Smooth Sailing at Teaberry Appraisals

It was another successful Appraisal Day at the Teaberry Marketplace on Route 9 in Clermont April 12. I had to do a little overtime to accommodate everybody. And the quality of the items was so good that I used up the memory card in my camera taking pictures.
I’ve only included some of those pictures here; the rest will make a future column. Three photos I had to include this time, however, were of nautical-related items: a ship’s apothecary, a port lantern and a collection of scrimshaw.
Of these, scrimshaw, carving on ivory, is always the most perplexing. The first questions you have to answer are: Is it real? and Is it old? Ivory is one of the earliest and most successfully faked items. And, since the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972, and several subsequent international laws, real, modern ivory has been illegal to sell.
Collectors love scrimshaw because it is folk art. Talented sailors with free time would carve scenes and sayings in whale teeth or bones, walrus or narwhale tusks. The art was usually moralistic, patriotic or romantic, celebrated historic events or just life at sea. Whatever the motif, this charming art is in high demand, making prices high and increasing the likelihood of fakes.
Real ivory will be heavy, have an irregular grain, and will crack and color consistent with its age. The scrimshaw carving will have apparent marks of handcrafting – sometimes irregular sizes and proportions in images or lettering, inconsistent ink. The monograph, “Fakshaw” by Dr. Stuart M. Frank contains a checklist for detecting fakes.
It’s odd that we don’t see more nautical antiques here on the Cape, surrounded as we are by the sea on three sides. There is certainly a demand, especially for decorating summer homes. Antique sellers are at the mercy of what they can find, however, and these days old nautical items are best picked up from dealers who specialize in them. Always check with local dealers first.
Here are some web sites to consult to research or purchase nauticals: www.seajunk.com; www.thepirateslair.com; www.antiquesofthesea.com; www.bigshipsalvage.com.
Enjoy the photos with this column, and thanks to the folks at Teaberry for providing me with a yummy lunch from their excellent in-house café.
If you would like to have your things appraised, I’ll be at the annual Avalon Antique Show on Memorial Day Weekend. Plan to go this year. It’s going to be a two-day affair, and it’s a great way to kick off the season. I’ll have more about that in the next column.
There will also be a big yard sale May 24 run by the Cannon Masonic Lodge in South Seaville for the benefit of a little local girl who was just diagnosed with Lukemia. The sale will run from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. at 370 Main Street.
If you have stuff you want to sell, for a $10 donation you can set up in a 12’x16′ space (bring your own table) and keep the proceeds. Or you can donate items for them to sell for the cause. Lots of food and fun are planned for this worthy event. Call Chuck Mears (624-1377) or email: secretary@cannonlodge.net for more information.
Arthur Schwerdt, a certified appraiser, is the author of “The Antique Story Book: Finding the Real Value of Old Things,” and co-owner of The August Farmhouse Antiques on Route 9 in Swainton. Send your comments, questions or appraisal requests to: aschwerdt@cmcherald.com.