- A ready-to-use Scrimshaw pattern of a classic sailing vessel;
- Selecting and finding tools;
- Step-by-step instructions and process photos on how to prepare the medium, transfer a pattern, and engrave the design;
- Resources for modern ivory substitutes;
- A gallery of 50 masterful examples of antique and contemporary scrimshaw.
8.5 x 11-in., 72 Pages, Scores of Color Photos
8.5 x 11-in., 185 Pages, Softcover, published by The House of Muzzelloading and printed in 1982 by Pacific Books and Printing.
After the renaissance of scrimshaw in the 1970's, master scrimshander Bob Engnath put together this compilation of the then currently known scrimshaw artists and thier works. Although this publication includes fascinating reading on the development of the scrimshaw art form from the mostly crude work done by sailors to the highly refined engravings developed by artists pushing the art form in places like Bellingham, WA and Hawaii, it is primarily the first of two attempts to locate and showcase these artists and thier work.
Filled with scrimshaw pictures! This is an absolute must have for any collector of contemporary scrimshaw. It includes profiles on many of yesterdays and todays top scrimshaw artists. Long out of print it is only available from used book dealers and book auctions.
8.5 x 11-in., 243 Pages, Softcover, published by The House of Muzzelloading and printed in 1985 by VJ Printing.
The follow up to his first book, Bob improved dramatically on this book by listing alphebetically the many new artists that he missed in the first book. Each artist has a short bio and pics showing their current work. Many interesting articles are included about collecting , the art movement, and new direction and techniques. Again, loaded with scores of great scrimshaw pictures.This one is better than the first and the two books really need to be acquired and kept together as a set. Out of print and somewhat difficult to obtain.
8.5 x 11-in., 244 Pages, Hardcover.
This is the first book since the Scrimshaw Connection books that showcases current scrimshaw artists as its primary feature. And what a great job. Over 40 of todays finest artists are given biographys, and each have pages of their works shown in hi quality photography. Much of the photography is hi quality color. Other sections include history, materials, processes and other info.
For collectors of contemporary scrimshaw, this is the first "must have" book since the scrimshaw connection books. Whale teeth have become almost unobtainable, so much of the artwork is on knife handles and fossil ivories, but the art is just as great.
Available on line from Artisan North America, Inc. (ArtisanIdeas.com)
by Everett S. Allen
This book is divided into 5 distinct sections, each written about the events leading up to the 1871 Arctic disaster, and the repercussion on the whaling industry in New Bedford MA. In section one, the author provides the background of the Native-American Inuit tribe, their beliefs, habits, daily living, and survival. Section two outlines the founding of New Bedford as a whaling town by Quakers from Nantucket Island, and how their strong ethics played such a large part in the whaling industry. Section three describes the physical structures of whaling vessels, the whalers who sailed them, and the commerce of whaling. Section four deals with the actual voyages of 32 ill-fated whaling ships in 1871, being trapped by wind-blown ice, and the phenomenal rescue of all 1,220 people (1219 sailing to Hawaii, 1 stayed to winter through & was rescued the following spring). The final section discusses the decline of the whaling industry in New Bedford, with a tribute to the founding Howland brothers.
This paperbond monograph is a reprint by Peabody Museum of Salem of an article appearing in the April 1952 issue of "The American Neptune". Just under 30-pages, this concise article is packed with descriptions of life aboard a Yankee whaler, and how scrimshaw eased the tedium and boredom between taking whales. Mister Barbeau uses quotes from diaries, ship log books, and personal notes written during whaling cruises.
From the log book of whaling ship Abigail of New Bedford, 1835 - 1838, entry by Captain W.H. Raynard :
"Times are so dull, this dog's age. Off Cocos Isle. Rain, dul musick (sic). Saw Nothing. That is the cry now days. The cooper is going ahead making tools for scrimshan (sic). We had a fracas betwixt the cook and the stewart, the 20rh Oct. All hands employed in scrimsa (sic). She (the Abigail) was set afire by the cook. He then cut his throat."
Quote from notes of Arthur Watson:
"The whaleman, in preparing the engraving, first used a coarse hand-made file to scrape off the ribs (tooth flutes), then a finer file to work it down, while the bands of the ivory color begin to appear & disappear; then, sandpaper or a piece of sharkskin, ashes fro the try work, also pumice. But the final polish was from the palm of the hand."
Highly recommended to anyone interested in the Yankee scrimshander's world during the Victorian-era.