The Old Print Shop

A Shoal of Sperm Whale. : Off the Island of Hawaii : In which the Ships Enterprise Wm. Roach Pocahontas & Hoqual : Were Engaged 16th Decr. 1833. . . .

  • ARTIST: Thomas Birch

  • PUBLISHER: Published by Cornelius B. Hulsart.

  • MEDIUM: Aquatint and engraving handcolored,

    DATE: 1838.

  • EDITION SIZE: Image size 16 1/4 x 23 13/16" (41 x 60.4 cm).

  • DESCRIPTION: Painted by T. Birch of Philad. From a sketch by C. B. Hulsart. Engraved printed and colored by J. Hill. The title continues "To the Merchants Capts. Officers & Crews engaged in Whale Fishing. : This print is respectfully inscribed by Corns. B. Hulsart who lost an arm onboard the whale Ship Superior of New London and was on board the Enterprise at the time." “Hulsart wisely chose the renowned marine artist Thomas Birch of Philadelphia to execute his second attempt at a whaling scene… surprisingly, there are not more whaling prints depicting Hawaii, since this group was the most popular rendezvous for the Pacific whalers in the nineteenth century… As the print shows, sperm whales could still be hunted in the waters off Hawaii in the early 19th century. The Islands, however, were far more important to whalemen as a source of fresh supplies, repairs, recruits, rest, and recreation.” Ingalls.

  • ADDITIONAL INFO:

  • CONDITION: Fair condition, good color. Rubbing in title and a few skillfully repaired tears.

  • REFERENCE: Brewington Kendall Whaling Museum Prints #1. Ingalls Whaling Prints in the Francis Lothrop Collection #252.