Exceptional Collection of Five Whale Stamps, Mid-1`9th Century
InformationExceptional and rare group of five whale stamps made with bone handles with carved wood or bone bases with whale stamps at the bottom. All the stamps have a cut out where the log keeper would write the number of barrels that were taken from that whale. (SC1352)
1. Possible unique whale stamp with a small turned and scribed whalebone handle above a “U” shaped baleen frame which hold a carved bone rectangular block with four smooth surfaces. The block rotates and on each face is a carved whale with a space to put the number of lbs. of oil the whale rendered. There are three species of whales represented, and the fourth side shows a whales tale signifying that the whale was a get-a-way. Length 2 7/8 inches, Height 2 ½ inches.
2. Whale stamp with a finely turned whalebone handle with a domed top with ebony pique inlay. The top of the stamp holds a whalebone block with a carved sperm whale. On the side of the grip is an engraved red polychrome letter “S” signifying it is a sperm whale stamp. Length 2 ½ inches, Height 2 ½ inches.
3. Whale stamp with carved ivory clenched fist holding a rod. There is a carved cuff above and an eight-sided bottom. The whale ivory grip is attached to a rectangular wood block with a carved sperm whale at the bottom. Length 2 ¼ inches, Height 2 ¾ inches.
4. Whalebone whale stamp with an elaborate turned and scribed handle. The top of the stamp has an inlaid mother-of-pearl inlaid disc. There is a whalebone rectangular base with carved baleen whale at the bottom. Length 2 ¼ inches,
Height 3 ¼ inches.
5. Whalebone whale stamp with a turned capstan shape handle. There is an ebony inlay at the top of the stamp, and the handle has scribed decoration. The base is made from a block of whalebone with a carved baleen whale at the bottom.
Condition: The stamps have a deep rich patina and are in excellent condition.
The five stamps are set into a round mahogany circular base with a bone shaft that hangs three stamps and on the base and two wedges which prop-up the remaining two stamps.
Dimensions Including Base: Height inches, Diameter 7 inches.
Mid 19th Century
