Whaling & Scrimshaw
Scrimshaw and whaling artifacts are among the most popular areas of nautical collecting. We carry a variety these items including: harpoons, lances and other items in the whalecraft arena. Scrimshaw includes a whole variety of whale ivory and whalebone articles made by whalemen. All are guaranteed authentic 19th century examples.
A0358 IMPORTANT SEA BAG BELONGING TO CAPTAIN CHARLES C. MOOERS ON THE BARK KATHLEEN 1860-1864
This sail cloth sea bag belonged to Captain Charles C. Mooers (1818-1891). He was master of the ill fated KATHLEEN which was sunk by a whale in 1902. Mooers commanded the KATHLEEN from 1860-1864.
Hand made of canvas sail cloth with hand whipped grommets securing six lanyard strands and rope-work with a loop at the end. The sea bag is inscribed “Ch C. Mooers Bk Kathleen New Bedford” 31 inches tall.
$1500
A0351 RARE CASE BAILER FROM THE WHALING BARK WANDERER. EX BARBARA JOHNSON COLLECTION.
“WANDERER” is painted on the side. This example measures 21 ½ x 11 inches, Attached on opposite sides at the top, a rope joined around a wood thimble which was used to lower and raise the bailer.
This bucket appears to have never been used, therefore its reasonable to assume it was recovered from the wreck of the WANDERER on her outward bound voyage in 1921.
The case bailer was a deep wood bucket used to extract the spermaceti oil from the head of the whale. A man would be lowered from the ship with the bucket to scoop out the oil.
Exhibited at the American Folk Art Museum, Hunt for the Whale. 1967
$1500
SOLD
A0347 SCOTTISH DOUBLE FLUE HARPOON FROM THE SHIP WILLIAM YOUNG, DATED 1831.
A fine British style hand thrown double flue harpoon with stop withers. Is marked “WM. YOUNG” and dated 1831. The reverse marked “W. A” for the unidentified maker.
The ship WILLIAM YOUNG was owned by the W. & G. Young. This iron was used on the vessel on a voyage when she was crushed in the ice off Greenland.
$2650
SOLD
A0352 UNIQUE SCRIMSHAW WHALE IVORY PIE CRUST “STAR” PIERCER. EX BARBARA JOHNSON COLLECTION.
Finely turned whale ivory handle with baleen separators with hand carved points on the working end that form a star. 5 ½ inches.
This is the only example we know of. Barbara Johnson identified it as a biscuit punch found on Nantucket. However we think more likely was used to decorate pie crusts. The star pattern produced can make a starry constellation on a pie. We actually used it on a small chicken pie.
$675
A0338 WHALING JOURNAL LOG BARK TRITON 1857-1860
This manuscript whaling journal was written by John A Bennett a “Greenhand” on the bark TRITON on a voyage to the Pacific from 1857 to 1860. 34 written pages with some pencil drawings. John Allen Bennett from North Rochester MA was 16 years old when deciding to see the world on a whaler. He titles himself
“The Rambling Sailor”. His journal records the entire voyage, but doesn’t write everyday, generally when whales are seen, chased and taken, when in ports or when a significant event occurs. He records the names of his fellow crew members, including his older brother. He lists their station in the ship as well as in the boats. Bennett is assigned "aft oar" in the larboard boat.
Bennett's journal records the voyage from New Bedford, around the horn to the Pacific. He records ports of call and vessels spoken and any incident encountered.
John A Bennett did not make whaling his career. This was his one and only voyage. In 1861 at the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlists in the Union Army, Co. B, 13th Massachusetts Infantry. An archive of his Civil War letters is preserved and records his service from 1861-63.
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$2500
SOLD
A0330 PAIR OF SCRIMSHAW POLYCHROME TEETH BY THE THISTLE ENGRAVER C. 1840
The Thistle Engraver, so called, is known for his garlands of thistles surrounding ships and figures. His work is beautifully executed with color. This pair depicts on the obverse, ships titled "Outward Bound" and "Home Bound". The reverse male and female figures in Scottish dress depicted with the national flag of Scotland. The figures may represent Rob Roy MacGregor and his wife Mary.
The teeth measure 5.5 inches. The teeth have old chips on the tip and base.
$4500
A0340 SHIP'S DOCUMENT BOX FOR SHIP HERALD
A very fine painted whaling ship agent's box for the whaleship HERALD. Made of pine with dovetail joints and hinged lid. Identified in gold paint "SHIP HERALD"
The ship HERALD was built in Newbury Mass. in 1818 for the merchant service. In the 1820s she was in the Northwest fur trade. Became a whaler in 1830 out of New Bedford
$950
SOLD
A0334 UNUSUAL WHALEBONE AND IVORY SWIFT WITH SCRIMSHAW WHALE TOOTH CLAMP
What make this swift so rare and unusual is the clamp made from a whale tooth plus being engraved with scrimshaw decorations. It is the only example we know so constructed.
