Al Doucette is still busy creating scrimshaw after fifty years! Former owner of the “Whale’s Tale” scrimshaw shop in New Bedford, MA, he has graciously shared several pictures of some of his latest work:
Al continues to scrimshaw and create beautiful sculptures in ivory and other materials. We’ve created a gallery of some of the pictures of the work he’s sent us. which will appear near the bottom of the page.
He can be contacted at adouce476@comcast.com
Summary
Article Name
Scrimshaw Artist Al Doucette - 50 Years and Counting
Description
Scrimshaw artist Al Douchette still scrimshawing after 50 years
Author
Andrew Perkins
Publisher Name
scrimshaw.com
Publisher Logo
Hello,
My name is Jafet and I found a trinket box in the form of a whale tooth marked Ai. Deucette R 1987. The piece has carvings of a ship, seagull, and a compass rose on the front. On the back it has a whales tail, a sailor and another rose compass on top. It’s lovely and I wanted to know more about the piece.
Hi Jafet, I’m just catching up on comments and questions. Al Douchette can be contacted at adouce476[at]comcast.net replace the [at] with the @ sign.
Can I view a copy of his signature? I think he is the artist, just want to make sure.
Hi Tarisa,
you should be able to contact him at adouce476[at]comcast.com ,just replace the [at] with @.
Hope this helps,
Andrew
I have a belt buckle with what appears to be an ivory sailboat on a dark wood and Brass. It is marked “DOUCETTE 77” on the back. This was given to me by my late Father and I’m looking to see what is is worth and verify the authenticity and materials.
Any assistance would be appreciated with gratitude.
Todd
Hi Todd, My condolences on your father’s passing. I’m running a bit late but if you can send a picture to “questions@scrimshaw.com” I’d be glad to look at it and see if I can get a pic to Al.
Email with photos sent.
An amazing Artist, I have an older small hand carved ivory Nantucket basket, signed Al Doucette, does anyone know the value of one of these these days? I would like to sell it but don’t know where. I can not sell it on etsy since it is ivory.
Hi, I tried contacting a doucette at the Comcast address above but it is not current. I purchased a gold bracelet by him. I have not received it yet but am trying to confirm whether he worked in 14k gold specifically a lightship basket bracelet.
Hi Leslie – the last time I contacted Al it was at adouce476@comcast.net. Hoping it’s still active.
I recently bought a pair of vintage earrings 14k gold Nantucket basket design with doucette engraved on the bottom could I send a picture to see if Mr. Doucette was the designer?
Hi Nicole, and thanks for writing! You can send an email to adouce476@comcast.com along with the picture, I’m sure he’d be glad to reply.
Hello, when visiting Nantucket several years ago I purchased a carved ivory Nantucket basket pendant from a jewelry store. Unfortunately my husband dropped it and broke the hasp. I am desperate to see if Mr. Doucette would kindly repair it for me. I descend from Tristram Coffin and this piece means a lot to me. Can you please forward my email to him? teresa.kasner@gmail.com — thank you. Teresa 🙂
Hi Teresa,
You can reach Al at adouce476[at]comcast.com – simply replace the [at] with the symbol @ when emailing him. I’ve been busy with Holiday orders, so I do apologize for the late response.
My father was a customer and friend of Al Doucette. He recently passed and I need to get in touch with. Mr Doucette. Can someone help me get contact info??
Hi Daniel, I’ve forwarded your name and email to the last known email address of Al Douchette.
Hi Andrew, I have two of of Al Doucette’s whale carvings. A sperm whale and Mom and baby, named Salt and Halos. They were carved in 1983. I would like to contact Mr. Doucette. Could you send me his email address? Thank you
Hi Joan, I’d be happy to send your email address and comment along to him. He’s an amazing artist! I’ve also inquired as to whether I can give his address out directly, so I don’t have to be the middle-man, but that’s his call and I respect his privacy.
Hope all is well with you and your family,
Andrew
I have a Bessa, mystery artist 50. I purchased it in a small shop in the early 80s in Praia da Vitoria, Terceira, Azores. I do not have any details about the artist but I believe he was local. There were several pieces of his in this small shop and whaling was still very active there at that time.
In regards to Mystery #24 piece. I have what appears to be the exact same letter opener. I can send a picture if it would help. If so, would that make it less likely to be scrimshawed some kind of man produced plastic?
Hi Dan, and thanks for writing. Would love to see a picture if you would. If it’s a match, chances are it’s made of some type of plastic. You can send the picture to “questions[at]scrimshaw.com” replacing the [at] with the @ symbol. Looking forward to seeing the pics!
I have a beautiful engraved scrimshaw piece that is enshrined a. doucette, 1987. It appears to be a blunt whale’s tooth, about 7” tall, engraved with a double-masted tall sailing ship. I was wondering how much such a piece is worth…..
Hi Gin,
The best place to look would be to ask on https://www.facebook.com/groups/scrimshawcollectorsguild/ – this is where many collectors frequent.
I have two beautiful sperm whale teeth reviewed and noted as sperm whale teeth by Bedford Whale Museum. One is of a seaman hanging on the ship’ sail and on reverse side marked SHIP LAURA with the date 1867. The other is of the whale and reverse side marked Azores with signatures S Miguel and M. Somas.Anyone recognize information as to artists etc?? Live in N.C. —getting older and desire to sell if price is right.
Hi Burton, and thanks for writing! There are a number of incredible artists from the Azores and Portugal. You can send pics to questions@scrimshaw.com and I’ll be happy to post them to see if anyone in the community knows any information about the artists.
I found a piece of A. Doucettes today made in 1987. It is a box 5inches talk with a cover. Can you tell me it’s value? It has bears, penquins, a walrus and a ship. I love it!
Did you ever find the value? I have one too.
I recently obtained some scrimshaw charms and earrings created by Al Doucette from the Whale’s Tale. I wanted to find out how much they are valued? Would anyone know a good way to contact him (Doucette) directly?
-The Antique and Artisan Gallery
Stamford, CT
203 327 6022
mallory@antiqueandartisan
I’d like to know how to contact him too in order to see about having a scrimshaw bracelet made. Can someone post his email or other contact info?
I have an whale oval box with the lid it passed all the test. I have had it for years love it I keep my fine jewelry . The name etched on it is A. Doueette 1987 . I can send some pics
I’d love to see it. Al Doucette is still creating scrimshaw and sculptures despite his retirement. He remains a busy man!
–Andrew