Is it legal to own scrimshaw?

19th and 20th century scrimshaw, scrimshaw crafted before 1989 (elephant) or before 1973 (sperm whale ivory, walrus ivory etc.) is legal. It is prohibited after that year for commercial import in the U.S. under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Can scrimshaw be sold?

Under the Endangered Species Act, any scrimshaw item that can be proved to be 100 or more years old can be sold interstate; any other item cannot.

How much is a scrimshaw worth?

Prices range from less than $1,000 to $75,000 or more, with ongoing scholarship increasing the interest of collectors and the values of scrimshaw. Made as gifts, scrimshaw teeth depict the images that were most important to a sailor: whaling scenes, ships, women, patriotic motifs, idyllic homesteads.

Is it illegal to own whale ivory?

The Laws: There are various federal laws regulating ivory and now some states have enacted ivory laws. It is legal under federal law to buy/sell walrus and narwhal ivory possessed before the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.

How can you tell if scrimshaw is real?

To accomplish this test, heat a pin until it's almost red hot and then touch it to an inconspicuous part of the item. If it scorches and smells like burning bone, you've got a real piece on your hands. The pin test will cause polymer or plastic to melt into the piece and emit the smell of burning plastic.

Can you sell Scrimshaw?

Can you sell scrimshaw on Ebay?

You cannot sell: the following Ivory items; Canes, Jewelry, Chess Pieces or sets, Figurines, Scrimshaw, this includes Netsukes etc. You cannot sell anything made from Whalebone or any other marine animal regardless of when it was harvested.

Is it illegal to own a whale tooth?

“It's illegal for someone to go and yank the tooth out of a dead marine mammal,” Behtash said. “It's illegal to possess or sell marine mammal parts of any kind, unless you have a permit.”

Can you sell ivory scrimshaw?

It is perfectly legal by federal law to trade legitimately antique elephant ivory; identification of such pieces is not a difficult procedure. Regardless, there is no legal requirement to provide a paper provenance for a piece to a potential buyer.

Where can I sell my scrimshaw?

If you plan to sell the piece, an art auction house will necessarily authenticate your scrimshaw. Many large American cities also have art appraisers that can authenticate scrimshaw for a fee. Conversely, a local art museum or university art department might be willing to examine your heirloom scrimshaw for free.

Is it legal to sell ivory carvings?

It is now illegal to sell or have the intent to sell ANY IVORY within the State of California or to sell it to any bidders within the State of California REGARDLESS OF THE AGE of the ivory.

How much is a whales tooth worth?

A scrimshaw whale's tooth sold for a record-breaking $456,000 at a Cape Cod auction last week. The prized 8-inch tooth piece depicts a 19th-century whale ship, the William Tell, flying an American flag.

Is whale bone worth anything?

“Truth is, a whalebone has no commercial value to us. And it may be worth a hefty fine or jail time to you. This is because almost all marine mammals, including whales and seals, are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.

Is scrimshaw carved?

Scrimshaw is a kind of carving that was done by primarily the crews of deepwater whaling vessels in the 1800s. And no nation had more whaling ships afloat in that era than America: In 1846, for example, it had some 640 whaling ships, which was three times as many as the rest of the world's nations combined.

Is it illegal to possess ivory in the US?

A. The U.S. ivory ban does not limit the right to possess or pass down ivory to family members. No current state ivory ban restricts the possession or inheritance of ivory, rhino horn, or any of the wildlife products covered in the law.

Can you clean scrimshaw?

Most dirt and oils may be removed by simple dusting or a gentle wiping with a clean, soft cotton cloth. Stubborn dirt can be removed with a cotton swab moistened in rubbing alcohol and wiped gently over the surface. Whatever you do, DO NOT SCRUB!

How much is a walrus tusk worth?

Prices for a walrus tusk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $395 and can go as high as $19,200, while the average can fetch as much as $2,200.

What tools are used for scrimshaw?

There are only a few tools you need to scrimshaw: a scribe, a strong light, and some magnification.

What states is it illegal to own ivory?

Four states have specific laws banning certain transfers of ivory or rhinoceros horn: California, New Jersey, New York, and Washington.

Is it legal to buy antique ivory?

California, Nevada, Oregon, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey and Washington are the only US states that entirely prohibit the sale of ivory to deter the slaughter of elephants and other wildlife for their tusks and teeth.

Can I sell ivory on Ebay?

real ivory is a restricted item & cannot be sold on ebay.

Is it legal to own whale bones?

You may collect and keep any bones, teeth, or ivory from a non-ESA listed marine mammal found on a beach or land within ¼ of a mile of an ocean, bay, or estuary. You may not collect parts from a carcass or parts with soft tissues attached.

Is selling ambergris illegal?

In some countries, like the U.S. and Australia, the possession and sale of ambergris is illegal. But in other parts of the world, like the U.K., it is legal to salvage ambergris off a beach and sell it.

What do I do if I find ambergris?

If you find ambergris, you should report the find to your state or territory environment department (listed below). Information on when and where you find the ambergris may assist us to better understand the life cycle and distribution of the sperm whale.

Does real ivory turn yellow?

Over time, ivory darkens and/or turns yellow in color and develops surface coloring called a patina. This change is color is an indicator if its age and thus affects the value of the piece and should not be removed. If a cleaner is applied and the coloring is altered, you risk losing the value.

Why is it called scrimshaw?

The origin of “scrimshaw” is, as you discovered, a mystery. It first appeared in print (as far as we know at this point) in 1825, in the variant spelling “scrimshonting.” Other forms include “scrimshander” and “scrimshandy,” and a maker of scrimshaw is called a “scrimshoner.”