Mt. Rainier and Lenticular Clouds - Dec. 2008 copyright: JMM

May 21, 2014

Whaling Museum, Part 3

There's no denying that there was some amazing scrimshaw work done on bones and teeth.




Additional products that once used whale oil.





Pie wheels and utensils

Some with beautiful inlay.

All that detail and scroll work done by hand, without a dremel or any other power tool!  AMAZING!

I liked this painting of a sperm whale crunching down on a boat with sailors.  Reminded me of Moby Dick.


I should have paid attention to the info on what these are.  They are really cool but no idea what they are.
UPDATE:  They are called yarn winders.

Beautifully crafted miniature ships.

And speaking of Moby.....

Captain Ahab of the Pequod!  

Queequeg on the left


 I loved this paper cutting.

And also this clock was wicked cool.  Those ships in the scene underneath the dial rocked back and forth with each 'tick tock'.  


Like I needed anymore souvenirs besides postcards, but I have always wanted a deck prism and they had small, affordable ones.  I couldn't resist the adorable glass whale or that 'Life is a Journey' compass.  And I also knew I'd kick myself if I walked out without buying a Boat in a Bottle kit.  

I hope you enjoyed my travels in Southeastern Massachusetts!

15 comments:

  1. What a lot of info JoJo. They look like lamps, the ones you can't id. Whaling is interesting, I am glad they are virtually stopped now although there are some places where they still whale. There was a horrid picture of a whole heap of dead whales on facebook the other day. Small whales, I can't remember what they were.

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    1. Every now and then, pilot whales will beach themselves on the Cape beaches that face the Atlantic, at the National Seashore. Up to 30-40 at a time will sometimes end up stranded all up and down the beaches in Eastham, Wellfleet & Truro. Scientists & Volunteers try to help but often the efforts are in vain.

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  2. I am definitely going to visit the Whaling Muserum this summer. I can't believe I have never been!

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    1. It really is a must-see Kate, you won't be disappointed. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. And that part of New Bedford is so quaint. There are parking garages but I lucked out and got street parking. If you get street parking, make sure you have change for the meters!

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  3. Very cool!! Definitely would love to go there too! ♥

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    1. It's totally worth seeing.....esp. now that they don't emphasize that we should be proud of the whaling with scenes of gory hunting. The whaling history is treated much differently now. Yes it happened, here are examples of how whale products were used in those days before we knew better, but now we must work towards preservation and pressure other countries to end the hunt.

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  4. Once again it is a peculiar museum! I loved the carved bones.. however thinking of how many whales were killed, I'd not like to use any of such items.
    You purchased lovely souvenirs! I like that cute little glass whale :)

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    1. I seem to recall seeing the Whale Plant Food at my house when I was growing up and asking if it was really made from whales and being very grossed out. I would never use those items either nor would I ever purchase antique/real scrimshaw.

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  5. Hi JoJo,
    thanks for your comment on my blog, it did make me laugh! Husqvarna make sewing machines, that's why they make sewing machine parts. My machine is a Husqvarna Viking.

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    1. Hi Wendy! I had no idea they did sewing machines...at least over there they do. The big sewing machine names here are Singer and also Pfaff. I have a Pfaff but I don't really know how to use it.

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  6. Hey JoJo,

    I could say one whale of a posting. One whale of a concluding posting. But, never one to be predictable, I wont.

    I really enjoy visiting museums such as that. Thus, your photos and your words were a great way of me saving loads of money. Notice, I also make no mention of sperm.

    Thanks, JoJo.

    Gary :)

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    1. Why thank you Gary! Oh, in Part 1 of this tour, I did mention the harvesting of oil out of sperm whale heads. *shudder*

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  7. Wasn't that spermacetti which was used as the base for good perfumes?

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  8. All of the artwork is exquisite.
    I never even heard of whale oil. You're teaching me a lot, JoJo.
    Thank you. Have a nice Friday and weekend, my friend.

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  9. I was going to ask about the swift in the 7th image... (yarn winders). These "umbrella" versions are still quite popular! Thanks for sharing these awesome works of art!

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