6073

Circa 1828

SCRIMSHAW WHALE'S TOOTH "A VIEW OF COQUIMBO HARBOUR"

A finely detailed nearly bird's-eye view of the harbor, including several whaleships and manned whaleboats as well as buildings, fortifications, encampments, flags, mules and horses on the hilly shoreline, wraps around the circumference. Of note, one of the whaleships is being towed by four whaleboats. Titled in banner at mouth of harbor near base.
Length 6.5".
Condition: Typical uneven base. Slight fracture at tip. Some inking is faint.
**This item contains animal and/or plant material and is not available for international delivery without CITES and other necessary permits, licenses, and certificates. Obtaining the appropriate documentation is the sole obligation of the buyer. Eldred's is not able to assist with obtaining the appropriate documentation, and we offer no assurances that the documentation can be obtained. Please be aware of current international, domestic and your own local regulations and bid accordingly.**


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:
    Barbara Johnson Whaling Collection, Sotheby's New York, December 16-17, 1983, Lot #448.
    Jeffrey and Francine Cohen Collection, Richard A. Bourne Company, Hyannis, Massachusetts, July 31, 1989, Lot #133.

    Notes:
    The Sotheby's catalog claims this tooth was engraved by Frederick Myrick, the Nantucket whaler known for his famed "Susan's Teeth", during the outward bound leg of his 1826-1829 voyage aboard the
    Susan . The tooth purportedly was owned by Josiah C. Long, Myrick's cousin and shipmate, then descended to Olive Coffin Long Saunders and Edward Saunders.

    Coquimbo Harbour is a significant port city in northern Chile, located on the Bay of Coquimbo and southwest of La Serena. Known for its sheltered waters, it was a strategic location for the Chilean Navy. It is also in close proximity to the whaling grounds stretching from the Galapagos Islands to Cape Horn and so was a frequent stop for British and American whalers. A woodcut titled "A Whaling Scene In The Harbor of Coquimbo" is part of the New Bedford Whaling Museum collection.

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March 3, 2026 9:30 AM EST
East Dennis, MA, US

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