Scrimshaw Market Report Update May 2026
 by Andrew Jacobson
[email protected]

A note on the format. Wherever possible the description used by the vendor is supplied, followed by auction hammer price estimates and the final price, which includes the buyer’s premium. Sometimes, commentary is added by the writer. At a reader’s suggestion, a hyperlink has been added for each item to  provide more and better pictures. 

Remember collecting is a quality-of-life purchase. Do not spend the lunch money. Images courtesy of the vendors.
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To aid their bidders, several auction houses have established their own online bidding platforms that charge a lower commission than the more familiar bidding platforms. 


May 29, 2026. Eldred’s, East Dennis, Mass. Americana and Marine Art, Session II.
Prices include the 28% buyer’s premium
Lot 6551 Engraved  Whale’s Tooth…Arctic Whaling 20th century.  
Restricted by law to Mass. residents. 
  • Length: 5″
  • Estimate: $100-$150.
  • Sold: $768.
Commentary: Despite the low estimate, the demand for interesting, contemporary work teeth remains strong.
For more information and photos click here:
https://www.eldreds.com/auction-lot/engraved-whales-tooth-depicting-arctic-whaling-20_cc97aae3c6
Lot 6554 Two Unpolished Whale’s Teeth.  
Restricted by law to Mass. residents. 
  • Length: 6.25″
  • Estimate: $600-$800.
  • Sold: $1,216.
Commentary: The demand for undecorated teeth remains steady.
For more information and photos click here:
https://www.eldreds.com/auction-lot/two-unpolished-whales-teeth-lengths-approx-6-25_4b6548c915
Lot 6561 Polychrome Scrimshaw Whalebone Busk. In the Manner of the Banknote Engraver.
Depicts a pair of lovebirds, sprigs of roses, and an oval portrait medallion of a woman wearing a puffy-sleeve dress. Fancy sawtooth borders separate primary images from decorative devices at the top and base. Lobed top and curved base.
  • Length: 12″
  • Estimate: $500-$800.
  • Sold: $512.
For more information and photos click here:
https://www.eldreds.com/auction-lot/scrimshaw-whalebone-busk-in-the-manner-of-the-ban_64646023fb
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Lot 6563 Whalebone Work Basket.
Flared sides comprised of lattice staves and hoops held with metal pins. Walnut base plate.
  • Height 5.75". Diameter 8.75".
  • Condition: In need of restoration. 
  • Height: 5.75″
  • Diameter 8.75".
  • Estimate: $150-$250.
  • Sold: $224.
Commentary: Apparently, somebody is willing to chance a repair.
For more information and photos click here:
https://www.eldreds.com/auction-lot/whalebone-work-basket-19th-century-height-5-75-di_3cc604eae6
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Lot 6566 Turned Whale Ivory Pickwick. 
In the form of a candlestick.
  • Height: 3.75″
  • Estimate: $400-$600.
  • Sold: $896.
Commentary: At the start of this century, pickwicks regularly traded for $1,000-$2000. This item performed better than most recent offerings.
For more information and photos click here:
https://www.eldreds.com/auction-lot/turned-whale-ivory-pickwick-19th-century-height-3_f2a778e5ce
Lot 6570 Wood and Whalebone Crumb Catcher. 
Whalebone scoop on a turned hardwood handle with a turned ivory end.
  • Length: 9″
  • Estimate: $200-$300.
  • Sold: $352.
Commentary: It seemed a scoop, but “crumb catcher” is a nice turn of phrase for an unusual, utilitarian item. 
For more information and photos click here:
https://www.eldreds.com/auction-lot/wood-and-whalebone-crumb-catcher-19th-century-len_a907b1bde6
Lot 6574 Scrimshaw Whalebone Busk. 
Depicts a Liberty shield backed by draped American flags and a star banner and flanked by foliate devices.
  • Condition: Chip near center edge. 
  • Length: 13″
  • Estimate: $500-$1,000.
  • Sold: $480.
For more information and photos click here:
https://www.eldreds.com/auction-lot/scrimshaw-whalebone-busk-19th-century-length-13_d6d78d539f
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Lot 6576 Two Wood and Ivory Utilitarian Items. 
A magnifying glass and a gavel.
  • Lengths: 9″ and 12.5″
  • Estimate: $400-$600.
  • Sold: $480.
Commentary: Don’t know about the utility of the gavel, most of us could use a decent magnifier.
For more information and photos click here:
https://www.eldreds.com/auction-lot/two-wood-and-ivory-utilitarian-items-19th-century_c26f29514a
Lot 6594 Decorated Swordfish Bill with Presentation Inscription
Depicts a seal observing a swordfish spearing a fish. Rope border above and below scene, and Liberty shield motifs at base and tip. Inscribed on reverse "Painted by Kenneth L. MacLean[?] Marine Artist. Boston, Mass. Jan 9[?], 1939" and "Anchors Away".
  • Length 28".
  • Condition: Breaks and cracks at base, some of which have been reglued. Pierced twice for hanging.
  • Length: 28″
  • Estimate: $500-$1,000.
  • Sold: $768.
Commentary: Not scrimshaw, but well designed and executed. Swordfish bills and swords are an undervalued collectible.
For more information and photos click here:
https://www.eldreds.com/auction-lot/decorated-swordfish-bill-with-presentation-inscri_525d83ccf6
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May 21, 2026. Cottone, Geneseo, N.Y. Fine Art and Antiques.
Prices include the 27% buyer’s premium

