those subjected to extremes of temperature may If your scrimshaw passes the first two tests, it is time to present it to a on the way the tooth has been cared for. You also can subscribe to the Antique Toy World monthly magazine, filled with model car and other toy information, for $20 a year. Many Juratone 10 Figure 2. and a scene from a different genuine tooth on the The polychrome whaling scene on this 4 1/2-inch tooth was engraved by an anonymous American whaleman in the mid-1800s. Jarod's Tip of the Day: If someone is selling you a piece of ivory or scrimshaw and you want to know if it is real, find a non-prominent part and scratch it a little with your finger. To check out scrimshaw pieces for authenticity, age, value and importance, I suggest you attend the 16th annual Winnetka Antiques Show that will be held from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 2, and noon to 5 p.m. March 3 at the Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka. Evaluating scrimshaw accurately requires knowledge. It’s challenging for sure, but definitely an art-form worth mastering over a lifetime. for specimens may show minimum cracking, but London-based firm of Juratone, Inc. and others. Rub the piece on your shirt. which had previously been known only to serious Others will use just a brass handle pin. Using a moderate power microscope of 30X magnification, the surface of polymer "scrimshaw" will exhibit small round air bubbles -- a result of the molding process before the liquid plastic cured into its present ivory-like state. deeper than the age crack it crosses, it has been If someone is selling you a piece of ivory or scrimshaw and you want to know if it is real, find a non-prominent part and scratch it a little with your finger. Real ivory will appear perfectly smooth. Circa 1840–1860. museum for referrals). A list of known Juratone pieces is Photography by M. Zilberstein. instance in which a swap meet seller of an Artek piece Ivory … save the endangered species, but contemporary A-Books that contain information on scrimshaw, which is the carving of whalebone and ivory once a hobby of sailors, include ''Is It Ivory?'' A genuine tooth may feel "colder" than The polychrome whaling scene on this 4 1/2-inch tooth was engraved by an anonymous American whaleman in the mid-1800s. the plastic counterpart due to the greater heat conduction The designs on real scrimshaw usually have a nautical theme and are scratched in, not painted. 64 and Randall Road, St. Charles; admission is $3; phone 725-0633. Many of these items came from my private collection which have been collected/purchased over a 40 year period. Using a moderate power microscope of 30X magnification, the surface of polymer "scrimshaw" will exhibit small round air bubbles -- a result of the molding process before the liquid plastic cured into its present ivory-like state. The design was Although you can't legally use whale ivory, it's still possible for you to practice this folk art as well! not necessarily indicate when the specimen was often copied from a magazine or book. Worse, some unscrupulous dealers, bibliography on Scrimshaw Knife, Pocket Knife, Baby Toothpick, Ship and Compass Rose, Tall Ship, Nautical Scene, Personalizable, Hand Etched, cow bone lindalayden. Scrimshaw, however, usually refers to the American art of carving or engraving whale teeth or bones. Examples of scrimshawed whale's teeth Amato, Chicago. From shop lindalayden. representing them as genuine. Remember that true scrimshaw is unique (truly one-of-a-kind), while fakeshaw has virtually thousands of copies of each mold-impressed design. hot and attempt to insert it in an inconspicuous place I’ve received a question regarding the value of a piece of scrimshaw done in the 20th century on a whale’s tooth, and I really don’t know the answer. 21669) and other fine firms that deal in scrimshaw and other folk art items of the sea. The most common use of ivory nuts is for new netsuke. If an engraved line cuts Use an emery board on a nonvisible portion of the whale's tooth. crack, the work is of recent origin. They were commonly decorated with images of ships, flags, whales, portraits of crew members and the like. scene from one genuine tooth inscribed on the front, recently scrimmed. "real thing." In the 19th President John F. Kennedy's fascination with tooth. The sailor first penciled a sketch on the tooth, '', replicas of old scrimshaw also are sold in museum gift shops, and unscrupulous buyers can then gouge out the markings on these pieces that label them as reproductions, and resell them as genuinely old. How To Tell Real Ox… Before plastics were invented, polished horn was the choice material for buttons, shoe horns , combs, spectacle frames, mugs etc. If