| By Frederick Myrick of Nantucket, 1829. Considered the most famous of all scrimshaw artists, Frederick Myrick was born on Nantucket, April 28, 1808 and embarked on his maiden whaling voyage in July 1825. In 1826, Myrick signed on as crew aboard the just launched ship SUSAN, commanded by Nantucketer Frederick Swain and not returning until 38 months later in October 1829. Only 36 SUSAN's teeth are known, all completed between December 1828 and October 1829 and all remarkably similar, yet not all are both signed and dated. Our offering is signed and dated February 7th, 1829 and inscribed "The Susan lying at anchor at Mowee" and "Ship Susan of Nantucket/Frederick Swain/Master." Considered a foundation for any scrimshaw and whaling collection, Myrick's rare folk art masterpieces will always be highly desirable and sought after. This exact tooth is illustrated and described on page 15, Kendall Whaling Museum Monograph Series No 13, Frederick Myrick of Nantucket Scrimshaw Catalogue Raisonne, compiled by Donald E. Ridley, P.E., edited by Stuart M. Frank, Ph.D. and with contributions by Paul Madden, Paul Vardeman, and Janet West. The Kendall Whaling Museum, Sharon, MA 2000.
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