3092

Late 1830s

FINE SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TOOTH ATTRIBUTED TO CALEB J. ALBRO

Obverse with a foliate festoon and banners framing "Ship John Coggeshall" above a whaling scene. The whaleship, with a watch atop the mast, is sailing toward the pod of whales and the viewer. Three whaleboats are in the water and are in various stages of whale capture. Reverse with a sun face, typical of Albro teeth, above a busy whaling scene where several figures are visible on the deck of the whaleship and three boats are in the water in pursuit of whales. Faint and indiscernible initials lower right, possibly "E.F.G". or "F.E.C.". Very deeply engraved intaglio-like elements on both sides, including the serifed lettering and the whaleboats.
Length 6.5".
Condition: Typically uneven base with some age lines/cracks, the longest approx. 1.5".
**Not available for international shipping.**


The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction. 

  • Provenance:
    Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

    Notes:
    From Scrimshaw and Provenance: A Third Dictionary of Scrimshaw Artists by Stuart M. Frank (Mystic, Ct.: Stuart M. Frank and Mystic Seaport Museum, 2013), p. 4-5, we know Caleb Albro was aboard the "John Coggeshall" of Newport, Rhode Island during an 1835-1839 whaling voyage, on which his brother, Thomas, also served. The brothers produced several admirable pieces of scrimshaw, many of which were signed and show thematic similarities. Their workmanship is very similar to each other's but distinct enough to identify as "Albro". Caleb was born in Portsmouth, Rhode Island around 1816. After his whaling voyage he worked as a mariner then took up farming.

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August 4, 2022 9:30 AM EDT
East Dennis, MA, US

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