MA

48 thoughts on “MA”

  1. I am helping my aunt who recently went into assisted living in MA. She has 2 scrimshawed pedants that she purchased on Cape Cod in the early 70s. One is a tooth with sailing ship and initials JM in front and something like GNG and 17A (?) on the back. The second is a disc with stream and 2 ducks in foreground. Inscribed on the back: WH Dec 74. Is there any way I can determine the value of these pieces? They are both beautiful, but I have no idea their value. Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hi Diana, you can probably only sell them within the state of Massachusetts, just so you know – there are very strict laws governing interstate or international selling of ivory. That being said, your best resource would probably be “The Scrimshaw Collector’s Guild” on Facebook. A local collector’s association is Antique Scrimshaw Collectors.org, though I don’t know much about them.
      Another place in Bellingham, WA that may be able to help would be the Scrimshaw Collector.
      Hope this helps,

      Andrew

      Reply

  2. Hello from Dartmouth Ma.
    My name is Chester Gotauco and I started on my scrimshaw journey in 1970 in Wickford Rhode Island as the Ditty box scrimshaw. My whale products were documented in 1973 with fish and wildlife Gloucester Ma. I was the Newport Scrimshaw Co. from 1983 to the present day. I left Rhode Island as my residence in 2014 and now reside in Dartmouth Ma. I worked seasonally on Nantucket for many years using documented materials from the Island that was easily available. I am semi retired and only do custom scrimshaw for my devoted followers. Thanks for your website it’s like going home to visit old friends. Regards Chet

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      1. Andrew, back in the late 70’s and 80’s I was lucky enough to stop in the Ditty Box and meet Chet. I was working in Providence and would drive over to Warwick to talk to Chet and actually buy several items from him. I posted a message to Chet last week trying to reach out and catch up, but so far I have not heard back.

        Do you know if all is well with Chet, and is there a better way to communicate with him that you could share?

        Ken

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    2. Dear Mr. Gotauco, My name is Tina Berkley and I live in Seattle WA. I am contacting you regarding some scrimshaw I picked up at a local thrift store that looks to be signed by you. I am anxious to know more about these pieces. Needless to say, I had to wait until I found a jewelers glass before I was able to make out the signature!

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          1. Hello,
            In 1980 my Mom had you do I believe of 2 necklaces of the Schooner The Sadie C Sumner. An artist in Conn. has done an oil of the story of the Sadie C. by the name of Marek Sarba.
            I will try to send you the picture.
            Nancy Hinckley Sclama

      2. Hi Tina,
        I am Chet Gotauco and my email is chetscrim@aol.com or text me at 401-864-0400. Please send a picture and I can authenticate your piece. My daughter is Jade and is one of the best scrimshanders in the business. Check out Gogallery.com. Thanks so much. Chet

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    3. I have a few whale teeth that are over 100 year s old that I would like to have scrimshaw work done to. Do you do that and if so, how would I view some of your work.

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      1. Hi michael, and thanks for asking! Currently I’m extremely busy with several other projects, but I may be able to help. What state do you live in? If you’re in MA, there are a number of artists on the coast I could refer you to. If you’re in a different state, I may be able to find someone local. The laws regarding ivory are getting more complicated every year. Let me know and I’ll see if I can help.

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    5. Chet, Ken Borowski from Wheaton, IL. I spent a good bit of time at your Ditty Box store in the early 80’s and purchased: a scrimshawed tooth by Gerry Dupont titled “C. W. Morgan on her last voyage” dated 3/79, a scrimshawed belt buckle by no less than CHET GOTAUCO! dated June of ’79, a harpoon head which I’ve researched to probably be Azorean, stamped RMF and ACG on the pointed tip, and if I remember right a mid size pendant with a baby seal face scrimshawed on the disk (tooth?), that may have also been done by you.

      I have so many fine memories of stopping in your shop and having great conversation.

      I am somewhat emotionally attached to all the above items, but would certainly appreciate finding out their value. Not quite sure I’m willing to sell, but feel I should at least assess the value(s).

      I hope this finds you in good health, and if Deb and I ever get to Mass (her best friend lives outside Boston), I’d certainly like to set up a rendevous.

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    6. Chet, I hope you are enjoying MA and semi-retirement. You made a ring for me around 1988. It was a profile of Thomas Jefferson with text around the edge, Mr Jefferson’s University 1975. I have worn the ring with great satisfaction for 30 years. It always gets compliments. The engraving has almost completely worn away and I would like to have the scrimshaw redone. Are you willing to take this on? Thanks, Don Wurzel

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    7. Chet, a million years ago you gave me your business card (probably 1986 or ‘87). We met smelt fishing. I was 16 or 17. What did you have written on the back of your business card? It was a poem.

      I wish I could remember it all. Thanks a ton; I hope you’ve been good.

      Rich Antonino , 508-269-1882

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    8. Can you make me a scrimshaw whale pin that has a screw in closure to be sure I don’t lose it off my jacket or vest?

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    9. I have done scrimshaw in the past but health issues have prevented me from scratching anymore . I have some nice blanks and would love to have a 5 in oval done to compliment one that I had done Would you be interested in discussing this work. I would provide the blank and my piece that I would like to compliment?

