Rafael Osona's Annual Auction Catalog 2019 Rafael Osona Annual Auction 2017 | Page 91

180. RARE AND IMPORTANT SHRIMSHAW SPERM WHALE TOOTH BY CALEB OR THOMAS ALBRO, circa
1839. Both Albro brothers did scrimshaw on their homeward passage aboard the ship John Coggeshall out of Newport, Rhode Island.
Bow view of the John Coggeshall coming onto a pod of whales with three boats out; foliate scrolls with the word “Ship” and ban-
ner “John Coggeshall.” The reverse portside view of the ship with active deck, three boats out and one towing a whale in calm water
under a beaming sun. Initials “EFC_” lower right. Length 6 ½ in.
Caleb and his brother Thomas were most accomplished whalemen-scrimshaw artisans aboard the 1835-1839 voyage of the ship John Coggeshall and
scrimed on their passage home.
Reference: Frank, Stuart M., Ingenious Contrivances, Curiously Carved, published 2012, pg. 331.
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