Name/Title
Item list from Nathan Joseph to Harry GeorgeEntry/Object ID
Q1430.634.269CDescription
Item list from Nathan Joseph to Harry George of numerous Eskimo items and prices. Vol. I, pg. 269C
Harry L George Esq I have a few very rare and valuable Esquimaux pieces which I will explain. A wonderfully etched Native made pieces of Mastodon ivory carved something like a Carpenters plane with figure of men in very grotesque attitude, Deer, Canoes, beard, Sleighs Dogs, Men and women dancing before a Native playing a ^"Native made" drum, men in canoe spearing whales fc&c. Such a tool or whatever it is must have been made by Natives who have seen similar things imported by the Hudson Bay Co as it is very old and a very handsome piece. I learn from Captain and people who have visited the Arctic that the Natives are great Copyists and that they take advantage of every newspaper or journal with pictures in them to copy them in the etchings they make upon their ivories so that you frequently see ships in full sail and steamers etched in ivories over 75 years old. The above piece I ask $15.00 I would not sell it for less than $30.00 if I meant to continue business. I have a large soup ladle made from one solid piece of Mastodon ivory size with handle 10 inches long, bowl 5½ inches wide x 2½ inches deep very Old price $15.00 cannot be duplicated anywhere.
A Comical Carving by Esquimaux in Walrus, two men in two separate canoes of the bidarkee kind about 6 inches long x 4 in wide price $5.00. An Esquimaux soup spoon 14 inches long part made of of white horn the other jet black wild sheep horn ^'beautifully' carved totem style with abalone pearl eyepiece $10.00. I have some very diminutive ivory Esquimaux carving on small slab of walrus ivory representing 5 separate sleighs each one 3/8 of an inch in size price for them $1.50 also similar slabs with 4 deer price $1.50. Also similar size slab with sleigh, man and deer with 3 dogs driving one attached to sleigh price $2.50, similar slab with man and 4 deer price $2.00. I forgot to mention the size of each animal . . . . (the rest of page 1 is illegible)
I have a very old and curiously carved head of Walrus ivory made by Esquimaux 2½ in x 3 in wide evidently for a handle of a spoon or club price $3.50. I have an old scalpel with small but finely etched handle representing Nations, seals & Deer price $3.50 another scalpel only very much large with two sacred blue bead inlaid price $7.50 beautifully etched. Another scalpel made of stone price $4.00 very very old. Esquimaux Knife with walrus ivory handle Blade of stone in all 6 inches long price $2.50. Esquimaux /\ (Jade stone) adze with handle about 12 inches long very rare $7.50- Esquimaux ???? jade stone hammer $20.00 fixed with ???? and in wooden handle such piece as these better two it is important to obtain at present at any price. Esquimaux Cameo made from old walrus ivory 6 inches long well made $3.00- Esquimaux Carved sleigh with man and four dogs 5½ inches long walrus ivory $2.00 Esquimaux Carving walrus ivory very rough three bears and one deer on a slab $2.50 about 10 inches long- Esquimaux wooden tool with a stone in the center used both in fine making and drilling. This tool when in use is held between the teeth and is looked upon by the native as his most valuable tool and very difficult to be had $3.50. Esquimaux stone sinker 5 inches long native made with nation made fishing hook very curio8s $4.00- Another Esquimaux stone sinker 4½ inches long native made with native made fishing hook $3.00. Esquimaux fishing outfit complete fishing line made of black whalebone, walrus ivory sinkers with fishing hook attached $3.50. I may state that this fishing tackle is impossible to get today or the present time I have had them in my possession for years in my own collection most of which I have parted with of late being now in my eighty second years of age. I can put these things in a small /\(light) box so they will not cost much for freight by parcel post but you will have to pay expenses both ways if you return anything. ReplySubject
Nathan Joseph
San Francisco, California
EskimoSubject Person/Organization
Harry L. George Collection
