This book contains 450 superb illustrations which capture the texture and character of articles produced by the scrimshander. The illustrations also cover the enormous range of articles he made as well as the materials and methods he used to make them. Many unique photographs show scrimshaw in the use for which it was originally designed. This treasure-trove of facts and lore about whaling and scrimshaw further includes significant material about other allied and nautical arts. These include the making and collecting of "Sailors' valentines" and shell work; the famed Nantucket Lightship baskets; prisoner-of-war and other military carvings (much of which is often confused as sailors' scrimshaw); Eskimo carvings; and nautical sewing and embroidery. This book is the single most sought after book by scrimshaw collectors; it is the holy grail of scrimshaw books. When found in used condition it brings prices as high as $750. We have had copies for as little as $250, but right now we have 2 copies in new, never sold condition -- and autographed by the author, E. Norman Flayderman -- priced at just -$595!