West Sea Company

SCRIMSHAW & WHALING

Catalog Page 4


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4.58

4.58  WHALEBONE MARKING DEVICE.  Authentic old sailor’s tool from the age of sail, carved entirely from a single piece of the dense bone from a sperm whale’s jaw.  This simple yet clever tool was designed to lay out pre-set distances on sail cloth for sewing.  To those ends there are a variety of stepped edges with various widths carved into the ends of the tool for the sail maker to choose from.  5 3/5 inches long, 1 1/8 inches wide and 5/8 inches thick.  Excellent original condition exhibiting a rich deep age patina showing much use but no abuse.  389



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4.90 SCRIMSHAW REFERENCE BOOK. Edouard A. Stackpole, "Scrimshaw At Mystic Seaport," 1958, Second printing 1966, The Marine Historical Association, Incorporated, Mystic, Connecticut, 53 pages, hard cloth cover with dust jacket. Written in 1955, Everett Crosby's landmark book, "Susan's Teeth and Much About Scrimshaw" was the first book ever published on the topic of scrimshaw. The book offered here was published just 3 years later as a more scholarly and comprehensive "introduction to scrimshaw." Accordingly, the book's introduction is well worth quoting: "A century ago the American whale fishery, the most extensive and lucrative in world history, was just past its peak. As a theme for adventure in industry, whaling had few peers. As a nursery for seamen it was unrivaled. By the same token it was one of the hardest and most brutal seafaring activities the world has ever known. The whalemen of New England established a record for daring and enterprise that was never equaled. At first whales were taken near shore. In 1716, Capt. Christopher Hussey of Nantucket, sighted and killed a sperm whale at sea off that island, thus beginning one of the most exciting chapters in American Maritime history which culminated in voyages around the world sometime lasting 4 and 5 years! It was during those long arduous, but often monotonous trips that scrimshaw gave creative relief to the sailors. It is against this backdrop that the marvelous creations contained within these chapters are presented." Excellent original condition. Ex. Libris. 14


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4.56 WHALESHIP DISCHARGE. Original hand-written document on heavy rag paper constituting the discharge of seven crewmen from the American whaleship GRATITUDE in the port of Honolulu, Hawaii on November 30, 1847. This manuscript sates that the men have been paid and absolve the owners of any demands against the ship or charges of assault and battery. Three of the crewmen sign with "X, his mark." 7 ½ by 12 inches. Excellent original condition. Blind stamp upper left. Originally sold by Ten Pound Island Books in 1997 for $125. 49


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4.57 WHALESHIP ARRIVAL CLEARANCE. Original official document of the Port of San Francisco proclaiming the "GENERAL CLEARANCE" of the American whaleship GRATITUDE which entered the port on December 8, 1864. Pre-printed on light blue paper with a spread-winged eagle holding the banner "E. PLURIBUS UNUM." Entries done in cursive script. 8 by 10 inches appended with 3 additional pages concerning consular fees. Excellent original condition. Originally sold by Ten Pound Island Books in 1997 for $100. 49

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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, wives, 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.  69



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4.54

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


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4.55  WHALEBONE MARKING GAUGE.  Genuine mid-19th century American shipboard carpenter’s tool fashioned entirely out of the dense panbone from a sperm whale’s jaw with a sperm whale tooth locking pin!  This working tool also known as a “scribe” consists of a square bar or “timber” 8 ¼ inches long.  It fits within a precisely mortised slot in sliding head or “follower.”  In use the head is set at the desired distance from the iron scribing spike, using the tapered ivory key to lock it in place.  The tool is then drawn along the edge of the work piece, describing a precise parallel line at the preset distance.   This handsome old example is made from rich, creamy bone with a nice age patina and stains indicative of years of actual use.  The timber measures ½ inches square.  The head is 1 ¾ by 1 ½ inches and 9/16 inches thick.  Outstanding original condition and still functional.  A rare scrimshaw tool.  950

ex.  Paul Madden Antiques.  First sold in the 1980’s.  Offered now at the same price!  The original price tag accompanies this offering.

The late Paul Madden of Sandwich, Massachusetts (Cape Cod) was widely recognized as the preeminent scrimshaw authority in the 1970’s until his death in 2009.  Among his famous clients was the late John Kennedy Jr., son of President Kennedy, who was an avid collector of scrimshaw, and whose collection now resides in the Kennedy Library in Boston.



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4.52  MOUNTED SCRIMSHAW PAIR.  Very fine, and extremely rare matched pair of 19th century scrimshawed whales teeth mounted on a teak base.  This authentic whaleman’s work depicts a handsome king and his lovely queen from a much earlier period.  The era is that of Tudor England in the early 16th century.  The intaglio engraving is deep and bold, nicely executed with excellent detail.  The king is shown wearing a distinctive cross within an oval shield on his chest.  Both he and the queen are attired in ermine, a fur reserved for royalty during the Renaissance.  These matching sperm whale’s teeth are 6 ¼ inches high and 2 inches wide each.  They are mounted to a sculpted solid teak bas measuring  7 by 5 inches.  Outstanding original condition in all respects.  Both of these whale’s teeth have acquire a rich age patina, just the way collectors like them. POR

Ex. Sotheby’s Parke Bernet

The identity of this couple is said to be King James IV of Scotland and his wife, Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII.  James was King of Scots from 1488 until his death in 1513.  He was regarded as one of the most successful Stewart Monarchs of Scotland.  Unfortunately his reign ended with the disastrous defeat of his army at the Battle of Flodden Field where he became the last monarch from all of Great Britain, to be killed in battle.

