Mystery Artist #8 Found!

Mystery Artist #8 Found!

Scrimshaw "Allen" on bracelet. Artist unknown
Scrimshaw “Allen” on bracelet. Artist unknown

“I cannot find any info on the artist of this piece.  i am not sure if the artist’s name is Allen, or it’s the name of the ship.  I have searched, and searched.  if i type in Allen scrimshaw artist, i get plenty of hits for the James Allen ship, that has many, many replicas.

“it would be greatly appreciated, if you could shed some light.  the bracelet is silver, very small….(scrimshaw is less than an inch and a half), and came from California…all I know.”

Anyone know the artist?  It is reminiscent of “Brum” ships, but Eduardo and his brothers were east coast, and there are some lines in the rigging that they would not have made, so I am figuring a west coast artist.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks to all who have helped unite previous mystery artists to the owners of their fine work!

From Allen’s son:

Hello, 

While doing an unrelated internet search, I came across your post on mystery artist #8 “Allen”. Comments are closed now, but I would like to confirm that piece is by Allen Scott, my father.  Most of his work was signed Allen, some as Allen Scott, and much later, as PMO, or Patrick Michael O’Malley.  That piece would have been done at our home/shop in New Bedford, MA in the 70s-early 80s.  

I know it’s a bit late for comments, but hopefully this will “close the case”. 

I’m happy to answer any questions you or your subscribers may have on this matter.

Cheers, 

Travis Scott

Mystery Artist #7 on scrimshaw.com

Mystery Artist #7 on scrimshaw.com

Beautiful breaching sperm whale on mahogany Mystery Artist # 7 on scrimshaw.com
Beautiful breaching sperm whale on mahogany

On the heels of being contacted by a former Mystery Artist

(see Philip Hayde), we have another Mystery Artist! This fine piece was brought to our attention from Michael, who would love to know the artist who signed the work “MUL” or “HUL” – though it could be other initials as well. It is either whale or elephant ivory, and has been expertly crafted onto a mahogany piece. We’re contacting the owner to see if the setting is just decorative or if it is a functional piece as well. The scrimshaw artist shows good detail, using mostly a line technique, and we really enjoy the contrast between the whale above and below the water, with the waves obscuring some of the color. Anyone knowing the artist may contact us at aperkins@scrimshaw.com.

Closeup of Mystery Artist #7 Signature
Closeup of Mystery Artist #7 Signature

Mystery Artist #6 – Mateus

Mystery Artist #6 – Mateus

The Mystery scrimshaw artist for November 2012 scrimshawed a whale tooth and signed it “Mateus”. This is a whale tooth currently in Ontario Canada. “Mateus” is also the name of a wine as well as the name of a palace in Portugal.  We’re not sure who the artist is or was – can you help?  Below are the pics of the whale tooth and scrimshaw.

Update! See https://www.scrimshaw.com/mystery-artist-6-artist-possibly-found/

Mystery Artist #6 - Mateus Scrimshaw Whaletooth bottom
Click on picture for larger image

Mystery Artist #6 - Mateus Scrimshaw Whaletooth
Click on picture for larger image

Bee Eater Scrimshaw on Mammoth Ivory and on a Lightswitch

Bee Eater Scrimshaw on Mammoth Ivory and on a Lightswitch

Bee-Eater on Mammoth Ivory, Andrew Perkins, 2010
Bee-Eater on Mammoth Ivory, Andrew Perkins, 2010

Bee Eater Scrimshaw on Mammoth Ivory and on a Lightswitch

The Williamsburg Church Fair has come and gone, and I couldn’t squeeze in the time to create a Williamsburg themed scrimshaw.  So instead, I brought along a Bee Eater Scrimshaw on Mammoth Ivory.  The fair went well, they were able to raise over $6,000, though I’m sure my scrimshaw only did a fraction of a percentage of that much.  The hasty picture I shot was in a frame that I removed since I couldn’t get the glass clean – something left a film on it I couldn’t get rid of.

Bee-Eater on lightswitch 2010
Bee-Eater on lightswitch 2010

I had done one bee eater on a lightswitch before I had done the one on the mammoth ivory (pictured).  They were both done in stipple style.  The light switch took an incredible amount of time as I remember, I was pleased when I moved back over to the ivory.  Light switches are made of nylon, which is a lot harder than ivory, and I did not have my trusty Coulter precision scrimshaw tool at the time.  I will have to do another lightswitch using this tool to see how it works.

I have a few scrimshaw kits available which I will be selling soon (sold out of the last batch before I could put them online!).  I will be adding a digital copy of “The Scrimshander’s Secret Scrapbook of Whaling Era Illustrations” to the four remaining color kits.  Email me at aperkins@scrimshaw.com with “Scrimshaw Kit Early Bird” in the subject before I get them on the Scrimshaw Kit page and I’ll put in a little extra something for you, too, as long as there are any left.  They will be selling for $39.95 shipped USPS Priority Mail.

“BradyBlock – An Excellent Tool for Engravers and Scrimshaw Artists

“BradyBlock – An Excellent Tool for Engravers and Scrimshaw Artists

Brady Block (aka KleinBlock)The BradyBlock is a great tool for scrimshanders and engravers alike.  Allowing you to not only turn your piece 360 degrees, you can also tilt it easily getting the best angle without having to readjust your lighting.  Your piece is held by a piece of putty or other adhesive material that does not “give” too much, yet holds it firmly. The base is small and lightweight, and you don’t have to secure it to the table, although a small piece of non-slip material underneath it may be advantageous (experimenting will yield your best results).

Made in the USA by an artist/engraver that uses what he makes, this is a great tool for the serious artist.

Click on http://www.powleyengraving.com/profitcenter.htm and scroll down to find this and other offerings by Brian Powley.

See the Youtube video here: