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.
A0310 RARE SCRIMSHAW SPERM WHALE TOOTH DEPICTING THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH
Very rare and probably unique subject scrimshaw whale tooth depicting California "49ers" loaded with gold. On one side he rides an elephant. The popular phrase during the Gold Rush, "I have seen the elephant" is reflected in the depiction of the elephant. On the reverse our 49er rides a camel with bags labeled "California Gold Dust". The riders are heading east for home, but above we see a whole menagerie of critters heading west for California. One rides a steam powered sidewheel flying fish with a man clinging to his coat with the phrase "WHEW for the DIGGINS". Length 6.5"
SOLD
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.
POR
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.
$8250
A0262 FINE POLYCHROME SCRIMSHAW WHALEBONE CORSET BUSK
This exceptional busk is finely engraved with a variety of subjects and symbols. At the top is a spread-wing eagle followed by a cupola festooned with American flags. At the bottom, an observatory with flags and a Sperm whale weather vane, together with floral decoration. There is a cartouche with an unintelligible name. Stain to the reverse and edge as seen. 12 inches.
SOLD
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 "
$3450
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
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
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
A0277 RARE LARGE BOTTLE OF SPERM WHALE OIL
This early 20th century bottle of sperm whale oil was manufactured by the Coffin Redington Company of San Francisco. The firm began business during the Gold Rush and became the largest drug wholesale business in California. Andrew Coffin was born in Nantucket and sailed on one of his fathers whalers before going to San Francisco to join the Redington firm.
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Bottle measures 7 1/2 inches.
SOLD
A0264 RARE BLUBBER MINCING KNIFE WITH SHEATH
This authentic mincing knife is a rare example of the various tools used to process whales. Once the blubber was cut into chunks called "Horse Pieces", the mincing knife was used to cut thin slices partially through that resembled an open book, called "Bible leaves". This example retains it's original wood sheath marked on one side with the letter "L". Part of the sheath on one side has been broken off. Still has whale oil seeped into the wood. 36 inches wide.