James recognized that peace between Scotland and England was in the interest of both countries, and established good diplomatic relations with England.  He also saw the importance in building a fleet that could provide Scotland with a strong maritime presence.  He founded two new dockyards and built 38 ships for the Royal Scottish Navy.  James was a true Renaissance prince with an interest in practical and scientific matters and was a patron of the arts.  He was well educated, a fluent polyglot and was highly esteemed by his own people as well as abroad.

It is obvious that a 19th century American sailor, concerned with honor, fair play and an interest in ships, admired the traits of this famous King, did his part to immortalize James.  Very likely the scrimshander himself had Scottish roots, as did many American sailors in the 19th century.

In a reference book by Roger Baynton-Williams, “Investing In Maps,” 1969, Design Yearbook Limited, London, a color plate on page 48 is captioned “Vrints: North Italy, published by Ortelius 1608.”  Prominent in the central cartouche are two griffins flanking an identical cross within an oval shield as that worn by the king in this offering.


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4.43  WHALEBONE WHISTLE.  Genuine 19th century whistle made entirely of whalebone!  This lovely example of old sailor craftsmanship was beautifully turned in a pleasingly bulbous form from a solid piece of sperm whale pan bone which was hollowed out.  The hollow was then filled with a trilling ball and a wooden plug.  It is fitted with a turned stem rove through with a small hole for hanging on a necklace or thong.  When blown this whistle produces a loud, shrill sound with a modulated tone.  It measures 2 3/8 inches long and 7/8 inches wide.  Outstanding original condition with a nice age patina.  249

 

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4.51  SCRIMSHAW  BOWIE KNIFE/CRIBBAGE BOARD.  Truly exceptional Eskimo knife fashioned entirely out of a walrus tusk ivory.  This incredible example of native North American ethnic art was made by a master artisan with superb skills.  The long thin (about 1/16th inch) blade is made of a single solid piece of walrus tusk 10 inches long.  Once side is engraved (scrimshawed) with a dog team pulling a sled with an Eskimo mushing.  The reverse of the blade is engraved with the most delicate floral pattern in the form of lovely leaves.  The blade is mortised into a solid walrus tusk handle secured with two ivory pins.  A stout hilt separates the two.  The unique handle is decorated with an image of a stalking arctic weasel while the reverse is an amazingly precise cribbage board decorated with recurring leaf patterns.  Circa 1920.  14 3/8 inches long overall by 3 inches wide on the hilt.  Absolutely perfect original condition with a mellow age patina.  1895

In Dorothy Jean Ray’s monumental and ground breaking work “Eskimo Art, Tradition and Innovation in North Alaska” 1977, Henry Art Gallery, Seattle, no examples are depicted which even approach the quality or construction of this rare example.  A genuine a museum piece in every respect!

Ex.  Sotheby’s Parke Bernet



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4.39

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.  POR

From the collection of a Fairhaven, Massachusetts whaling family.


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4.49  SPERMACETI CANDLES.   Mint, untouched boxed pair of rare spermaceti candles manufactured on the island of Nantucket from the scarce waxy substance found in the “case” or head of a sperm whale.  The lid of the box reads, “SPERMACETI CANDLES from Nantucket Island, Mass.  A spermaceti candle provided a soft light which was equal to the flame of four other candles and burned twice as long.  That candles could be made form “spermaceti,” as it was called, was discovered during the latter half of the 18th century.”  The box is 11 ¼ inches long.  The two candles are 11 inches long each.  249



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4.46  WHALE OIL.  Very scarce, early 1900’s can of precious sperm whale oil with the original full label still in tact.  It reads:  “NYE’S CLELBRATED OIL “Manufactured by Wm. F. NYE, Inc. Ne2w Bedford, Mass, U.S.A.”  Stamped in the middle is the nomenclature “38? F.C.T. –B.W. SPERM.”  At the top is an oval picture of a sperm whale in a flurry with a whale boat, captioned “THE CAPTURE.”  This authentic tin can of sperm whale oil is unmarked as to size, but it appears to be one pint.  The original contents are more than one half full.  The can, with original screw-on metal cap has some minor dents but is otherwise in very good condition.  6 inches tall by 4 inches wide and 1 2/4 inches thick.  295


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4.46

4.46  DECORATED SCRIMSHAW FID.  Genuine, turn-of-the-last century sailor-made fid fashioned out of a single piece of the dense panbone from a sperm whale’s jaw.  This handsome working tool has a rounded knob to fit in the palm.  It is connected by a cylindrical shaft which enlarges to a stout tapering shaft ending in a sharp point.  Such fids or “Marlin spikes” were used for working the strands in a line for splicing and other related ropework.  This scarce example has the added feature of being  beautifully scrimshawed with a classic spread-winged American eagle at the top.  8 inches long and 1 ¼ inches in diameter at the widest.  Outstanding original condition with  a light age patina.  It is rare to find sailor tools of whalebone, with the added desirability of being decorated with scrimshaw.  


