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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Scrimshaw Portrait of Alexander Hamilton
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
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Scrimshaw Portrait of Alexander Hamilton

Artifact IDMO 63.1978
Object Type Scrimshaw
Date before 1963
Maker
Medium Sperm whale tooth
DimensionsOverall H 5 1/2 in (14 cm)
Physical DescriptionWhale tooth etched with a portrait of Alexander Hamilton on the front side. The reverse side of this tooth is unfinished.
Historical NotePart of President Kennedy's personal collection of scrimshaw, displayed in the Oval Office. Alexander Hamilton was the father of the US Coast Guard, the oldest continuous seagoing service in the United States.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem is from the personal collection of President and Mrs. Kennedy. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesJohn F. Kennedy Personal Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676959)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view