The photos are taken with a macro lens and are magnified. Therefore, any marks or wear visible in the photos will be far less visible to the eye.

For sale: A genuine and stunning rare scrimshaw

Firstly, this is guaranteed to be a genuine antique tooth with genuine antique whalemen's scrimshaw. You are welcome to view the tooth in central London, UK, to confirm this for yourself.

The ship depicted in the piece is the Emerald of Salem, Massachusetts, US. Research has revealed that the sperm whale tooth comes from a voyage by the Emerald around Lord Howe Island, during one of two voyages across the Tasman sea, in either 1838 or 1840 - the best era of American scrimshaw.

The scrimshaw is very fine, a beautiful piece of work. The tooth weighs 1.45lbs - very heavy in the hand - and measures 140mm [6 inches] in length [measured in a straight line] x 80mm [3.2 inches] wide at its widest.

The tooth has been confirmed genuine by a number of experts, including:

Michael P. Dyer, Maritime Curator, New Bedford Whaling Museum, USA

You have a very fine piece of scrimshaw. It is important to note that the bark Emerald for most of her career was a Salem vessel. She made only one voyage from New Bedford. What I like about the piece is its consistency with whalemen's work. Whales were often drawn with coordinates. The coordinates for your tooth coincide with the waters around Lord Howe Island, where the bark Emerald of Salem sailed, and sure enough, there is an island in the background.

The tooth has elements consistent with whalemen's work and that the location indicated on the tooth is also consistent with two of the voyages of the bark Emerald of Salem, Massachusetts. The bark Emerald of Salem made two voyages that crossed the Tasman sea from the East Indies to Hobart, one in 1838 and another in 1840. Lord Howe Island can be found in the Tasman sea. It is a good piece from the best era of American scrimshaw, the 1830s and 40s.

Sincerely yours, Michael

Douglass Moody, Renowned collector and expert, Long Beach, California USA

I wish that your piece was in my collection.
Greasy Luck to you, Douglass

Charles Miller of Charles Miller Martime Collectables and ex head of Maritime at Christies auctioneers, London

A very fine piece of scrimshaw; one that I would like to include in my forthcoming auction.

Message from the seller

I am open to sensible offers for the tooth. The highest offer will take ownership of this lovely piece. Once I accept an offer, the blue 'flash' in the top right hand of the corner of this page will change to red with the word 'sold'.

I accept Paypal, personal cheque (UK only) or bank transfer. I am also happy to consider Escrow, with the buyer paying the fees. If you go to the 'Contact' tab above you will find my contact details.

Stephen Baring
London, UK.

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