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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.  389


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4.42   IDENTIFIED DARTING HARPOON.  Authentic 19th century American toggle harpoon known as a “darting iron.”  This genuine relic from the whale fishery is impressed “COLE” just forward of the pivot point on the toggle.  Then just behind it is punched mark “LB” (larboard boat) done by a sailor on the ship to denote the harpoon’s position on the larboard or left side (port) of the ship’s whaleboats.  This fine example of American whalecraft has a cast steel toggle head fitted to an iron shaft with a pivoting pin in the manner first conceived by African-American smithy Lewis Temple.  At the tail end of the shaft a loop was forge welded for fastening a line.  The end terminates in a sharp point which would have been swaged into a wooden harpoon pole.  39 inches long overall.  The toggle measures 7 inches.  Condition is excellent and original, noting expected pitting from actual use at sea.  1200

The concept of fastening to a whale and simultaneously killing it was an important goal pursued by many inventors during America’s golden age of whaling.  Several types of darting guns were designed, beginning in the 1860’s.  All shared the same basic concept
-- a harpoon gun was mounted on a standard harpoon pole which was hand-thrown like ordinary harpoons.  The difference was that an explosive projectile or “bomb lance” was mounted on the pole with its tapered projectile and forward pointing “trigger” consisting of a thin rod which detonated the bomb when it struck the whale.  Darting guns proved to be highly successful and afforded great success along with other whaling innovations into the late 19th century.

The Cole name was well known in the American whaling industry for nearly a century.  Luther Cole was born in 1822.  In 1839 he began his apprenticeship as a blacksmith to William Carsley in New Bedford.  When Carsley sold his business to the Macy’s, Cole stayed on until he eventually set up his own shop in Fairhaven, Mass. in the early 1860’s.  Luther’s son Edward (born 1859) began working with his father in the 1890’s.  Luther died in 1903.  Edward carried on, continuing the whalecraft business until the final days of whaling in 1924.   (Thomas Lytle, “Harpoons And Other Whalecraft,” 1984, The Old Dartmouth Historical Society, New Bedford, Massachusetts.)


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4.41  IDENTIFIED SCRIMSHAW SWIFT.  Lovely mid-19th century scrimshaw swift (yarn winder) with the rare aspect of having an engraved presentation which identifies the recipient and thus the whaleship captain maker!  This large classic swift is beautifully made of sperm whale panbone and whale tooth.  There are 48 individual stays double riveted on the top and bottom cage collars which are turned of whale tooth ivory and bound with silver wire.  The outside stays are attached in two places with silver rivets and tied in 3’s, top and bottom, with yarn.  The ivory cage collars revolve around the central whalebone shaft which is capped by a large ivory finial cup with decorative polychromed scribes.  Inlaid into its top is an early U.S. dime depicting a fasces, arrows and olive branches.  There is an adjustable clamp on the vertical whalebone shaft which elevates the cage to various diameters.   The spectacular “barrel clamp” for mounting is a work of art with numerous decorative turnings and scribes, exquisitely engraved with the recipient’s name, “ELIZA A. SHERMAN.”  She was the wife of Captain Daniel Sherman of the whaleship YOUNG PHOENIX.   The clamp has a threaded thumbscrew for mounting the swift on a table edge.  It is decoratively turned with polychromed scribes and is inlaid with a silver Liberty dime dated “1854.”  This scrimshaw swift is in absolutely outstanding original condition!  It measures 20 ½ inches tall and the cage expands to a working diameter of 21 inches.  It is rare to find any swift with a provenance or a date.  POR

Captain Daniel Sherman, husband of Eliza A. Sherman, was master of the whaleship YOUNG PHOENIX homeported in New Bedford, Massachusetts.  On November 12, 1867 the ship embarked on a voyage to the Indian Ocean whaling grounds.  The lengthy voyage lasted 3 ½ years, but it was extremely profitable.  The ship sent home 758 barrels of sperm oil, 705 barrels of whale oil and 4500 pounds of baleen (whalebone).  Upon its return, April 22, 1871, it discharged an additional 860 barrels of sperm oil, 73 barrels of whale oil and another 672 pounds of baleen.

The logbook of the ship YOUNG PHOENIX, November 6, 1867 – April 19, 1871 kept by Lucien A. Brott relates to a whaling voyage in the Indian Ocean.  It is held in the collection of the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

The venerable whaleship YOUNG PHOENIX was a 3-mased ship of 377 tons built by Barstow & Holmes in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts in 1822.  At the time of its sailing under Captain Sherman she was owned by William Phillips & Son of New Bedford.

The ship had an usually long and productive career, but ultimately was lost in the ice off of Point Barrow, Alaska in the 1870’s.  Contemporary accounts of her demise proliferated rumors that she continued to sail years afterward as a “ghost ship” borne on an ice floe!


