Questions on SCRIMSHAW
Brian Mackay
I recently aquired two scrimshaw pieces, and was wondering what is the
general worth of scrimshaw and is there a market for scrimshaw. I don't
want to sell them as I think that they are very unique, and make great
conversation.
First scrimshaw is a whale tooth: Etching is of a three masted
ship called SUSAN, on the other side is the US Coat of arms with the date
1830 incribed above.
Second scrimshaw is possibly walrus (SP) tusk or whale ivory
approx one foot long, etched with "THE BARK CAVALIER of New Bedford" on
one side and the other side showing the village of New Bedford and the
intials LM inscribed on the end. The script of the writing and the
village scene put the date at the late 17th early 18th c.
Any info would be of great help.
Thanks,
Brian Mackay
Kiki Hiott
high...@netaxs.com says...
Hi Brian, Your questions sound familiar to me for two reasons: 1. I
asked about scrimshaw about a year ago because my husband and I bought
some that was inexpensive. 2. Your New Bedford piece sounds identical
to ours! I began to wonder if our pieces were really old and really
bone. They weren't. They alas are plastic or some sort of resin. You
can tell by heating (I used a wood burner) a hidden part. If it
melts/smells like burning plastic, thats what you have. We still like
our peices...they are beautiful. BUT! They aren't authentic. They are
copies. Good luck. Kiki
>
jeff lehman
high...@netaxs.com says...
>
>
>I recently aquired two scrimshaw pieces, and was wondering what is the
>general worth of scrimshaw and is there a market for scrimshaw. I don't
>want to sell them as I think that they are very unique, and make great
>conversation.
>
[...]
*IF* they are genuine scrimshaw, they would bring about $100-150 each at an
antique shop. Maybe more. But there's a LOT of fake scrimshaw out there. I
bought some a couple years ago. It looked very good -- the engraving looked
like hand work and the designs and dates were absolutely correct. You should
check your pieces even if the dealer from whom you bought them swore they
were genuine.
The best quick test to distinguish tooth and bone from plastic requires a hot
needle. Put a needle in a flame until it is red hot, then touch it to an
inconspicuous place on the piece. Smell the smoke. If it smells like
burning hair, it's probably bone. If it smells like plastic, it's plastic.
Other giveaways:
Look at the base of the piece -- is it sawn or rough? Plastic is more likely
to be sawn. Look very closely -- are there little spherical holes? These
are bubbles, present in plastic, not in bone or tooth.
Is it stained all over, including the base? If so, probably plastic (dipping
versus wiping).
Bill Momsen
scrimshaw. I would almost guarantee 100% that your "Susan" tooth is a
replica. The original "Susan" teeth were scrimmed by Myrick aboard that
ship in the early 1800s. Only a dozen are known, and they sell for
$40,000+.
Scrimshaw is a difficult subject. There are many polymer (plastic) repros
out there. To test if it is a genuine whale's tooth heat a pin red-hot
and try to push it into the object. If it goes in, it is plastic; whale's
teeth are very dense and hard.
Even if it is a genuine tooth, the etching may be not contemporary with
the age of the tooth. These are not really "fakes", and some excellent
work has been done by modern scrimshanders, but it is not antique.
- Bill Momsen, Publisher
Nautical Brass magazine
For the collector of nautical antiques
http://www.supernet.net/commerce/nbrass.htm
The KitcheNet
>I recently aquired two scrimshaw pieces, and was wondering what is the
>general worth of scrimshaw and is there a market for scrimshaw. I don't
>want to sell them as I think that they are very unique, and make great
>conversation.
>
> First scrimshaw is a whale tooth: Etching is of a three masted
>ship called SUSAN, on the other side is the US Coat of arms with the date
>1830 incribed above.
> Second scrimshaw is possibly walrus (SP) tusk or whale ivory
>approx one foot long, etched with "THE BARK CAVALIER of New Bedford" on
>one side and the other side showing the village of New Bedford and the
>intials LM inscribed on the end. The script of the writing and the
>village scene put the date at the late 17th early 18th c.
>Any info would be of great help.
>Thanks,
>Brian Mackay
Hi Brian.....
There are many fakes out there!
Several years ago....while in England, at a market.....I bought one,
very excited about it ...my husbans told me that there are loads of
repros out.... Wanting to believe that I had just gotten the real
thing we turned the corner to see a table filled with a dime a dozen
scrimshaws....boohoo
Good luck ...hope your's are real!
Fran
G.Werner
My experience was similar to that of Fran. But unfortunately mine cost me
a week in England. I cut my trip short that much to afford my repro
scrimshaw. After buying my first I was heading to Hethro and decided to
show it at another shop that specialized in Navil antiques. The owner at
first thought that I had made a great deal.That was until he saw the root
depth, and tip color. Frustrated I returned to where I had bought it and
the owner swore that he himself didn't know. He told me to choose a
second one from the showcase. Equipped with my vast Knowledge of
scrimshaw I picked the tooth with the the most yellow tip and deepest
root. You guessed it, Another Fake (a better one).But they do make a
great conversation piece. Hope your experience is better.
Glenn
OLDER AND WISER
Jon Dennington
the item is marked incorrectly eg "Real scrimshaw dated x" when it
is not, the shopkeeper is breaking the Sale of Goods Act, and must
give a refund or face prosecution.
If the item just has a price tag of x amount, then no claims are
being made for the piece and it is up to the buyer to decide what
it is and how old it is.
If the tag has a question mark after it, this is tricky eg
"Scrimshaw?" as it implies an uncertain claim on the sellers
behalf.
If the price tag has "A.F." on it, this means "as found" and means
the item is broken or repaired.
Finally, you can often work out the lowest or trade price that
will be accepted from the price tag. If it has a sticker for 45 UKP
but on the bottom says T38 it means that they will accept 38 UKP
or lower for the piece!
My favourite label was on a gold metal coloured chain purse. The
tag said [ 5 UKP...real gold...ha ha!!]. I bought it......and it
was!!!!!!!!!!
Jon