A Mariner's Fancy: The Whaleman's Art of Scrimshaw
Once considered a quintessential American folk art, scrimshaw has faded as a popular subject in recent years. This slim, attractive volume, which serves as a vehicle for presenting the collection of scrimshaw at New York's South Street Seaport, offers numerous illustrations--approximately a third in color--and a text written with a popular slant. The objects include canes, boxes, pie crimpers, and whales' teeth, the last engraved with decorations inspired by, if not directly copied from, 19th-century prints. While most of the objects discussed are thought to have been created by American sailors, the authors include related examples by British, Eskimo, and modern makers. Two essays address the art historical considerations as well as New York's role as a whaling port. Recommended for maritime collections.- Kathleen Eagen Johnson, Historic Hudson Valley, Tarrytown, N.Y.Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.