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4.40  SCRIMSHAW PIE CRIMPER.   Particularly fine mid-19th century whaleman-made jagging wheel constructed entirely from the tooth of a large sperm whale.  This exceptional example has a solid ivory handle which terminates in a 3-tined fork.  The two section whale tooth handle is joined together in the middle with a baleen separator connected by two silver pins.  The “working end” consists of an eagle’s head with baleen eyes supporting a crenelated ivory wheel held on a silver axle running through the tip of its beak.  Two areas along the handle are carved with raised decorative architectural designs.  This rare example of utilitarian scrimshaw measures 7 inches long.  It is in an absolutely outstanding state of original preservation with a nice age patina.  The crimping wheel rotates freely. An old paper label is affixed to the side of the handle which we have chosen not to remove. A truly wonderful specimen of working scrimshaw – one of the best we have ever offered. 

Ex. Collection of a Fairhaven, Massachusetts whaling family.

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4.38  USIK.  Rare, authentic killing tool fabricated and used by the Alaskan Eskimos to kill seals.  This exceptionally large, decorated example is made of a bull Walrus penis bone having each end embellished with carved Walrus tusk images of arctic animals.  The large end is decorated with the high relief carving of a Polar Bear complete with teeth and pointed ears.  The opposite end, on the handle, bears a charming Walrus head with long pointed tusks.  The efficacy of this club can well be imagined.  It has the heft of dense bone, fits the hand perfectly and has a bulbous protrusion on the “working end” at the point of impact.  At ½ inch short of being 2 feet long, this is one of the largest and certainly nicest examples of its type we have ever encountered. POR

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4.37  WHALE OIL CASK STICK.  Extremely rare, scrimshaw whale oil cask measuring stick used to determine the volume of oil contained in a barrel.  This scarce example is exactly 3 feet long, but it is definitely not a yardstick.  It is made of mahogany with both ends tipped and pinned with whale ivory.  Both sides are inlaid with baleen and ivory markers.  The bottom half of one side indicates 16ths.  While the upper half on that side shows 4ths.  The reverse shows 8ths on one half, and the other half shows quarters (4ths) again.  The middle of this gauge stick has a silver sleeve joining the two halves. It is countersunk and pinned in place.  There is a very fine scribe line exactly in the middle to denote "one half."  Near the middle there is an overlapping repair which is sturdy and not particularly noticeable.  Attached to the stick is an old yellowed string tag which reads in part, “Whale (Ivory) wood Whale Oil Cask Measure.  Note Ivory Baleen Insert Measures.”  An exceptional example of "working scrimshaw."   There are easily a thousand scrimshaw walking sticks for every one of these that comes along!  695 Special Packaging

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4.36  SCRIMSHAW PIE CRIMPER.   Especially nice mid-19th century whaleman-made jagging wheel constructed entirely from the tooth of a large sperm whale.  This stunning example has a solid ivory handle with a downward crook on one end and two decorative scribes (not a joint) on the other.  The delicately crenulated wheel has six carved spokes pinned in the middle with a silver “axle.”  The end of the handle is adorned with an anatomically perfect fist clenching a pivoting ring.  Adding to the decorative nature of this working piece of scrimshaw are 4 rectangular inlays of mother-of-pearl on 3 sides.  This crimper measures 6 ½ inches overall with the handle being 5 1 /2 inches long from end to end.  Diameter of the wheel is 1 3/8ths inches.  Absolutely perfect original condition with a pleasing mellow age patina.  A truly wonderful specimen of this form of scrimshaw. 

Provenance:  CRN Auction, Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Ex. Collection of a Fairhaven, Massachusetts whaling family.


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4.34  SCRIMSHAW.  Exceptional mid-19th century sailor scrimshawed portrait of a lovely lady standing in a hoop skirt holding a delicately embroidered hanky in her right hand.  The extremely fine engraving on this tooth bears close examination under magnification.  It reveals the ultra fine details of her hair, a necklace, a broach, narrow patterned bodice, half length sleeves embellished with gossamer lace, her flowing skirt, just a hint of her lacey slip and of course her tiny, tiny feet!  What’s more this work of art is done on a very hefty, extremely wide bull whale’s tooth with a lovely mellow age patina.  As was typical of these early examples the tooth was “squared off” at the base so that it stands upright for display.  5 ¾ inches tall by 3 3/8 inches wide.  Excellent original condition, circa 1855.  2295

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4.32  SCRIMSHAW TOOL.  Authentic 19th century tool fashioned from the dense panbone of a sperm whale’s jaw.  It consists of long flat panel with a distinctive curve to fit the hand.  The “working end” is finely serrated with several grooves  while the opposite end terminates in a rounded point.  Such a device could have been used as a scraper or a seem rubber.  6 inches long by 1 inch wide.  It shows little signs of use with both sides exhibiting a mellow polish.  79

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4.31  TABUA.  Genuine 19th century Fijian tabua (pronounced “tambua”).  This fine example has the characteristic deep, dark patina acquired from bodily contact with the wearer and the tribal fires much a part of native life.  This authentic sperm whale’s tooth has small shell drill holes on each end of the curve, through which small thread was rove attaching a sennet (palm fiber) necklace.  5 ½ inches long and 2 inches thick.  Wonderful original patina.  The real deal.  795

Such important sperm whale’s teeth were highly prized in Polynesia.  In the Fiji Islands the characteristic manifestation is the tabua, signifying wealth and status of the owner.  It was usually a whole polished tooth, often incised with illegible inscriptions, hung as a pendant on the owner’s neck with a necklace of braided plant fiber.  Whalemen and China traders calling at Fiji found that such whale’s teeth were so valuable for barter that they were sometime willing to part with good scrimshaw.  (Stuart Frank, “More Scrimshaw Artists,” 1998, Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut).