​Buried in a general sale were three compelling cribbage boards. They blew past their modest estimates and may signal a rebound for a previous collecting backwater.
Lot 309 Inupiaq Cribbage Board
​Nome, Alaska, circa 1900. Carved and engraved bone.
  • Length: 24″
  • Estimate: $400-$600.
  • Sold: $3,556
  • Provenance: Estate of Adele E. Shepard (1939-2025), Rochester, New York.
Commentary: Attributed to the Nome Engraver.
For more information and pictures click: https://www.cottoneauctions.com/lots/82119/inupiaq-eskimo-cribbage-board
Lot 310 Inupiaq Cribbage Board
Nome, Alaska, circa 1900. Carved and engraved bone.
  • Length: 24″
  • Estimate: $400-$600.
  • Sold: $4,620.50 Hammer
  • Provenance: Estate of Adele E. Shepard (1939-2025), Rochester, New York.
Commentary: Acquired by the most likely of collectors.
Click for original listing and pictures: https://live.cottoneauctions.com/lots/view/1-CJDJA7/inupiaq-eskimo-cribbage-board
Lot 311 Inupiaq Cribbage Board
Nome, Alaska, circa 1900. Carved and engraved bone.
  • Length: 24″
  • Estimate: $400-$600.
  • Sold: $3,810.
  • Provenance: Estate of Adele E. Shepard (1939-2025), Rochester, New York. 
Commentary: Acquired by the most likely of collectors.
Click for original listing and pictures: https://live.cottoneauctions.com/lots/view/1-CJDJA9/inupiaq-eskimo-cribbage-board
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May 6, 2026. New England Auctions, Branford, CT. May Americana. 
Prices include the 31% buyer’s premium.
26% buyer’s premium for bidders on inhouse platform 
Lot 73 Scrimshaw Walking Stick with Sailor’s Knot.
Scrimshaw walking stick. Carved whale bone with handle resembling a sailor's rope knot. American, late 19th century.
  • Length: 32″
  • Estimate: $600-$1,000.
  • Sold: $2,620.
Lot 75 Exceptional Sailor’s Whale Bone Fid.
  • New England, late 19th century.
  • Length: 14-1/8″
  • Estimate: $400-$600.
  • Sold: $589.50
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Lot 76 Scrimshaw Whale’s Tooth- Capturing the Whale. 
…with two scenes, Capturing the Whale, and The Whale Fishery in a Flurry
  • 20th century.
  • Length: 7-3/18″
  • Estimate: $200-$400.
  • Sold: $917
Lot 77 Scrimshaw Whale’s Tooth- The Queen of the Sea.
A mermaid in the foreground with ship in back. Verso with an eagle holding a draped flag in its beak above with a banner “ E Pluribus Unum” 
  • 20th century.
  • Length: 7″
  • Estimate: $300-$500.
  • Sold: $851.50
Lot 8o Narwhal Walking Stick.
Natural example with silver cap. Late 19th century.
  • Length: 35.25″
  • Estimate: $2,000-$3,000.
  • Sold: $7,860
Lot 87  Carved Scrimshaw Totem.
…or effigy depicting several birds and a coiled snake. Carved tusk or tooth...
  • American, 19th century.
  • Height: 7.75″
  • Estimate: $500-$750.
  • Sold: $720.50
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