the engraved line is deeper than the natural Use an emery board on a nonvisible portion of the whale’s tooth. room wall. especially whale's teeth, being passed off as the --Opal Fox, Warren, Tex. various coloring agents rubbed in to highlight the Like plastic, horns are relatively lightweight, long-lasting, and easy to work with. Create a small pile of particles from the piece and if it has an acrid or sweet smell it is fake. A firm that sells scrimshaw reproductions as well as blanks and kits for those who wish to carve their own is Artek Inc., Elm Avenue, Antrim, N.H. 03440. genuine article. the other. --Don McAuliffe, Pickerington, Ohio. counterpart is displayed. Fake Scrimshaw It can be difficult to tell an original piece of scrimshaw from a forgery. will tend to develop small cracks running the long should be wrapped in a piece of soft cloth saturated Genuine and plastic items can NOTE: The overall weight to size ratio fooled, what chance does the average collector have? Virtually all plastic will absorb long ultraviolet (UV) light and appear a dull matte blue under black light or appear the same color under black light as it appears under white (room) lighting. The great majority of synthetic scrimshaw reproductions are made of manufactured polymer resins, or plastic. 18). A-Write Fritz Reuter, violin maker and dealer, consultant, appraiser and expert at Fritz Reuter & Sons Inc., 1565 W. Howard St., Chicago, Ill. 60626. However, as Shell points out in ''Is It Ivory? scrimshander, and an appraiser is known to have Heat a needle or pin (held by pliers) red hot and attempt to insert it in an inconspicuous place in the specimen. Toy cars and trucks also can be found at toy shows, such as the Antique Toy Collectors Swapmeet, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 17 at Villa Moderne, Edens Expressway and Lake-Cook Road, Northbrook; admission is $2. etched into the tooth with a sharp instrument, and To see why we made it difficult to contact us click on the explanation. Phone 214-436-9254 for information. It has been Antique Scrimshaw: inventory consists of (19th century/period): antique scrimshaw, antique sperm whale teeth, vintage scrimshaw work on antique sperm whale teeth, antique scrimshaw work on antique walrus tusks. If it smells like burnt hair, that is a good sign. banned the entry of whale products in an attempt to If it smells like burned bone or burned natural materials, it is real ivory. Among the 47 dealers will be Marshy Hope Nautical Antiques (Box 2, Taylors Island, Md. The value of a piece of scrimshaw depends on its artwork, age, importance and historical merit. tooth (You will always know a true lacquer-box collector or other expert, because they are always smelling boxes!) They are best displayed in by Harvey Shell, available for $5.95 postpaid from Ahio Publishing Co., 4313 W. 43d St., Tulsa, Okla. 74107; and ''How to Tell If It`s a Fake,'' by Harold L. Peterson, published in 1979 at $6.95 by Charles Scribner`s Sons, 597 5th Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017, where you might write inquiring if the book is still available. "grain," whereas plastic will probably be smooth Real ivory is extremely dense and a poor conductor of heat; the worst result will be a very small black dot. Their work is A reader has a beautiful piece by P. Hayde, I believe, and wants to know … Dental x-rays may show the pulp cavity of the real Various tests for plastic have been published, such as the “hot needle” test, the “match” test, and viewing fakeshaw under black (ultraviolet) light. If you use a magnifying glass to look at a photograph in a newspaper, you can see the entire image is made up of dots. the root cavity as a truncated (cut-off) cone, instead In 1973 the United States A record high was $44,000 paid for an engraving on a whale tooth of the famous whaleship Susan of Nantucket, at a December, 1981, Sotheby Parke Bernet auction. Another possibility is the Antique Toy & Doll World shows from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21, June 23 and Oct. 27 at Kane County Fairgrounds, Ill. Hwy. type commonly used to illuminate fluorescent genuine article in one hand with the item in question Now use a straight edge to mark and extend lines of intersecting angles (Fig. Maybe this is a common fake, I just don’t know. On the outside chance it is real, and to cover yourself in making knife handles from it - take good quality photos of the tusk and the scrimshaw. Their copies are so faithful to the original that some of having it come to a point, as it does in a genuine a work of art; anyone can readily obtain a Tusk Or Bone? The book has approximately 150 photographs glued onto individual pages. If it smells like burnt bone or burnt natural materials, it is real ivory. from circulation. If you can't smell anything, a sure-fire test is to take a heated pin and press it into the ivory. Swearington buys and sells German war memorabilia, especially if rare and historical, and is the author of ''The Mystery of Hermann Goering`s Suicide,'' to be published in November, as well as a major contributor to many German war-related historical books. One Way to Tell Real Ivory from Fake . 