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4.30  SCRIMSHAW.  Genuine, mid-19th century American scrimshaw with two endearing scenes.  One depicts a lovely young girl with ringlet curls wearing a dress with puffy sleeves and pantaloons.  Her left hand diminutively points to her chin as she clasps a single flower in her right.  She is shown standing atop a wooden stool which rests on a very detailed composite floor.  The reverse shows a grown woman, likely her mother and the wife of the sailor/father/scrimshander.  The woman is wearing a full, flowing dress with apron and is depicted sitting in a paint-decorated wooden chair.  Touchingly, she holds a nursing baby in her arms.  Again this charming scene is shown on a composite floor consisting of hundreds of meticulously-made cuts in the tooth’s surface.  This righteous old example of American scrimshaw dates to the 1860’s.  It is done on a nice size whale’s tooth with good proportions, which as almost always with such early work was squared off at the bottom so it would display upright.  It measures 6 inches tall and 2 ¾ inches wide, and weighs well over a pound.  Condition is excellent with the usual age checks, the most significant being that on the side of the mother.  The tooth has acquired a very desirable mellow age patina throughout.  Two charming antique scenes by a very accomplished scrimshander.  1495

 

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4.27  SCRIMSHAW SEAM RUBBER.  Very nice 19th century sailor’s shipboard tool carved entirely out of the dense panbone from a sperm whale’s jaw.  This authentic working sailmaker’s device is a fine example of what a talented whaleman could produce in his idle hours, furthering his trade as a competent seaman.  It is of typical form with a broad spade attached to a narrow handle.  The tip of the handle is embellished with a carved, diamond-shaped knob on all 4 sides.  The handle itself is octagonally-faceted with 3 sets of double scribes along its length.  The working spade end continues the decorative theme exhibiting another set of double scribes around its circumference with subtle scalloped furrows on its periphery.  In practice such tools were used by sailor sail makers to crease the edge of a sail before sewing (hemming) it.  This handsome example measures about 5 inches long by 1 ½ inches wide on the spade.  Perfect original condition exhibiting a lovely age patina indicative of years of actual use. 

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4.29  PIE CRIMPER.  Nice early American scrimshaw in the form of a jagging wheel carved from a single whale’s tooth.  This charming little pie crimper has a solid oblong handle with a carved rectangular end.  The finely crenulated wheel is also fashioned from whale tooth and is supported on a sterling pin between two bulbous arms above an interesting “hollow” carved in the front of the handle.  This lovely little example bears the original auction tag of Sotheby’s Parke Bernet, New York City from the 1980’s.  It measures  5 ½ inches long by 1 ¼ inches wide and the widest and nearly ½ inch thick.  Outstanding original condition with a nice mellow age patina.  A classic mid-19th century scrimshaw object which exhibits the whaleman’s melding of art and functionality.  795


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4.28  WHALEBONE FID.  Authentic 19th century working sailor’s fid carved entirely from the dense panbone of a sperm whale’s jaw.  This shipboard ropeworking tool is carved, not turned as evidenced by its oblong shape in cross section, and is slightly flat on two sides.  It measures exactly 6 inches long and is slightly more that 1 inch thick.  Nice age patina with some staining indicative of years of actual use.  125

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4.26

4.26  PIE CRIMPER.  Extra nice mid-1800’s scrimshaw pie crimper made entirely from the tooth of a sperm whale!  This simple but superbly elegant example consists of a solid whale ivory handle with a decoratively carved “tail” not unlike those seen on the very desirable seahorse crimpers produced during that era.  Obviously designed for actual use, this jagging wheel fits comfortably in the hand with a ridged area just behind the wheel for the thumb.  The large crenelated wheel was meticulously carved from whale ivory and is pinned in place with sterling sliver.  This lovely example of whaleman’s work measures just under 5 ½ inches long with the wheel itself 2 inches in diameter.  Outstanding original condition with no breaks, chips or cracks.  Lines seen in the handle are the grain of the ivory.  As is typical the wheel has warped somewhat with age.  A most desirable example of decorative “working scrimshaw.”   985

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4.25

4.25  SCRIMSHAW SEAM RUBBER. Truly outstanding mid-19th century American whaleman’s seam rubber carved from a solid piece of the dense panbone of a sperm whale’s jaw.  Seam rubbers were used to crease the edge of sail canvas prior to sewing.  This remarkable relic from the days of sail features a perfectly round knob atop a tapered bone shaft with decorative scribing along the edges.  It has acquired a wonderful deep age patina evidencing years of actual use.   4 ¼ inches long by 1 ¼ inches wide.  No kidding, this is really a great one! 

