Artists unknown, American Scrimshaw Corset Busks, c. 1845. Ivory and baleen, ink. Various dimensions. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ellerton M. Jetté, American Heritage Collection 1956.103

A Second Skin

Scrimshaw Corsest Busks

Men drawn to the whaling life were promised adventure, but scrimshaw attests that excitement did not dominate the months or years they were out at sea.

Marina Wells, '15