75028, enclosing a description of the book and an addressed, stamped envelope for a reply or offer. Under 30X Magnification Test: Take a magnifying glass and put the Coral gemstone on white cloth under the appropriate lightening conditions. This type of weapon was commonly used by American Indians for hunting and battle. the butt end of the tooth, where the material can be subject. Consequently, determining the value of scrimshaw or other carved items can be difficult. Head is the Commander of the human’s body, be sure to use the best way to take care of it. Artek takes great pains to ensure that their History of Scrimshaw Scrimshaw objects were often marked, signed and dated. Photography by M. Zilberstein. Ultraviolet. For this reason Shell recommends careful examination with a magnifying glass or by a knowledgeable scrimshaw dealer to detect mark-removal signs. Guwahati, Jan. 28: The standard advice to smell a rhino horn to know if it is real or not has made con artists come up with fake substitutes made of wood and dry bamboo root with a little frog meat rubbed in for the authentic “odour”. (HINT: switch hands Last update: 4/23/00 17). If an item is made of ivory, you will be able to see lines, or a grain. This test Enclose an addressed, stamped envelope, or phone the firm at 603-588-6825. The extent of cracking depends on Gregg's site. Call 446-0537 for reservations and information. 6. Basket weavers use bone, ivory or a scrimshaw knobs to attach the handle to the basket. 5. Genuine 18th century examples are Visual Inspection. Archeologists in Eastern North America have found works of art comparable to scrimshaw made by native peoples from land and marine ivory and bone that date back as far as 100-200 AD, but it was the Yankee whalers of the 1800’s who are actually attributed with creating, popularizing and naming the art form, making it a traditionally American art form scrimshaw is still being produced by artists. One of the show more extensive damage. details, read the rest of this article. Heat a needle or pin A-Write German World War II historian Ben E. Swearington, 910 Oak Creek Estates, Lewisville, Tex. Many recent models have a serial number on the back that you can type in to see if it is a real Bulova. Melt Test: Heat a needle (held by pliers) red If it melts, it is a plastic 31, 1985:Correction.The Antiques column in the Home section of the Jan. 27 Tribune reportedincorrectly that Marshy Hope Nautical Antiques of Taylors Island, Md., dealsin scrimshaw. often displayed in museums, where it stands on its … Check the authenticity of ivory using a U.V. The easiest way to tell definitively whether a piece is real ivory is by using the "hot pin test," in which a pin is heated to nearly red hot and then its tip is touched to an inconspicuous part of the object. Create a small pile of particles from the piece and if it has an acrid or sweet smell it is fake. If your piece has been painted or varnished, it will come off on the Q-tip. There is no plastic used to copy ivory Easy Scrimshaw for Beginners: Scrimshaw, the etching or carving of bone, tooth , shell, or ivory (ivory may be illegal unless obtained before the laws were passed) Usually … Kendall Whaling Museum offers an excellent annotated The great part about scrimshaw is that it can be as simple or complicated as you desire. Another test is using a nonmetal emery board. Kendall Collection. Genuine teeth, as they age, Scrimshaw Sperm-Whale Tooth. 2. exact duplicates of museum pieces, often having a I have two pieces of real whale teeth scrimshaw that I purchased around 1970 while visiting Nantucket.They were both crafted around 1970.Can anyone tell me how I can sell it. by the natural ivory. extending almost its entire length, whereas this Hold the magnifying glass over the piece. There are numerous reports of reproduction scrimshaw, Real ivory is extremely dense and a poor conductor If your watch was made between 1924 and 1945, there is a symbol near the stem set screw of some Bulova watches. Heat the end of a pin over a candle or lighter until it is red-hot. provenance (history) associated with it could be most Gainsborough (1727-1788) to hang on their living Marshy Hope Nautical Antiques has not dealt in scrimshaw since1973. very small, perfectly round air bubbles may be seen Maybe it’s my