This fine Relic Has Been Sold. Thank you!

 

RELIC FROM THE NEW BEDFORD WHALING

BARK WANDERER

Presented is a historic relic of American whaling history. This mailbox was used on the famous New England Whaler, Wanderer, built in 1878 in Mattapoisett, MA only five miles away from the large whaling port of New Bedford. She was the last vessel built in Mattapoisett, and the last whaleship to sail from New Bedford. The box is made from Teak and has a classic marquetry six point star on its door which was a popular design in the 1850's. The name Wanderer appears in gold leaf on the door, and a large gilt "W" is on the box's top. It has a lock, but there is no key.

Accompanying the relic, is a 7" x 9" framed photograph of the Wanderer. In pencil on the back is, "Wanderer" Rigged as the Chas. W. Morgan in the "Down to the Sea in Ships" 1921-1922. The photograph has a WFC copyright at the lower left which is that of the film company.

Unfortunately, after almost fifty years of whaling, and a stint as the whaleship used in the 1922 Hollywood movie, Wanderer wrecked on Cutthunk Island. She was anchored offshore, preparing to depart on a voyage, when her ground tackle broke in a fierce storm on August 24, 1924.  

Another relic salvaged from the ship wreck was the mizzen mast of the Wanderer that now stands as a flagpole in Mattapoisett's Shipyard Park, only a few feet from where it was built. 

Side and front view

Back view. Note paint remnants

Marquetry six pointed star

Mail slot

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CONDITION: The box is not quite square, and was likely sailor-made made aboard the ship. It was mounted using a baseboard which remained so the trim around the base is a replacement as is the trim over the door. There is some white paint remnants on the back and some minor spotting elsewhere. The top right corner is slightly warped. Considering its years of use, and service at sea, please expect to find other marks of age. However, it is in good serviceable condition.

DIMENSIONS:

10 1/4" W x 12 3/4" H x 9 3/4" D                        Weight 8 pounds

MOVIE SHIP in "DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS": Down to the Sea portrayed the romance, terror, and operatic drama involved in whaling. The film is set around the whaling industry in New Bedford, MA, where nearly everything about the whaling industry was the same as it was during the period in which Moby Dick was written. It was based on and told the story of the Morgan whaling family. The whaleship Charles W. Morgan, the family's pride was the most lucrative ship in the whaling industry. Because it was not seaworthy, it was utilized only for some of the exterior scenes. The equally famous ship, Wanderer, rigged as the Morgan, was used for the actual ocean footage. Thus, the excitement and complexity of whaling is fully captured in this movie which authentically re-created 19th-century whaling using real ships with exciting footage on the high seas. It was an attention getting, one-of-a-kind document of a soon to be lost culture.

The authenticity of the whaling scenes was the result of the two photographers standing with their cameras in small boats, at the risk of their lives, to photograph the fighting whales."

Though the film was very popular with audiences, playing for 22 weeks straight in New York City, the critics gave it low marks. However, several critics went out of their way to praise the 16 year old Clara Bow's performance even though her part was minor.

A 1949 remake, under the same name came with an outstanding cast lead by Lionel Barrymore, Richard Widmark, Gene Lockhart and Dean Stockwell. It was more popular with the critics, but for those interested in the whaling story, it was lacking in the realism of the whaling scenes.

 A relic from a known whaleship as well known as Wanderer makes this a particularly noteworthy collectible

International buyers welcome, but should inquire first.  We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.

 

OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned within five days of receipt in its original packaging if without damage. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization from us for the return is required. Shipping charges are  included in this offer if an error is due to our fault.

STANDARD FLAT RATE SHIPPING to the 48 contiguous States $20.00

ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item.

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