found this at an estate sale today

[Mr Chris]

I found this walrus tusk today for $10.00 thought it was really cool , lots of nice engraving

 

[Curious The George]

If it is real, you got a whopping good deal. If it is a fake then... Oh well.

One test is to heat a sewing needle red hot and push it into the material if it sinks in, it's plastic. If not, you may have something there. And if it sinks in there will be a little puff of smoke. It will smell of burning plastic.

You do this in an inconspicuous place of course.

 

[Roland58]

$10 for real ivory scrimshaw? Did you hold a gun on the seller? I may be way of base, but, that sounds like a DEAL to me! Found a similar item from 1890 with a price of $800 to $1200:

http://www.antiquehelper.com/item/339562

So, if real, yours ought to be worth, at least, $20!

 

[Mr Chris]

Its definetly real here are a couple more pictures. It weighs too much to be plastic

 

[daroofa]

Check it against this listing...

http://www.whalingmuseum.org/library/fakeshaw/search.html
http://cgi.ebay.com/SCRIMSHAW-REPLICA-TUSK-WHALER-PRINCE-OCT17-1841-/270615291364

81a.
PRINCE
Tusk, 23 inches (58 cm).
Juratone 102LTW.
Obverse: Arctic whaling scene with ship, boat, and whales among icebergs, decorative borders, whale vignette; labeled "THE WHALER PRINCE." Reverse: USA flag, two walruses; labeled "T. BOWERS, 1st Mate," "Taken from / Dead Walrus / Oct. 17, 1841."

 

[mr_larry]

I guess that settles that!

 

[Mr Chris]

LOL I am glad I didnt pay more than $10.00 for it . The only difference is mine isnt hollow? does that matter? Thanks for the info

 

[blai745]

I guess that settles that!

so at retail this replica is $50...so a guestimation of wholsale is $20.. Not bad seeing how you doubled up and not sunk something like $200 if you thought it was real.

 

[mr_larry]

I've heard about the hot needle trick; I think on the PBS show where people drag their antiques to a convention center.
If I recall correctly, if it is really ivory and you sink a red hot needle into it, it will smell like burning hair. If not, you bought a reproduction.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

That's a very interesting find Chris!
I have my doubts though whether it's as old as it appears to be though.

If you want an experts opinion and potentially want to resell it, I'd take some better photographs of it and send the information to:

(PBS Antiques Roadshow Appraiser)
J. M. Flanigan American Antiques
Phone: 410-225-3463
Email: flantiq@aol.com

Good luck and I hope that it proves to be authentic!
Dave