Presented is an interesting collection of miniature whale craft tools that were made by George Blanchard for his nephew back in the mid 1850's on board the English whale ship Diana. The white sections of the hand crafted tools are whalebone and the black sections are wood. The green felt mounting and 20" L x 12" H wood framing were added by the family years later. 

Included in the 13 piece collection are: 2 flags, 2 oars, 1 harpoon, 3 cutting spades, 1 gaff, 1 skimmer, 1 hatchet, 1 harpoon gun and a block and tackle.  The hand written paper label in block print reads:    "EBONY AND BONE MINIATURE WHALING TOOLS FASHIONED BY GEORGE BLANCHARD ON BOARD THE HULL WHALER DIANA AS TOYS FOR HIS NEPHEW".

INCLUDED IN THE SALE is the book "From the Deep of the Sea" by Charles Edward Smith, the Ship's Surgeon which details the ship's last fateful voyage and is referenced below

Block & Tackle and Hatchet

Harpoon

PROVENANCE: The collection was purchased at auction in Plymouth, England by an English dealer on 21 DEC 2005, who in turn sold them to us. The auctioneer reported they were part of an Estate Sale of the property of the descendents of the maker, George Blanchard, who is a known crew member of the English whale ship Diana hailing from what was a major whaling port in Hull, England between 1841 and 1869. 

The Diana was a steam vessel of 355 Gross Registered Tons built in Bremen, Germany, 1840. Under the command of Captain John Gravill, Jr., she was beset by ice in the winter of 1866-67. Gravill, an old man, did not survive the hardships of the voyage. He is buried in Hull's Spring Bank Cemetery. Hull had been the major whaling port of the UK for many years, but whaling was in decline in those latter days. 

From a descendant,  a crew member,  who served with George Blanchard on that fateful voyage. 

"George Blanchard was one of 27 Hull men on the Diana when she sailed from Hull in the spring of 1866. My great, great grandfather and his brother were also on board. There is a pretty full account of the voyage in From the Deep of the Sea which is taken from the surgeon's journal.

I have done quite a bit of research on the voyage and inherited and collected quite a few relics relating to the Diana." 

Regards

Gordon C.....

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED:  All our items come with a money back guarantee, and can be returned within five days of receipt if not completely satisfied. The only conditions are that an email authorization be obtained, and that it be returned in its original condition and packaging, and be insured for its full value. Unfortunately, shipping charges are not included in this offer and are non-refundable unless we are at fault. 

International buyers welcome, but inquire first.  We have satisfied customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean. 

This very special historic collection is a great find for that special collection that includes only the finest and most unusual.

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Skimmer

Cutting Spade