Scrimshaw

Scrimshaw Collecting - Proper Care for Treasured Artifacts

Executive Summary by Ed Akehurst

Scrimshaw is an indigenous American craft. Many people collect these beautiful pieces of maritime artwork. Scrimshaw is etched or carved bone or whale teeth. In Modern times, scrimshaw is done on ivory, bone, and even antler. Scrimshaw is very detailed work, in most cases. Many fine pieces are of whaling scenes, whales, women, ships, or seascapes. The finished etching is then sometimes colored with quality inks to accentuate the etching.

Care and cleaning of scrimshaw is important to collectors, as it is easy to damage it, especially some of the finer pieces with inks, especially colored inks. Never use any harsh cleaners on scrimshaw, such as shampoo, soap, detergents, jewelry cleaner, or bleach.

A light wax coat can help preserve the scrimshaw, especially ivory scrimshaw.

Antique Scrimshaw Collector John F Kennedy

Executive Summary by Eric Flayderman

A few photos of Kennedy show him sitting in the oval office with several antique scrimshaw whale teeth outlining his desk. Kennedy was very interested in collecting antique scrimshaw whale teeth with historical figures including former Presidents. He also collected many antique scrimshaw whale teeth with sailing and whaling ships.

It is interesting to note that Kennedy sometimes gave antique scrimshaw whale teeth as gifts. This whale tooth was perhaps the last gift he ever gave before his death. In 1962 Jacqueline Kennedy commissioned a large whale tooth to be polished and scrimshawed by scrimshander Milton Delano for a Christmas gift to the President. The tooth has the Presidential seal scrimshawed on the whale tooth. JFK thought so much of the tooth that Jacqueline Kennedy buried him with the tooth in his casket.

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