Large Scrimshaw Whale Tooth Featuring the "Ship Niger"

19th century, the front naming the whaler and showing her under full sail with a banner below, reading, "Our Ship she is full / Home we are bound"; the back shows a hunt in progress above the following verse: "Our captain stood upon the deck / A spyglass in his hand,/ A-viewing of the gallant whales,/ That blowed at every strand,/ 'Get your tuns in your boats my boys,/
and by your braces stand,/ and we'll have one of those gallant whales,/ Hard, boys; over hand!/ So be cheery, my lads! Let your hearts never fail/ While the bold harpooner is a-striking of the whales!"

6 in.

From a private North Carolina collection


The Niger, built in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, was launched in 1844 and spent nearly 50 years chasing whales, mostly in the Pacific Ocean. A popular subject of paintings and scrimshaw, the Niger also appears in two harbor photographs by Joseph G. Tirrell that are in the collection of the New Bedford Free Public Library.

A few natural hairlines, but no breaks or losses; nice aged surfaces.

$1,000 - 3,000