Unique and historically interesting collection of items associated with a 1940s whaling expedition, originating from a private collection and offered publicly for the first time.

The original owner served as a diplomatic courier for the U.S. State Department during the 1940s. While on assignment in China, he was given the rare opportunity to join a local whaling expedition. As an experienced big game hunter, he accepted and spent several days at sea alongside local crews, actively participating in the search before a whale was eventually located. He later described the experience as both fascinating and deeply impactful.

This lot includes a wine bottle filled with whale oil, several whale teeth, the tip of the spear used during the hunt, and a period photograph depicting the whale being brought in for processing. The spear tip is notably bent and deformed; upon returning, the owner was informed he could not transport it as a weapon on the flight. In order to bring it back, he deliberately bent the spear, both to comply with travel restrictions and as a reflection of his mixed feelings about the experience, allowing it to be presented as a non-functional display piece.

Also included is a custom carved wooden mounting piece in the form of a full-bodied whale, created to display the teeth and used by the owner as a functional coat rack.

All items have remained in the same private collection since their acquisition and are now being offered together. The lot is presented in good vintage condition with wear consistent with age, use, and the nature of the materials. See lot photos for additional details regarding the contents and overall condition.

Whale Coat Rack: 41" L x 8.5" W x 5.75" D

Local Delivery Available
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Terms of Sale:
- All items are sold As-Is, As-Shown in the photographs.
- Buyers are responsible for reviewing all photos in detail to assess condition, contents, authenticity, and any flaws.
- Items are used and estate-found; some imperfections may not be visible in the photos.
- All electrical and mechanical items are sold in UNTESTED condition.
- All statements provided are opinions based solely on our visual inspection.
- Dimensions, if not listed, may be visible within the photographs.
- Questions are typically answered within 48 hours; inquiries sent within 48 hours of the auction may not receive a reply.

Pickup Terms:
All items are located at our Oakville, CT gallery.
Pickup is by appointment only:

Days:  Tuesday through Saturday (following the auction)
Time:  10:00 AM – 3:00 PM EST
(A scheduling link will be emailed after the auction)

Note: If you cannot make the pickup window, you must contact us before bidding to make alternative arrangements.

Important: All items must be picked up by the Saturday following the auction. Items not collected will incur $5 per lot, per day storage fees unless prior arrangements are made.  Items held over 14 days without contact may be considered abandoned and resold without further notice or refund.

Shipping Advisory:
We do not offer in-house shipping. All shipping must be arranged through a third-party shipper. Please obtain quotes before bidding—shipping can be expensive regardless of item cost (for example, a $10 item may cost $100+ to ship).

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Condition Reports:
The absence of a condition note does not imply an item is flawless. Reports are provided as a courtesy and reflect our team’s qualified opinions—not guarantees. LiveAuctioneers dimensions and weights may differ and are primarily used for shipping estimates.

Buyers are responsible for reviewing all provided photos—these form part of the condition report. Flaws may appear in images even if not noted in text. By bidding, you acknowledge you have reviewed and accepted the photos and descriptions.

Reminder:
All items are sold “as is, where is” without warranties, guarantees, or returns. If in doubt, contact us before bidding with any questions.

Fine Jewelry & High Value Items:
For High Value / Gold & Silver invoices over $300, we only accept payment via bank wire ($35 wire fee if under $1k), Zelle, certified check, or cash.  For invoices over $2,500, payment must paid by certified check, bank wire or cash only. No other payment method will not be accepted for these items.

These requirements apply to all new customers. Customers who have successfully completed purchases of gold, silver, or other high-value items in three (3) or more prior East-Wing Estate Sales auctions without incident may, at East-Wing's sole discretion, be permitted to use standard payment methods.

East-Wing Estate Sales reserves the right to hold any high value purchase for up to fifteen (15) business days for verification of funds prior to the items release, regardless of pickup or shipping method.  All Certified check purchases will be held for verification of funds.