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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Scrimshaw Whale's Tooth
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Scrimshaw Whale's Tooth

Object numberMO 1941.12.58a
Date19th cenutry
Mediumivory, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 5 1/8 in x W 2 1/2 in x D 1 3/4 in (13 cm x 6.4 cm x 4.4 cm )

DescriptionA scrimshaw whale's tooth. Etched on one side in black ink is the image of the frigate, PRESIDENT, flying the American flag in color.
Label TextFranklin Roosevelt purchased this scrimshaw piece in 1926 for $35 at the Bayles and Peters sale at the American Art Association, New York. The tooth can be seen on the fireplace mantle of the White House Oval Study in a May 5, 1936 photograph.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteReceived at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library in 1941. It was formally donated to the FDR Library in 1947 through FDR's Estate.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
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