Scrimshaw: Sperm whale tooth: inscribed "Return to Me"
Shared by
New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa
Whale tooth decorated with the words "Return to me" in ink. 8 holes drilled into tooth at various points. John Elijah Hoffman worked as a whaler on a ship called WILLEM BARENTSZ (1955) in the Antarctic Ocean for four seasons from 1957-1961 (the shipping seasons lasted between 4-6 months). He collected the whale teeth as a hobby and to pass the time. The words "Return to Me" were dedicated to th...
Ngā whakamārama
Details
-
Title
Scrimshaw: Sperm whale tooth: inscribed "Return to Me"
-
Maker
Hoffman, John Elijah (d.Pre 2014)
-
Date made
1957-1961: circa. dates of whaling seasons
-
Subject
Whaling & Sealing, Maritime Trades & Professions, WILLEM BARENTSZ (1955), Maatschappij Walvisvaart, Shipping Lines, Commercial Shipping, Objects, Scrimshaw
-
Additional information
Bone, Ink, Length (mm): 162mm (9/16ft): 0 - Whole, Circumference: 179mm (0.2m)
-
Rights
Unknown
-
View source record for this item
Kei hea tēnei taonga?
Where is this item held?
-
Additional information including high resolution images may be available.
-
Location
Corner Quay & Hobson Streets Viaduct Harbour Auckland
-
Website
Whare taonga | Organisation
New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa
Ngā here ki runga i ngā whakaahua o tēnei taonga?
What can you do with images of this item?
-
You must check with New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa to confirm terms of use and any attribution requirements, but this is our understanding:
-
Use for private study, research, criticism, review, or education
NZ Copyright law allows for the use of copyrighted works in specific circumstances. Consider what you can do under copyright law.
-
Check
Check with the copyright holder before sharing, modifying or remixing or using this image to make money.
-
Text adapted with permission from Te Papa and Digital NZ
Tāpirihia he kōrero anō
Improve this record
-
Can you help us? Share names, details and stories to help enrich the collection.