Collection Highlights
Physician's saddlebags w/bottles & bundles
1800-1850
1954.11
Leather, metal, glass, paper
Support the New-York Historical Society
Help us present groundbreaking exhibitions and develop educational programs about our nation's history for more than 200,000 schoolchildren annually.
Museum Collections
Luce Center
Charlton Street
Title
Charlton Street
Object name
Whale's tooth
Date
1971
Medium
Black ink, black marker, and tempera on blue paper
Dimensions
Overall: 4 3/8 x 2 1/8 x 1 3/4 in. ( 11.1 x 5.4 x 4.4 cm )
Description
Whale tooth engraved continously around with the figure of Lady Liberty holding a flag and shield standing with an eagle and cannon on a free-floating dock (?), with an inscription on obverse and a ship flying the American flag sailing away from a lighthouse on a bluff on the reverse.
Credit Line
Gift of Hansi Bohm
Object Number
1982.68
Marks
inscribed: obverse, arched over figure: "Don't give up the ship"
Inscriptions
Inscribed at lower left in black marker: "CHARLTON STREET";signed at lower right: "H.B.'71"
Gallery Label
The phrase inscribed on this scrimshaw, "Don't give up the ship," was coined by Captain James Lawrence (1781-1813) in 1813. Acting against orders during the War of 1812, he engaged his ship, the Chesapeake, against Britain's Shannon. In a battle which lasted about 15 minutes, the Shannon was victorious, and Lawrence was mortally wounded.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.