imagination but it looks to me like the piece is potentially signed as seen in the close-up of one of the images. Modern scrimshanders (those that carve or engrave scrimshaw) have necessarily expanded to include horn, ancient ivory and even plastics. (held by pliers) red hot and attempt to insert it in an Archaeologists describe arrowheads as sharp, pointed tips of arrows. If real obviously it was turned into a letter opener at a much later date than the Scrimshaw was done. Most of them can be created at the scrimshaw crafter in the workshop of a player-owned port with the Fletching skill. … closely examine the surface of the specimen. If someone is selling you a piece of ivory or scrimshaw and you want to know if it is real, find a non-prominent part and scratch it a little with your finger. Q-Could you please put me in touch with someone who is knowledgeable about old violins? The ''Susan tooth'' was one of a series carved aboard the Susan, which was best known for the craftsmanship associated with one of the young sailors, Frederick Myrick. The definitive test is to apply a small drop of sulfuric acid. continued ashore by retired mariners using more prepared a certificate of authenticity for a plastic A-Send for a copy of ''The Tin Toy Car, 1950-1970,'' by Dale Kelley, a well-illustrated hard-cover book available for $29.95, plus $1 postage, from Antique Toy World, 3941 Belle Plaine Ave., Chicago 60618. FastCounter by bCentral Q-In the early 1960s replica toy models were made of the then-new cars. Use an emery board on a nonvisible portion of the whale’s tooth. In fact, knowledgeable collectors have Then take a small piece of paper, maybe the size of a penny, and see if the piece will attract the paper. All rights reserved. Conduct a "pin test." Buffalo horn eyewear not only helps you to correct the vision, but also the Buffalo horn eyewear makes you feel the physical health effects. General show admission is $5 for a three-day pass. If it smells like burnt bone or burnt natural materials, it is real ivory. "I can tell in two seconds what it is," Jeanenne says. Whaling scenes are the most desirable images on scrimshaw teeth. : An Example Of Fake Walrus Ivory In The Wildlife Trade p. 2 of 3 Identification Guides for Wildlife Law Enforcement No. Scrimshaw is an American folk art form in which designs are etched into ivory or bone, then colored with ink. However, use this test as a last resort; the stain is permanent and not removable. Another test is using a nonmetal emery board. qualified appraiser for further evaluation (contact a maritime These pieces are often scrimmed marked with their name, the word "reproduction," (pocket magnifiers this powerful are readily available) On Feb. 28 a reservation-only cocktail and hors d`oeuvres preview party will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. I have read that there are laws about this. with mineral oil or glycerin. reverse side. These teeth are not century the art started to decline aboard ship, but was The first step can be accomplished easily. Scrimshaw work can tell a story and often times has a design of the whale caught on the verso side. There is nothing reprehensible in duplicating Today, scrimshaw is a prominent feature on baskets including the famous Nantucket baskets, purses, pendants, earrings, and pins. experts can frequently identify the identity of the scrimshander. "Plastic just sounds more plasticy." Preview party tickets are $25 per person. Turn the watch over and look on the back. X-Ray. collectors, and many examples of the art rapidly disappeared prior to sale. appraisers, zoologists, and even dentists can be A piece of genuine ivory will Anonymous scrimshander. Write or visit Kelley there to obtain the toy model cars you want. --J.A. Although you can't legally use whale ivory, it's still possible for you to practice this folk art as well! be better performed by an oral surgeon, who is There are ways of telling fake ivory from real ivory just by performing a few tests. The easiest way to tell definitively whether a piece is real ivory is by using the "hot pin test," in which a pin is heated to nearly red hot and then its tip is touched to an inconspicuous part of the object. on fossil ivory. Compare the engraved lines to any Could it be worth that much? Courtesy of New Bedford Whaling Museum. heavier. The second question is not so easily answered. Copyright © 1982 - 2001 Nautical Brass. scrimshaw sparked public interest in the subject and the initials of the museum in which its genuine If your watch was made between 1924 and 1945, there is a symbol near the stem set screw of some Bulova watches. Fake Scrimshaw It can be difficult to tell an original piece of scrimshaw from a forgery. reprinted at the end of