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some of the best have been discussion of what
crime comics. From the early makes the best
pioneering Golden Age days to comic book covers is
Sin City to today, crime has— a great topic for
at least in this sense—certainly debate. For us as
paid,” Overstreet said. individuals there is
“One of the real greats, often no wrong answer, of
forgotten because it was pro- course. But with a
duced in magazine size was little thought, it is
Eclipse #6, cover dated July 1982. frequently possible to
It was the early days of the comic explain what it is
book specialty market and about a particular
Eclipse’s Dean Mullaney was one image that resonates
of the people who were willing to with you. The best
try just about anything to creative- ones are the ones that
ly capture the reader’s attention,” make you stop and
he said. check out something
Gulacy’s photorealistic style you weren’t previously
contrasts with regular Ms. Tree going to purchase – and
artist Terry Beatty, but neither artist in some cases, you
(or his work) is hurt by the compar- Paul Gulacy’s cover for Eclipse #6, even pick up a title
ison, Overstreet said. featuring Max Allan Collins and you’ve never even
“The piece had such an almost Terry Beaty’s Ms. Tree, captured readers’ heard of before.
attention as soon as they saw it.
tangible sense of mystery about it. It
provoked questions. It sparked the Artist Jim Steranko’s cover for Incredible Hulk Annual
imagination,” he said. #1 (King Size Special) is considered one of the most J.C. Vaughn is the Vice-President of Publishing for
influential of its era, and it has frequently been imitated.
Like anything else subjective, the Gemstone Publishing.

Continued from page 45
those who adhere two sections of cow bone together to create a tooth.
Always watch out for seam lines. If seams aren’t visible, curious
collectors should also check the base of their piece and look for the
natural properties of a tooth cavity and a rough edge as
opposed to a clean-cut edge and smooth interior. Closer
inspection under a loop or microscope can also
distinguish a tooth or a tusk from bone.

Keeping Scrimshaw Safe
Once you’ve found a piece you love and have added
it to your collection, now what? Preservationists agree that
you should keep your scrimshaw out of direct sunlight. Too
much light will dry out your piece and may result in cracks. It can
also cause the pigments to fade. Handle it with freshly-washed
hands or cotton gloves to prevent the oils from your hands from
staining the surface (you may have seen this happen with older ivory
piano keys). Also, avoid places with changing temperatures and levels of
Authentic American scrimshaw can bring big bucks at auction. humidity – consistency is key.
In 2017, Osana’s Auction sold a sperm whale tooth with crisp, Some owners choose to wax their pieces once or twice a year for
clear carvings of the Pacific of Nantucket, signed in cursive preservation, and a warm beeswax or Renaissance Wax is recommended.
“Made.By.Edward.Burdett” on the base. Bringing $252,000, Whales Waxing scrimshaw gives it a nice sheen and keeps it protected.
this exquisite piece showed two scenes- the ship under full sail and If you need to clean your piece, do not use water. The ivory might
on the starboard side, and on the reverse, the port side walruses swell or crack, and pigments could be washed away or permanently
under reduced sail with a whale alongside, engaged weren’t the damaged. Similarly, soap and other cleaning solutions could even eat
in the “cutting in” process. photo: Osana Auctions, Nantucket only sea away at some of the finely carved lines. Dirt and oils are best removed
creatures from
Blacklight also offers a less invasive test. whom artists with a light dusting or a gentle wipe with a clean cotton cloth. If any
Plastic will either show no color change created scrimshaw. residue remains, dab it with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol,
under a blacklight, or it will give off a This late 19th or early but do not scrub. Doing so might remove pigments or wear away at the
dull blue, whereas bone or ivory items 20th century sword was engraved lines so that they will not hold ink. If this still isn’t enough,
will appear white or have a yellowish created from the bill of a consider taking your piece to a professional restorer or scrimshander.
cast, no matter their color in swordfish, though this example Wherever and however you store it, make sure you can see your
standard light. is painted instead of carved or scrimshaw. Much like fine jewelry (even down to the high price points),
Tricky forgers sometimes try to engraved. It sold at Skinner these are items to be treasured and passed on, enjoyed for their connec-
pass bone off as teeth/ivory, such as Auctions in 2014 for just over tion to America’s craftsmen sailors and life on the New England coast.
$1,400. photo: Skinner Auctions.

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