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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Scrimshaw with Three-Masted Ships
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
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Scrimshaw with Three-Masted Ships

Artifact IDMO 63.1970
Object Type Scrimshaw
Date before 1963
Maker
Medium Whale ivory, polychromy
DimensionsOverall H 5 in (12.7 cm)
Physical DescriptionEngraved sperm whale tooth showing starboard side of a three-masted frigate, flying the swallow-tailed pennant of a commodore at its masthead, with guns run out into open ports. Above the ship is a shield over four American flags and two crossed swords at tip. Engraved on the reverse is a three-masted ship flying an American flag off the mizzen-mast, surrounded by foliage and two red flowers. There are foliage and geometric designs along the bottom of tooth.
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)
Exhibitions
Not on view