this article. magnification, observe how the engraved lines cut across vertical To check out scrimshaw pieces for authenticity, age, value and importance, I suggest you attend the 16th annual Winnetka Antiques Show that will … This will form a pink stain on ivory nuts in 10-12 minutes but will not stain genuine ivory. If you notice the red marks on the turmeric or if turmeric changes in red color then the Coral is fake. [1] All scrimshaw have both a tradeable and a superior, untradeable version. them to be genuine. and inside the tooth cavity. There are ways of telling fake ivory from real ivory just by performing a few tests. The last God-given gift that the Kansas City jewelry expert recommends using is your mind. their website. Circa 1840–1860. Arrowheads are one of the most commonly found artifacts because Indians continually made these weapons. ashore are difficult to authenticate. Enclose an addressed, stamped envelope for a reply or phone Reuter at 973-4200. by purchasers who believed they had been sold a The Winnetka Antiques Show is rated as one of the country`s best, and will offer antiques in all categories. It can be very difficult to tell real ivory from synthetic or fake ivory. I do scrimshaw, though I don’t collect it. may not always work, as the difference between the two Perhaps you have glimpsed a scrimshawed whale's tooth in an This type of weapon was commonly used by American Indians for hunting and battle. surrounding air. There are some polymer plastic reproductions For more information, write Antique Toy Collectors Club, 296 Park Ave., Highland Park, Ill. 60035, or phone 432-1795. own artistic merit. Use an emery board on a nonvisible portion of the whale's tooth. However, THESE TESTS USUALLY DO NOT WORK! There is a very simple test to tell if a piece of scrimshaw is authentic and ivory, or a resin copy. The first step can be accomplished easily. Plastics on the other hand will catch fire easily and melt. For more cavity. of $40,000. Anonymous scrimshander. Scrimshaw Sperm-Whale Tooth. be compared under a long wave ultraviolet light, (of the Q-How can I find out if the scrimshaw pieces I recently purchased are genuinely old? Open the box and smell the inside—if it has the rich almost “antique” smell of linseed, it is real. Archaeologists describe arrowheads as sharp, pointed tips of arrows. suggested that every six months or so, your pieces sailor" is meaningless in this context. A verbal appraisal is $15 per instrument; a written one is $20, plus 1 percent of the violin`s appraised value. Sometimes the work can have high value for a folk art, primitive look, but most collectors want high detail and a great subject. pieces have been presented to museums for authentication If knowledgeable collectors, dealers, Well cared helpful. Of course to be 100% sure a chemical test has to be done. posters) the genuine piece appearing brighter. Real ivory is extremely dense and a poor conductor of Ivory will be largely unaffected by the pin test, but the hot pin will damage the surface of resin or plastic, producing a melting-plastic smell. obliterated, they further modify the replica by forming Scrimshaw Basics and Techniques Welcome to the world of scrimshaw. A reader has a beautiful piece by P. Hayde, I believe, and wants to know how to figure its value so they may insure it. Real ivory, being more dense, will appear to be and featureless. Since the process is not photographic and there is no printing press, there are no dots in the image. Genuine horn does not catch fire easily, and creates a soft, flaky ash that turns to powder. Ivory carvings, fashioned for thousands of years from the tusks of mammoths, elephants, rhinos and other animals, still captivate collectors even after recent controversy about the import of African elephant tusks. It was he who was said to have begun the tradition of engraving whale teeth, and the finely engraved scrimshaw he produced are referred to as ''Susan`s teeth.'' Scrimshaw is an American folk art form in which designs are etched into ivory or bone, then colored with ink. For information, call 969-1847. How to Tell Original Arrowheads. times are necessary. made with no identifying marks manufactured by the If it smells like burnt hair, that is a good sign. Take a shot of the piece cut into sections and slabs...showing the remaining scrimshaw. J.B. Pritzker gives a coronavirus update, After Twitter outcry, 5 women detail Chris D’Elia’s alleged sexual improprieties. Arrowheads are one of the most commonly found artifacts because Indians continually made these weapons. Since these marks can be observed in cross-section. heat; the worst result will be a very small dark dot. JONATHAN MCLELLAND 16 MAR 2018 CLASS. featured ladies' fashions of the day.