49

Mid-19th Century

WHALEBONE AND WHALE IVORY SWIFT

Whale ivory yarn cup, turned adjustment collars and a beautiful key-shaped adjustment screw with pierced heart and cross design and metal pique inlay. Turned and stepped whale ivory clamp mounted with an unengraved silvered metal plaque. Whalebone shaft and staves. As-is, needs restoration.
Length approx. 15". Cage diameter approx. 17".
Condition: Appears some bands, probably silvered metal, are missing from yarn cup and clamp, as some residue and pins/pinholes remain where they would have been. One stave broken. Cage needs to be re-tied.

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  • Provenance: A similar swift, with intact coin silver bands and metal pique inlay, was part of the Collection of Paul Vardeman, sold at Eldred's, The Marine Sale, July 25, 2019, Lot #50. The Vardeman swift was nearly identical to one attributed to Capt. James M. Clark of Rochester, Massachusetts that is part of the New Bedford Whaling Museum collection and illustrated in Scrimshaw Artists by Dr. Stuart M. Frank.

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Shipping

We require prompt payment and removal of your purchases as stated in Paragraph 12 of the Conditions of Sale. If you plan to pick up your purchases, please call ahead and we'll make every effort to have your items ready. Our physical address is 1483 Route 6A, East Dennis, MA. Pick up of smaller items at our Mystic, CT location is also available with advance notice.
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COLLECTION OF PURCHASES: Delivery or shipping arrangements must be made within seven (7) days from the close of the auction for all purchases. All items must be removed from Eldred's facilities within fourteen (14) days of the end of the auction. All items remaining after fourteen days may be subject to a $15/per item/per day storage fee. No items will be released unless storage fees are paid in full. Items remaining over thirty (30) days from the close of the auction may be sold for the buyer's account minus auction and storage fees.

February 24, 2022 9:30 AM EST
East Dennis, MA, US

Eldred's

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000