2nd Nov, 2021 10:00

Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Zephyr)

 
  Lot 47
 

47

[M] Ø A FINE AND UNUSUAL SECTION OF SCRIMSHAW DECORATED NARWHAL TUSK

Ø A FINE AND UNUSUAL SECTION OF SCRIMSHAW DECORATED NARWHAL TUSK, CIRCA 1880

the top cut away and polished and depicting a busy whaling scene with icebergs including a whaler being shattered by a whale, inscribed Bark Wanderer of New Bedford -- 15in. (38cm.) long; 1233g

Provenance: Understood to have come from the private collection of a whaling family on the Orkney Islands.

Launched from the shipyard of J.H. Holmes and Sons on April 16, 1878 for owners Gifford and Cummings of New Bedford, the bark Wanderer was one of the the last whaling ships built in New Bedford and was registered at 140 feet with a crew of 30 men. Over 20 years she made 11 profitable cruises, however her most successful voyage was during WWI. Following four years at sea, the Wanderer returned to New Bedford in 1917 with a cargo of 6,200 barrels of oil possibly the largest number of barrels of oil in whaling history. The end was, however, in sight and she witnessed the decline of the whaling industry as alternative cheaper sources of fuel came to market. By the time she was wrecked off Cuttyhunk Island in 1924, she was barely able to operate in profit as the price of whale oil had dropped to a mere 30 cents a gallon.


 

Ø A FINE AND UNUSUAL SECTION OF SCRIMSHAW DECORATED NARWHAL TUSK, CIRCA 1880

the top cut away and polished and depicting a busy whaling scene with icebergs including a whaler being shattered by a whale, inscribed Bark Wanderer of New Bedford -- 15in. (38cm.) long; 1233g

Provenance: Understood to have come from the private collection of a whaling family on the Orkney Islands.

Launched from the shipyard of J.H. Holmes and Sons on April 16, 1878 for owners Gifford and Cummings of New Bedford, the bark Wanderer was one of the the last whaling ships built in New Bedford and was registered at 140 feet with a crew of 30 men. Over 20 years she made 11 profitable cruises, however her most successful voyage was during WWI. Following four years at sea, the Wanderer returned to New Bedford in 1917 with a cargo of 6,200 barrels of oil possibly the largest number of barrels of oil in whaling history. The end was, however, in sight and she witnessed the decline of the whaling industry as alternative cheaper sources of fuel came to market. By the time she was wrecked off Cuttyhunk Island in 1924, she was barely able to operate in profit as the price of whale oil had dropped to a mere 30 cents a gallon.

Auction: Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Zephyr), 2nd Nov, 2021

Mercantile (Sail) – 1-92A
Mercantile (Steam) – 93-151
Naval (Sail) – 155-236
Naval (Steam) – 240-340
Navigation & Scientific Instruments – 341-392 

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