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Mystery Artist 39 – USS Bear with the initials J.E. or S.E.

Posted on June 6, 2018 by Andrew Perkins

Purchased on the west coast of Canada, the owner of this scrimshaw of the USS Bear (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Bear_(1874) and http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/49/49029.htm) is searching for more information on the artist and the piece itself.

The owner writes: “… I have no idea if this is an antique or modern creation, the material (though I’ve been told it’s fossilized walrus ivory), or if it was genuinely a net sinker before being scrimshawed. Lastly, I am curious about value. It does appear to be signed “J.E.” or “S.E.” ”

Any information regarding the artist and or it’s age would be greatly appreciated – feel free to comment in the comments section below. Clicking on any of the images will bring them up to full size.

Mystery Artist 38 “Hunting Whale in the Antarctic”

Posted on May 8, 2018May 8, 2018 by Andrew Perkins

We have another mystery artist, this done on walrus tusk or possibly elephant, hard to tell from the pics, though the scrimshaw is very nicely done. Unable to find a signature, though if the artist is known, the owner would love to know more about them.

Little Scrimshaws

Posted on December 9, 2017December 9, 2017 by Andrew Perkins

Family illnesses and busy schedules keep me from larger works such as the “Lady and the Dragon” (or – as the iPhone tried to correct “Lady and Dragged on”…), but smaller scrimshaws for local venues can be dovetailed into a busy day. Twenty minutes here, fifteen minutes there allows me to keep the muscle memory for post-holiday times when I may actually be able to devote more time to scrimshaw.

Continuing to work with ivory alternatives due to more states making mammoth ivory illegal to sell, I’m still finding galalith the closest material to ivory, though I am impressed with some of the other alternatives offered by http://guitarpartsandmore.com. I have some of the cattle bone in the drawer waiting to try. Hopefully in 2018 I’ll have the time to devote to finding the best way to seal it, there may be a way to use an ABS “slurry” to fill the gaps that I’m formulating, and will post my results once it’s completed. Meanwhile, have a great holiday season, and feel free to email any questions to questions@scrimshaw.com.Available on Etsy.com G-Clef scrimshawed into alt ivory on walnut hair stick

Mammoth Bones Do the Happy Dance in Las Vegas

Posted on July 23, 2017July 23, 2017 by Andrew Perkins

Senate bill SB194 has passed in Nevada, making it illegal to sell, possess with the intention to sell mammoth ivory, among parts of other currently living creatures. The bill goes into effect January 1, 2018. You can see a copy of the bill at:
https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/79th2017/Bill/5060/Overview

This brings the number of states making it illegal to sell mammoth ivory to five. More may be on the way, since it is so easy to include a six letter word lumped in with living endangered species that people either gloss over it or, due to “Manny the moody mammoth” being so near and dear to people’s hearts, they believe they still roam the planet.

The mammoth review will be showing at the Riviera Hotel and Casino after all threats of extinct animal poachers have been put to rest in early 2018. Wilma Flinstone will also be serving bronto-burgers…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riviera_(hotel_and_casino)

Mystery Artist 37 – “Rudy”

Posted on July 8, 2017July 16, 2017 by Andrew Perkins

A beautiful scrimshaw on what appears to be a whale tooth with the name “Rudy”. Very highly polished, the bottom edges show some crazing. beautifully lined scrimshaw with a dramatic scene of a whale in the foreground and the ship not far off.

Robert writes: “I am a 77 year old Vietnam Veteran and proud of it. I recently purchased at an estate sale an item I believe to be a scrimshaw tooth or tusk.I tried the hot needle test and the needle did not penetrate the item. I examined the item under magnification and the lines appear to vary in width and depth.

“The item bears the name Rudy. An internet search revealed a Dennis “Rudy” Waldroop (1950-2009). He had a shop in Tahlequah, OK however passes away in2009.

“I would appreciate any information on my piece. Is it a piece of junk,who carved it,approx. value, just anything.”

I’ve asked Robert to possibly send a picture of the cavity at the base of the tooth, and will update this post if he’s able to do so.