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  3. Hello Andrew: I grew up in New Bedford, MA and back in the very late 50’s to end of the 60’s, my mother had 2 matching 6″ tall whale’s teeth scrimshawed by an artist in the immediate area. During this time, she was taking scrimshaw lessons at (I believe) was the local vocational school (night school classes). The artist signed the teeth in cursive with the initials “gS”. The “g” looks to be in lower case and the “S” is capitalized. One tooth is scrimshawed with the whale-ship “Wanderer” and the other has “C W Morgan”. Do you have any idea who the artist is? Any help would be much appreciated.

    Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hi Carnig, and thanks for writing!
      If you can, would you be able to send pictures of the whale’s teeth? I’d be happy to include it in the “Mystery Artist” posts I put up and spread the word through the web.

      Andrew

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  4. I have two engraved whale teeth signed by Frank Barcelos. I also have a belt buckle and tie clasp and cuff links all by him. I bought them I think in Provincetown in the seventies. The teeth each have engraved a copy of the “tall ships,” visiting the US.
    I read that he did some work for President John F. Kennedy and can find no record of this.
    I want to keep them as a small part of US history and would appreciate it if anyone has any information concerning this artist.

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    1. Murray, Frank Barcelos did create some scrimshaw for President Kennedy. The last I read, it is in the Kennedy Library. I have several pieces of Frank Barcelos; ring, pendant, earring, and story bracelet, all in color, signed and set in gold. I have not worn them since the 90’s! The awareness for whale and elephant endangerment set my mind in a new place. Although I love them and appreciate Frank’s immense talent they have been in a safe for these past 30+ years.

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  6. I have some scrimshaw jewelry that belonged to my mother. I am trying to find out the name of the artist. It would have been purchased in New Bedford in the 60’s. I have the whaling voyage on a bracelet plus the matching earrings and pendant. They are done in color. Does anyone know any artists in the NB area around that time? Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hi Cheryl and thanks for writing!
      Would you be able to send some pictures? I’ll be glad to put them up on the site as a “Mystery Artist” – we’ve had some luck with matching artists to their artwork. You can send the pictures to “questions[at]scrimshaw.com“, replacing the [at] with an @ sign. I look forward to seeing the artwork!
      Andrew

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    2. Hi…..I was a successful scrimshaw artist in New Bedford late 60’s thru the70’s.I got harderand harder to get whalebone.

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      1. Hi Cheryl, and thanks for writing! Whale bone is next to impossible to get, but you can still practice your art on other materials. From man-made materials to natural materials such as boar tusk, antler and cow horn (I’ve been working with water buffalo horn). Mammoth ivory, though illegal in NY, NJ, CA (and possibly HI) is still currently a viable alternative as well. My favorite natural material is still mammoth ivory and antique piano keys. Are you still scrimshawing?

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      2. Hi, Cheryl,
        I bought a pendant from you in 1974 in Provincetown. It’s a female Saggitarius, and my friend commissioned a fat, lazy Scorpio. We each still treasure our pieces. Thank you for creating them for us. Let me know if you’d like us to send you pictures of your work, what they look like today.

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      3. What can you do with whalebone? My father bought this big tooth in Mystic, CT, in the sixties. He was attempting to scrimshaw. He has passed on and now I have a big tooth in a closet.

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        1. Hi Cheryl, there are a couple of things you can do with your “tooth in the closet”: first, you could learn to scrimshaw, though I think you would have done that already if you were interested. The second would be to have it appraised if you have a maritime museum nearby, then – getting the appraisal in writing, you could donate it if they’re interested and, checking with your tax adviser, see if you can get some credit on your taxes for the donation. Wish it was possible for you to legally sell it, but that would mean you would need to prove (with a receipt from 1960’s) that it was in fact purchased at that time, then checking in your state to see if it is legal to sell. Hope this helps,

          Andrew

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  8. I am an art teacher ( retired ) from Westport Ma. As part of my teaching job I taught scrimshaw and whaling history to classes yearly. Because of this I have taught many who were involved in the trade. ..

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    1. Thanks for the information Bob! Would love to chat with you further. Do you still scrimshaw and would you like to be contacted if there is anyone who would like custom work or perhaps some one-on-one training? I’d be glad to put you on the map. –Andrew

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      1. I was very active at this time. I was an Art teacher and at one time had many a tie students Bob Rayno …robrayno @hotmail.com

        I am80 now and lately have still taught scrimshaw. The last time was a group from the navy. a couple of my more successful students….. Charles Conners. 3rd… And Bill Feeney of Spouting Whale associates. Bob

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    3. I was a student of yours from the late sixties. You taught the best class ever! You taught me how to make scrimshaw, which I treasure greatly. I became a teacher myself, just retired after 35 years. Your teaching inspired me and created some of my life’s best memories. Thank you!

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    1. Hi Michelle, selling old tusks can be difficult. Due to the CITES treaty and recent state ivory bans, it might not be possible. New York and New Jersey have gone so far as to ban the sale of mammoth ivory, and some other states as well. Since it’s walrus, you would probably need to have the proper paperwork to prove the tusks were pre-CITES (1978 as I recall). Hate to have you slog through legal-eze, but the best place to start would be to read through and understand the CITES treaty, followed by any further laws for your state.

      Reply

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