The swift is composed of a central whalebone shaft with a turned whale ivory goblet finial. The double-cage of whalebone ribs and struts. The ribbons are replacements. The clamp is made from a 5 3/4 inch whale tooth profusely engraved with young children and floral decorations. The ornate thumbscrew made of whale ivory. Overall height is 19 1/2 inches.
$3750
A0206 SCRIMSHAW WHALE TOOTH
Though damaged many years ago, this scrimshaw whale tooth is exceptional showing a very active whaling scenes on both sides. A full rigged ship is shown with whaleboats pursuing Sperm whales near an island with active volcano and fort with lighthouse.
The opposite side is a flurry of whaling activity: Boats being upturned as the whales take their revenge.
Though damaged as seen, the tooth is stable. Measures 7 "
$2850HOLD
A0289 LARGE SCRIMSHAW TOOTH BY GEORGE O. HILIOTT
Depicts a pair of Polynesian figures under palm trees, dressed in grass skirts and pointing to a whaling scene. The standing figure’s hair is in a topknot and holds a long club, while the other kneels looking back towards her companion. The other side show a young woman holding a letter in oval frame surrounded by green leaves. A blank car-touche at the base. 7 inches.
There is a handful of scrimshaw sperm whale teeth firmly attributed to Hiliott, with one signed. 2 are in the collections of the New Bedford Whaling Museum and 3 in the Nantucket Historical Society. Each depicts one or more Polynesian Wahinees posed under palm trees.
$11,500
A0293 DOUBLE FLUE HARPOON BARK TENEDOS
A very scarce double flue harpoon probably from the bark TENEDOS. It is marked "TED" but the middle line in the letter "E" is lacking. Still the closest identity is for the New London ship.
She was purchased from Boston in 1840 and ended her days as one of the "Stone Fleet" during the Civil War. Also bears the unidentified initials of the maker plus a boat mark. 39.5 inches.
$2850
A0318 RARE WHALING BLUBBER MNCING KNIFE
This authentic mincing knife is made with a large thin steel blade, reinforced along the back with wood handles on each end. It shows evidence of being well used. The reinforce back has numerous holes, a feature we have not seen before.
Overall surface rust. Other wise good condition. 38 inches long.
Formerly in the collection of the Valley Forge Historical Society.
$650
A0291 EBEN PIERCE FIRST MODEL DARTING GUN 1865
This is the first model Eben Pierce darting gun patented in 1865. The first model was a muzzle-loaded gun with a simple firing mechanism that was fired by a sliding rod which when striking the whale, slid back to disengage the spring loaded hammer to discharge the gun. A stiff leather sleeve was used to cover the mechanism to protect it from moisture.
This example is mounted on it’s original or old pole with early rope and bomb lance. The leather sleeve which rarely survives, is fully intact and is the best example known. It is marked: “E. PIERCE 1865” with a model number “109” stamped on the breech in 2 places. Also bears a “S S” also in 2 places. The “SS” meaning is unknown. Lacks the sliding trigger rod. Overall length is 77 inches.
$2500
A0325 MOUNTED WHALING KILLING LANCE BY J. D. DRIGGS
This killing lance is mounted on its original pole. The head is stamped "J D DRIGGS" on one side and "CAST STEEL" on the other side. It retains its original serving around the socket,
The original pole has 8 sided faceting on the forward part which is unusual. The original warp line was lost but has been re-rigged using period warp line. Iron is 5 foot plus and overall length is 135 inches.
$2150
SOLD
A0243 RARE MARKED SINGLE FLUE HARPOON
This very rare and important single flue harpoon is fully marked J D (James Durfee), the ship mark, BRK LDS for the bark Leonidas and the boat mark with looks like a arrow point. It is exceptional having an extremely long, 7 inch barb. Overall length, 35 3/8 inches
The Leonidas was built in Scituate MA in 1826 as a merchant ship and as sunk as part of the stone fleet during the Civil War.
$4950
A0276 SCRIMSHAW CARVED SPERM WHALE TEETH OF GILBERT ISLANDS WARRIORS
A remarkable pair of relief carved sperm whale teeth depicting male and female Gilbert Islands warriors, each holding shark toothed weapons and coconut-shell toddy containers. The warriors are clearly identified as Gilbert Islanders because of the Kiribati shark tooth weapons they hold. These teeth are featured in an article by Stuart M. Frank in the Scrimshaw Observer which will be included with the teeth.
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These teeth were not done by the natives of Gilbert Islands but by an unknown whaleman. They are related to other relief carved teeth which depicts ancient Pictish warriors which also show male and female warriors are holding weapons.
This pair of teeth are probably unique. They measure 6 inches and have a fine mellow patina. They once were mounted in a stand which is now missing.