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4.24  WHALEBONE JIG.  Real, very early 1900’s fishing lure made from whalebone with brass and steel components.  This large “jig” was used to catch tuna and other predator fish of large size.  The substantial metal hook is wired and screwed to the panbone plate which had a brass eyelet and ring on the opposite end.  7 inches long overall by 1 inch wide.  Excellent original condition showing good use.   Bargain priced.  69


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4.22

4.22 SCRIMSHAW REFERENCE BOOK. Michael McManus, "A Treasury of American Scrimshaw," 1997, Penguin Studios, New York. 150 pages, hard cover with dust jacket. Without a doubt this is THE most colorful and detailed pictorial reference book ever written on the topic of scrimshaw! Mr. McManus has included over 200 full color plates of the finest scrimshaw in the world, from the collections of the then Kendall Whaling Museum, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the Peabody Essex Museum and Mystic Seaport Museum. The result is a stunning raisonné of every manner of scrimshaw ever produced. With each photograph the author has carefully documented size, composition and location of the object(s) and goes on to describe each fully, including maker (when known), history and function. Large format, 11 by 9 inches. As new condition and offered here at nearly the same price it sold for when originally published over 15 years ago! 39

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4.16

4.16  SEAM RUBBER.  Authentic mid-19th century or earlier sailor’s tool used to crease the edges of sail canvas prior to sewing.  The lovely hand-made example is carved of a dense dark wood like rosewood or lignum vitae.  It measures 4 ½ inches long and 2 ¼ inches wide.  Lovely original polished wood surfaces.  695

This seam rubber is the exact  item pictured on page 126 of E. Norman Flayderman’s landmark book entitled “Scrimshaw  and Scrimshanders Whales and Whalemen,” 1972,  N. Flayderman & Co., Inc. New Milford, Connecticut.  It is accompanied by an original letter from Mr. Flayderman on his letterhead reading, “This is to verify that the antique Scrimshaw seam rubber that accompanies this letter was part of my personal collection for many years.  It is the exact specimen I used to illustrate the work authored by myself SCRIMSHAW & SCRIMSHANDERS, WHALES & WHALEMEN (N. Flayderman & Co., New Milford, Connecticut, 1972) and appears on page 126 of that book on the bottom row, second from left.  This particular specimen is made from one-piece of very dark wood.  I considered it to be an excellent example of a classic scrimshaw artifact.”  Personally signed by E. Norman Flayderman.   (See item 4.15)

 

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4.15

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

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4.14

4.14 WHALEBONE BLOCK. Genuine, mid-19th century scrimshaw pulley made entirely from the dense panbone of a sperm whale. This authentic double block has two bone sheaves mounted on a bone spindle. The solid whalebone cheeks are held together in the traditional manner with hand-hammered copper rivets (not bone pins, so prevalent in contemporary fakes). Both sides and ends are grooved to accept a rope strop for actual use. This meticulously-made miniature block measures 2 ½ inches long by 1 ½ inches thick and is in outstanding original condition showing a rich age patina, wear and staining from actual use. A great little example.Special Packaging

A noted on-line antique auction offered a so-called “Antique Scrimshaw Double block” in November 2010. The item was of questionable construction and age with the telling bone pins. Yet it still managed to garner a bid of $335, short of its reserve.

http://www.maritiques.com/detail.asp?id=12758&pic=2#img

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4.81 WHALESHIP COMPASS. Genuine mid-19th century American ship's boxed compass from a New Bedford whaler. This large dry card compass has a beautifully-engraved paper card with an ornate, fleur-de-lis marking North. The other cardinal and intercardinal points are identified with additional embellishment on the East point, a carryover in compass making tradition since the Crusades of the Middle Ages! The compass rose is divided down to 1/4 points. At its center is the brass pivot with agate cap, encircled by the paper label bearing the signature of "*C. R. SHERMAN & Co.* NEW BEDFORD." The large, weighted brass bowl has its original glazed cover and is suspended within gimbals in its original dove-tailed pine box measuring 10 inches square and 7 inches high. Overall condition is excellent noting that the sliding cover is missing and there is an old repair on the bottom of the box. The compass card itself is 6 1/2 inches in diameter and is in perfect original condition. Fully functional. 1295Special Packaging

Charles R. Sherman worked for John Kehew in New Bedford, Massachusetts from 1849 to 1859. In 1865 Sherman took over the business as "C. R. Sherman & Co.," 49 North Water Street. In 1873 he changed the name of his company to simply Charles R. Sherman. That name remained until Sherman took his son into the business in 1881 when the firm name became Charles R. Sherman & Son. (M.V. Brewington, "The Peabody Museum Collection of Navigating Instruments," 1963, Peabody Museum, Salem, Mass.) Accordingly, it can be established with certainty that this compass was in New Bedford no later than 1873 -- the heyday of the American whale fishery! However, the fact that it bears a decorated East point indicates it is actually of much earlier manufacture, and came to Sherman for servicing or was resold by him.

