62  SCRIMSHAW COCONUT CUP.  Very unusual, certainly one-of-a-kind centerpiece constructed of a fabulously-carved coconut mounted on 4 whale’s teeth and capped with a hallmarked silver cover.  This impressive object has three large cartouches carved into the sides of the coconut.  The central frame consists of an ancient Roman fasces flanked by British flags on either side which rest upon two cannons with stacked cannon balls.  The circular border is incredibly well-carved with tiny, recurring pyramids.  The next vignette is a lovely floral spray with equally fine border.  The third has a musical theme showing crossed horns and musical scores.  It is topped by flowing ribbons and flanked by Acanthus leaves.  The border matches the other two.  The background to these consists of intricate cross hatching with swags and sashes at the top.  In all facets of carving the execution is of the highest order, done by a very skilled artisan.  The quadripedal base consists of curved whale’s teeth terminating in silver balls and  applied oval shields of silver affixed to each.  The crowning detail is the solid silver cap with folding lid.  The lid has a stop hinge much like a tankard.  The rim is hallmarked with 5 English marks which are difficult to read, but appear to indicate Sheffield, England 1852/53.  This jibes perfectly with the type of heraldry popular in that period.  It is capped by a turned whale ivory knob.  8 inches tall and 5 inches wide on the feet.  Original condition showing good age and no abuse.  A great “oddity” to add to a scrimshaw collection.  1495

Not available or for sale in California.  Shipped from Massachusetts

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! SOLD

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  

4.15  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