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.
A0311 WHALING CAPTAIN CHARLES BARTON'S SPEAKING TRUMPET
A rare and important artifact from Warren Rhode Island's whaling history. This speaking trumpet belonged to Capt. Charles Barton and whose name is engraved around the trumpet. Capt. Barton was master of the shipBoyfrom 1836 - 46, then the shipLafayette, 1848 - 52 and finally the barkFlorence1852 - 55
The trumpet is made of heavy brass. The edges of the mouthpiece was purposely turned down. Measures 22 inches
$1500
A0324 LARGE SCRIMSHAW WHALEBONE FID
Massive sailor made whalebone fid measuring 17 1/4 inches.
$1250
A0313 SCRIMSHAW WHALEBONE FID
Exceptional 19th century sailor made whalebone fid with decorative carved handle. With fine mellow patina. 8 inches.
$550
A0312 SCRIMSHAW CARPENTER'S SQUARE
19th century large scrimshaw carpenter's square inlayed on both sides of the handle with whalebone stars diamonds and crescent moons. 13 x 11. Found on Nantucket
$550
A0314 SCRIMSHAW CARPENTER'S SCRIBE
A fine 19th century carpenter's scribe is certainly the tool of a whaleship's carpenter. It's decorated and embellished with whalebone. The thumbscrew is marked "S W" which is probably the initials of the maker.
Measures 9 inches
$425
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
A0321 VERY RARE WHALEBOAT PADDLE
A fine and rare wood whaleboat paddle made with wide wood painted blade and riveted to long handle. The blade is marked "S B" for Starboard Boat though the "B" is mostly worn off.
When acquired the blade was split down the middle and loose. It was repaired.
All whaleboats carried paddles besides the long oars.
71 inches long.
Formerly in the collection of the Valley Forge Historical Society.
$650
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
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.
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
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
A0166 SCRIMSHAW WHALE TOOTH
A fine mid 19th century whale tooth depicting a ship on one side and a figure of Columbia on the other with decorative floral and star elements. Enhanced with some polychrome. 5.5 inches. Some cracks.
$3250
A0288 FINE TURNED SCRIMSHAW WHALEBONE FID
This 19th century whalebone fid is a step up from the usual more plain fids. Made with a finely turned handle and decorative ring. Nice aged patina. 12 3/4 inches.
SOLD
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
A0283 RARE WHALEBOAT LANTERN KEG
Lantern kegs were part of a whaleboat's gear. They held a lantern and supplies in case a whaleboat got separated from the ship.
This example is tapered cask bound with iron with an ivory label. Measures
18 3/4 inches tall. From the Morgan Levine Collection
$925
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
A0290 RARE WHALING GOUGE SPADE
An extremely rare whaling spade is this gouge or half-round spade. They were used to cut a round hole on the blubber for attaching hooks or blubber toggles. They were rarely used as holes were generally cut using boarding knives.
$750
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
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.
