Rafael Osona Auctions Annual Catalog 2020 | Page 159

462. SCRIMSHAW PANBONE PICTORIAL
PLAQUE, circa 1850, engraved on a 3/8” thick
section of the lower panbone of a sperm whale,
depicting a wounded whale spouting red and
surrounded by 3 longboats with harpoons in, the
mothership off to the right, all within a hatched
framed border. 5 ¾ in. x 8 ½ in.
3,000/5,000
463. SCRIMSHAW
WHALE TOOTH “DANIEL
OF LONDON” BY THE
BRITANNIA ENGRAVER,
FIRST HALF OF THE 19 th
century, titled along the edge
“Daniel of London”, the obverse
depicts a starboard portrait of
the Daniel in full sail; the verso
engraved with the Daniel half
engulfed in fire and rigging
breaking free, all within four
wraparound borders.
Length 5 ½ in. Width 2 in.
10,000/12,000
Provenance: Descended in the Family.
In the words of the current owner
“From my Great-Great Grandfather
Franklin Starr (1807-1872), who
was a block-maker in the ships and
shipbuilding trade in the flourishing
whaling port of New London, and
thus was connected to whalemen and
whaling merchants just about every
day. Eventually the scrimshaw was
handed down to my Great Grandfather
Garrett Starr who gave it to his son
Roy Starr. My grandparents Roy and
Mable then passed the piece to me
about 40 yrs ago. It has been in my
possession ever since.”
~ Jim Heckendorf
Rafael Osona Auctions
154