Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Harpoon |
Place of Origin |
Massachusetts, New Bedford |
Artist or Maker |
Edwin B. Macy (1832-1924) |
Date |
late 19th century |
Materials |
Malleable Iron with a cast head |
Dimension Details |
Length: 21 1/2" |
Description |
This iron whaling harpoon blade and shaft is severly bent, most likely during a conflict with a whale. It is marked "L.B.-BR PLA" for larboard boat of the "Bark Platina," and is stamped "MACY." The "Platina" was built in 1847 in Matapoisett, Massachusetts and undertook nineteen voyages from 1847-1910, eighteen as a whaling bark. The "Macy" in question is probably Edwin B. Macy who, along with his brothers, Josiah Jr. and Frederick, took over the buisiness from their father Josiah. Both Josiah Jr. and Frederick retired from the business leaving E.B. Macy the sole shipsmith by that name in the latter years of the 19th and early years of the 20th century. |
Provenance |
Richard A. Bourne Co., Inc., Hyannis, Massachusetts, August 8, 1971, Lot 94 Purchased by H. Richard Dietrich, Jr. (1938-2007), Chester Springs, Pennsylvania (Horace Gordon, Villanova, Pennsylvania, agent), 1971 Gifted to The Dietrich American Foundation, 2007 |
Object Name |
Harpoon |
Object ID |
5.3.HRD.2399 |
Search Terms |
whaling |