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THBScrimshaw Whale Tooth Ship Wiscasset "Richard Macy Master on the coast of New Zealand April 1836"
About Seller
21 Washington St. , P.O. Box 2607
Nantucket, MA 02584
United States
Recognized since 1980 as a premier dealer in 18th – 21st century Antiques and Arts, our family owned, full service auction house conducts more than a dozen unique auctions annually, reaching regional and global buyers. We showcase exceptional decorative and fine arts in every category. Rafael Osona ...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
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| $0 | $25 |
| $250 | $50 |
| $500 | $100 |
| $1,000 | $250 |
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| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
About Auction
LiveDec 6, 2025
Live Preview December 4 - 5 from 10am-5pm - 21 Washington St. Nantucket Island, Massachusetts Rafael Osona Auctions info@rafaelosonaauctions.com
View Full Catalog (762)
- Lot Description
Scrimshaw Whale Tooth Ship Wiscasset "Richard Macy Master on the coast of New Zealand April 1836", the verso engraved with a speaking porpoise "A Porpoise you see In this likeness of me". The ship Wiscasset commanded by Captain Richard Macy (1797-1850) hailed from Nantucket, and manned by men from the Wiscasset area in Maine. The piece commemorates the ship's 1834-1837 voyage to go deep-sea whaling in the Pacific and the successful capture of a large sperm whale off the coast of New Zealand in April 1836. The details are beautiful including the intricate rigging, the men stationed at the lookouts on three masts and the humorous depiction of a porpoise on the verso.
After successful whaling out of Wiscasset, the Wiscasset was sold to a whaling outfit in Sag Harbor and was ultimately retired from whaling in around 1847. Thereafter it became a merchant vessel in 1848 and during its operation months later it brought the Carnegie family to the US from Glasgow. At the time Carnegie was 12 years old.
References: History of the American Whale Fishery, Alexander Starbuck, Published Argosy-Antiquarian LTD, New York, 1964; Vol. 1 pg 314 New England Whalers in New Zealand Waters 1800-1850 History for M.A. 1959 by P.G. Canham. Ship Wiscasset is listed pg 250 i Nantucket Historical Association: Macy Family Papers MS96 Folder 38 Captain Richard Macy (1797-1850) Whaling Masters and Whaling Voyages Sailing From American Ports, A Compilation of Sources, Judith Navas Lund pg 718 "Wiscasset 1834-1837 Master Richard Macy"Condition
Items may have wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Please contact the gallery for further details prior to bidding. Any condition statement given as a courtesy should not be treated as fact.
- Shipping Info
-
The UPS Store
Mike Boylan
508-325-8884
email: store5207@theupsstore.comPoets Corner Press
(Uses FedEx for small items valued at $1,000. or less)
Nate Roberts or Riley
email: ship@poets-corner.com
508-228-1051Your Friend with a Truck
Mackenzie Smith
email: info@nantucketmovingcompany.com
508-221-5675Mainland Connection
Mark Wheeler
508-228-5229
email: info@themainlandconnection.com
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