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4.78 BONE BUSK. Very large mid-19th century lady's busk fashioned by a whaleman out of a single piece of the dense bone from a sperm whale's jaw known as "panbone." This lovely example is quite thin, yet broader and longer than most, measuring exactly 14 inches long by 2 inches in width. Rather than being rounded on each end this busk is ever so slightly tapered allowing it to more readily be slipped into the slot of a corset. Condition is outstanding with a great old patina and slight staining, as expected of such a utilitarian example of scrimshaw. With engraved scrimshaw busks selling in the several thousands, this large untouched example is a bargain. 549

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4.69 BODKIN/PIPE TAMPER. Well made 19th century sailor-made scrimshaw bodkin turned from a solid piece of sperm whale tooth. This dual purpose bodkin was alternatively designed as a pipe tamper, evidenced by the cross hatching on the "crown" top. The pointed shaft is decoratively turned with multiple ribs. Slightly over 2 1/2 inches long with a good age patina expected of such an implement. Excellent condition. 149

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4.68 CARVED BONE BODKIN. Wonderfully detailed 19th century sailor-made scrimshaw bodkin entirely hand-carved from a solid piece of dense panbone of a sperm whale. This finely carved free form example has a faceted diamond top decorated with 5 dots on each face. The top gives way to an incised, rectangular column atop a "ball." The lower portion consists of another incised rectangular section terminating in a pointed shaft. This folk art bodkin measures 3 inches long and has acquired a rich age patina. Excellent condition. 149


4.66 TURNED AND SCRIBED BODKIN. Beautifully executed 19th century sailor-made scrimshaw bodkin turned from a solid piece of sperm whale tooth. This delicately fashioned example is finely scribed and clearly exhibits the dentine and cementum layers. It has acquired a lovely surface iridescence and a mellow age patina. Just under 3 1/2 inches in length. Excellent condition. 199

According to Dr. Stuart Frank, Co-Curator of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, who has personally inspected this piece, antique whale tooth ivory often exhibits a unique iridescence which was only acquired after prolonged exposure to light and air over a great period of time.


4.65 "ARCHITECTURAL" BODKIN. Unique 19th century sailor-made scrimshaw bodkin entirely hand-carved from a solid piece of sperm whale tooth. This unusual example consists of a "stack" of 7 incised furrows in the top terminating in a bulbous pointed shaft. Remarkably, the top bears a hole which was not drilled, but actually represents the tip of the root cavity of the tooth from which it was carved! 2/34 inches long by 1/2 inch wide. Excellent original condition with a mellow age patina. 199

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4.64 TURNED AND INLAID BODKIN. Especially lovely 19th century sailor-made scrimshaw bodkin turned from a solid piece of sperm whale tooth, with mother of pearl and colorful wax inlays. This finely crafted example is short and stout with a bulbous pointed shaft and a delicately turned top. It measures a mere 2 3/4 inches long by 5/8ths inches wide. Excellent original condition with one small age crack. As is uniquely characteristic of elongated sections of whale ivory, the shaft has bowed slightly in the direction of the cementum -- a good visual sign of its authenticity. 249

Dr. Stuart Frank, Co-Curator of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, has personally inspected this bodkin. According to Dr. Frank, whale tooth ivory, like elephant ivory, has no enamel. The tooth or tusk consists of dentine with a cementum core. The dissimilarity of the two materials is often apparent visually, especially in whale teeth and is a good "test" for that substance. The unique warpage of whale tooth material with age was also acknowledged as having been observed and documented by The Museum.


4.44 EQUESTRIAN SCRIMSHAW. Authentic, second half of the 19th century American whaleman-done scrimshaw on a good-sized, nearly solid sperm whale's tooth. The intaglio-style engraving depicts an equestrian dressed in formal riding attire mounted atop his prancing steed. In one hand the rider holds a riding crop with the reigns in the other. The engraving is done in a steady hand using fine parallel lines to render subtle shading differences. This hefty bull whale's tooth measures 6 1/4 inches long by nearly 3 inches wide, weighs over 1 1/4 pounds and has a nice authentic age patina. The bottom of the tooth was originally squared off so that it stands upright. Condition is outstanding.

The size and shape of this bull sperm whale tooth is very reminiscent of those engraved by pioneer scrimshander Frederick Myrick earlier in the 19th century.

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4.90 SCRIMSHAW REFERENCE BOOK. Edouard A. Stackpole, "Scrimshaw At Mystic Seaport," 1958, Second printing 1966, The Marine Historical Association, Incorporated, Mystic, Connecticut, 53 pages, hard cloth cover with dust jacket. Written in 1955, Everett Crosby's landmark book, "Susan's Teeth and Much About Scrimshaw" was the first book ever published on the topic of scrimshaw. The book offered here was published just 3 years later as a more scholarly and comprehensive "introduction to scrimshaw." Accordingly, the book's introduction is well worth quoting: "A century ago the American whalefishery, the most extensive and lucrative in world history, was just past its peak. As a theme for adventure in industry, whaling had few peers. As a nursery for seamen it was unrivaled. By the same token it was one of the hardest and most brutal seafaring activities the world has ever known. The whalemen of New England established a record for daring and enterprise that was never equaled. At first whales were taken near shore. In 1716, Capt. Christopher Hussey of Nantucket, sighted and killed a sperm whale at sea off that island, thus beginning one of the most exciting chapters in American Maritime history which culminated in voyages around the world sometime lasting 4 and 5 years! It was during those long arduous, but often monotonous trips that scrimshaw gave creative relief to the sailors. It is against this backdrop that the marvelous creations contained within these chapters are presented." 14

