The Premier Forum on Scrimshaw

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the scrimshaw capital of the world, and the annual Scrimshaw Collectors’ Weekend is the world’s only forum dedicated to this whalers’ indigenous shipboard art. Founded in 1989, this event attracts collectors, curators, antiques dealers, and whaling enthusiasts from four continents, who gather to share the enjoyment of collecting, research, and the fellowship of mutual interests. New participants are welcome!

Download Scrimshaw Weekend Order Form

Read article from Maine Antique Digest

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
Advance registration is strongly recommended. Sign-in, scrimshaw registration, receptions, and meals will be held in the Jacobs Family Gallery, adjacent to the main entrance lobby. All sessions will be held in the Museum Theater. If you wish to participate in a Collectors’ Show-and-Tell session, please contact Stuart Frank at 508 997-0046 ext. 146 to sign up in advance. Persons wishing to present will be allocated 15 minutes each on a first-come, first-serve basis. Program subject to change without notice.

Program Highlights

Friday, June 8
10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
"Scrimshaw 101: An Introduction for Newcomers and Refresher Seminar for Seasoned Hands"

- Identifying Characteristics of Different Types of Ivory and Bone
- SCI (Scrimshaw Collection Investigators): Forensic Methods in the Authentication and Debunking of Antique Scrimshaw
- Surface Characteristics in Macro-Scale and Micro-Scale
- Pigmentation
- Details of Naval Architecture, Nautical Technology, Rig Types, and Flags You May Want to Know
- Establishing Provenance
- The Scrimshaw Marketplace
- Caring for Your Collection
- Bibliography and Research Resources
- Significant Museum Collections
- "Herman Melville's Picture Gallery"

A catered buffet lunch will be provided. Sessions recess at 6 p.m., and reconvene for the evening at 8.

Saturday, June 9
10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
"Collectors' Weekend Plenary Sessions and Banquet"

Tentative Program:
- Scrimshaw as Fok Art
- The Pagoda Artisan Identified at Last
- New Attributions to N.S. Finney
- Scrimshaw from the Alaska-Hawaii Circuit
- A Dreamtime Tooth by an Australian Aborigine
- The Yup'ik Ivory Season on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska
- Collecting Scrimshaw Bodkins
- Authenticating and Debunking a Jewelry Case Attributed to the Banknote Engraver
- Fashion-Plate Revelations from Godey's Ladies Book
- Decoding the Powder Horn Cryptograms
- Status Report on Spectrographic Analysis of Pigments
- A Glimpse at Mortuary Motifs
- Collectors' Show-and-Tell
- Scrimshaw Market Update
- Preview Exhibition of Scrimshaw in the July 2007 sale at Northeast Auctions

The day also includes a buffet lunch and plenty of swapping opportunities. The evening program will then commence with a banquet and a cash bar.

Sunday, June 10
Optional Field Trip to Mystic Seaport

Pricing:
Scrimshaw 101, which includes Friday sessions, lunch, and evening program:   
$125 (Museum members, $110)

Weekend Events, which include all scheduled meals and receptions, and all Friday and Saturday sessions:          
$425 (members, $395)

Weekend Events + Trip to Mystic Seaport:      
$550 (members, $505)

Registration must be received by May 30, 2007. Registration forms will be available online April 13, 2007. In the meantime, please contact the Museum by calling 508 997-0046 or e-mailing Karen Allen at kallen@whalingmuseum.org.