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15.69 WHALESHIP PHOTOGRAPH. Late 19th century or very early 1900's sepia photograph of the whaling Bark CANTON underway at sea. This large original photograph shows a starboard bow aspect of the vessel under full sail. Most likely it was taken by the photographer while in a whaleboat, as only one of the two starboard side boats is shown in its davits! This excellent old image measures 15 1/2 by 20 inches sight and is housed in its original black oak frame with fine mat under old wavy glass measuring 27 by 32 inches. Outstanding, virtually perfect original condition. 795 Special Packaging

Authorship of this photograph is attributed to famous phographer, writer and historian, Albert Cook Church who wrote the book, "Whale Ships and Whaling." On page 165, entitled "Data on the Vessels Illustrated" there is an entry for the CANTON listed as a bark of 238.82 tons, length of 103.1 feet, beam of 24.8 feet, depth of 15.4 feet, built in Baltimore in 1835. According to The "Continuation of Alexander Starbucks's History of the American Whales Fishery 1876 - 1928" the CANTON saw service as a whaler out of the port of New Bedford in 1874 under the command of Peleg Sherman on a very successful voyage to the Indian Ocean which netted 1530 barrels of sperm oil. The ship pressed on in continuous service logging at least 14 whaling voyages. She met her demise in the Cape Verde Islands on November 9th, 1910 on a voyage which began in 1909. Accordingly this photograph has to date prior to 1909.

The venerable 227 ton whaleship CANTON was built in Swansea, Wales in 1836. According to The "Continuation of Alexander Starbucks's History of the American Whales Fishery 1876 - 1928" the CANTON first saw service as a whaler out of the port of New Bedford in 1874 under the command of Peleg Sherman on a very successful voyage to the Indian Ocean which netted 1530 barrels of sperm oil. The ship pressed on in continuous service logging at least 14 whaling voyages. She met her demise in the Cape Verde Islands on November 9th, 1910 on a voyage which began in 1909. Accordingly this photograph can be dated prior to 1909.

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20.10 SCRIMSHAW CANE. Striking 19th century sailor-carved going ashore cane with a large ivory handle in the form of a classic sailor subject, the "Naughty Nellie" leg. The large handle is carved from as single piece of walrus tusk ivory and quite surprisingly fits the user's hand perfectly! Detailing includes the outline of the shoe and the top of a stocking above the calf. The handle is attached to the lovely tapering rosewood shaft by checkerboard separators of ebony and ivory, with an ebony spacer at the top and an ivory spacer at the bottom. Overall condition is excellent with the handle showing a mellow age patina with a quite acceptable fine age crack on one side indicative of its age. The cane measures 31 and 3/4 inches high and the handle 4 and 3/4 inches long. Guaranteed period and all original. A very risqué representation for its time embodying a remarkable scrimshaw stick! 1495

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 20.36 SCRIMSHAW CANE. Fine 19th sailor made scrimshaw cane with a uniquely shaped handle carved entirely out of whale tooth ivory. This genuine whaleman's cane has a "hammer head" grip inlaid with a small mother-of-pearl disc on the top. The grip is attached with a silver pin to a separator of baleen atop another whale ivory section. That in turn is connected to the knobby wood shaft which terminates in its original large brass  ferrule with steel tip. The cane measures 33 1/4 inches long overall and the handle is 4 1/2 inches wide. This cane is in excellent, completely original, unmodified condition, showing good honest wear and use. A very nice example of a bona fide scrimshaw walking stick from the 1800's.  675  

 

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20.70  SCRIMSHAW LADY’s CANE.   Fine mid-1800’s whaleman-made scrimshaw cane fashioned for a wife or sweetheart.  This lovely walking stick is carved entirely of a single piece of whalebone forming an octagonal shaft gradually tapering to a rounded tip.  The knob is carved of whale tooth ivory in a matching octagonal fashion with a decorative inlay of colorful abalone shell in the top.  As is typical of mid-19th century walking sticks, this cane has a hole through the shaft just below the knob which would have accommodated thong.  31 ¾ inches long with the knob 1 3/8 inches in diameter.  A honest example of a mid-19th century scrimshaw walking stick in superb original condition.  995


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20.31 SCRIMSHAW CANE WITH PROVENANCE.  Exceptional 19th century sailor's scrimshaw walking stick with a classic fist knob. This handsome walking stick has a solid whale ivory handle meticulously carved in the form of an anatomically perfect clenched fist, complete with fingernails and skin folds. Execution of this carving is of the highest order found in such work.  Below the fist is a carved cuff joined to the gradually tapering rosewood shaft terminating with the original whale ivory ferrule at the tip. This fine walking stick measures just over 3 feet in length and is in absolutely perfect original condition. A wonderful example of whaler folk art that is GUARANTEED to be authentic and untouched. 

This cane was acquired in Massachusetts from the Jernegan family of Cape Cod.  The Jenergan name was well known in Yankee whaling from 1850 onward.  Jared Jernegan, Nathaniel and William were masters of such famous whale ships as ERIE, ROMAN, NIGER and REBECCA SIMMS, among others. 

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Also see catalog pages 2, 11 and 20 for more sailor-made folk art items.


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