Walrus Tusks From Family Estate

J

jefferson14

Joined
Apr 30, 2013
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Hi there, I'm new to the forum. I have two walrus tusks that came from my uncle's estate. He purchased them in the late 1940's in NYC. From what I have read there are very strict laws governing the sale of ivory (as there should be) from endangered species and fall under CITES. They are very large, they measure from tip to base about 27 inches, one is 5.5 lbs. and the other is a little over 6 lbs. Also one tusk has a drilled hole on the tip. I've been told that they are worth 300.00 a lb.. It seems with all the restrictions it may be easier just to keep them as beautiful objects.
How can I tell if they are considered fossil? They are warm white with subtle browns and pinks in some areas. Also can anyone suggest what authorities I should contact about establishing the date and provenance of the tusks Any thoughts out there?
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Well...this is a knife forum...so I guess I would suggest having them made into knife handles ;)
 
Most of what you're asking is probably subject to whether you can prove ownership or provenance with documentation.
I'm not sure whom you would contact to date the ivory, but i'm sure an expert would be needed. I do know you need to be careful whom you contact, as should the ivory be deemed illegal it would be subject to confiscation.

WALRUS (non-fossil)-
Regulated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act. Raw walrus ivory predating the Dec. 21, 1972 law, tusks bearing the Alaska state walrus ivory registration tags or post-law walrus ivory that has been carved or scrimshawed by an Alaskan native (Eskimo) are legal to buy, possess, and sell.

Raw walrus ivory obtained after 12/21/72 is not legal to buy or sell unless both parties are Eskimo (it is legal to own). A $30 export permit is required to ship walrus ivory or oosik (legal as per above) out of the United States.


FOSSIL WALRUS IVORY-
Not restricted as it pre-dates the 1972 cutoff, it is legal to buy and sell anywhere within the United States. Shipping ivory or oosik (fossil walrus penal bone) out of the U. S. requires a $30 permit.
 
Karda said:
Shipping ivory or oosik (fossil walrus penal bone) out of the U. S. requires a $30 permit.
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I'm not sure that ancient walruses actually imprisoned sections of their skeletons.
I think the word you wanted was penile.

I'm not anti-semantic, some of my best friends are words. ;)
 
parbajtor said:
I'm not sure that ancient walruses actually imprisoned sections of their skeletons.
I think the word you wanted was penile.

I'm not anti-semantic, some of my best friends are words. ;)
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:thumbup: This made me happy
 
Would be saving a bunch of money and sending one of those to CRK for their whole inlay line, and the other to william henry for the same.
 
First I would not consult anyone from U.S. customs... period.
What I would do is try getting in touch with the largest Museum in a major city closest to where you live.
If you are in or near NYC, get in touch with the Museum Of Natural History, they'll tell you everything about them.
I would definitely not send them to any knife company, especially uninsured.
 
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Thank you. Good suggestion about going to the museum of natural history for any questions I may have regarding the tusks. I have noticed on the web that some old scrimshaw pieces that were done on whole tusks bave the same located drilled hole on the tip. I can only guess it was to tie rope through it to secure it so the artist could work on the tusk with some ease.
 
jefferson14 said:
Thank you. Good suggestion about going to the museum of natural history for any questions I may have regarding the tusks. I have noticed on the web that some old scrimshaw pieces that were done on whole tusks bave the same located drilled hole on the tip. I can only guess it was to tie rope through it to secure it so the artist could work on the tusk with some ease.
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9 years ago I sold on Ebay a bracelet my Dad had made for my Mom .
Made from Ivory Walrus tusks during the mid 1800's, seven gambling chips that were commonly
used on the paddle-wheel gambling boats that worked up an down the Mississippi river.
All done using the scrimshaw engraving technique.
I sold it for $7,500 to one of the biggest collectors in the U.S.

Pics of the bracelet:

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DSC_0055_zps006f8c7f.jpg


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geez, the laws are much simpler than people want to make them. I think it is because the word ivory has such a stigma around it.
 
rmbonham said:
geez, the laws are much simpler than people want to make them. I think it is because the word ivory has such a stigma around it.
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It's not that the word Ivory has a stigma around it.... It is illegal to import and/or sell animal Ivory tusks, either Walrus or Elephant (as shown in post #1).
If someone tried to sell whole "tusks" of either animal on Ebay they would end the auction and give the seller an infraction.
Can't sell them on Craigs list either, or to any knife manufacturer with the intent of making scales/handles.
However, if you come into possession of an item 'already made into' something from Ivory, you can sell it.
 
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These are not fossilized. Fossilized means turned to stone. Water, over time, washes away the original materials and replaces it with minerals.
 
Gollnick said:
These are not fossilized. Fossilized means turned to stone. Water, over time, washes away the original materials and replaces it with minerals.
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I asked this question, and was told that it doesn't actually mean fossilized it should say prehistoric instead of fossilized.
 
chambelona59 said:
It's not that the word Ivory has a stigma around it.... It is illegal to import and/or sell animal Ivory tusks, either Walrus or Elephant (as shown in post #1).
If someone tried to sell whole "tusks" of either animal on Ebay they would end the auction and give the seller an infraction.
Can't sell them on Craigs list either, or to any knife manufacturer with the intent of making scales/handles.
However, if you come into possession of an item 'already made into' something from Ivory, you can sell it.
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its not illegal to sell raw ivory, elephant or walrus.

if it was there wouldn't be so many sites on the net that sell and buy it.
 
heresthedeal said:
its not illegal to sell raw ivory, elephant or walrus.

if it was there wouldn't be so many sites on the net that sell and buy it.
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Can you show me a few of the many sites on the net that sell "whole tusks" either Walrus or Elephant, as shown in the photos in the original post in this thread?
Thanks
 
Under the terms on CITES, the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species, it is illegal to import into, export from, sell or trade or even posses within signatory nations, ivory from animals killed after July 1st, 1975. The USA is a signatory to that treaty. Unfortunately, without documenatary evidence, it is impossible to show that I ivory is from before July 1st, 1975z
 
http://www.boonetrading.com/Pg24.html#ElephantTusks

http://www.elephantivorytusks.com/

http://www.canadianivory.com/

Theres 3/three there are more, its not as hard as you think to find it.


I was lucky enough to find a tusk last year, and I had heard all the stories.

I contacted a few people in the DNR here in Ohio, they had no idea what the law was actually.

After a few days they got back to me, the basics were that once its in the country, its considered old, its coming and going that they worry about.

each state has its own laws as well.

Ohio looks at Asian different than African elephant.

I didn't have any problem selling it, and the DNR didn't seem to care that I had it as long as I had a receipt from where I bought it.
 
Thanks everyone for the feedback regarding the tusks. I actually found a paper within my uncle's files regarding the tusks and other ivory tusk tips today. He purchased them in NYC, 1950 for $5.00 a pound.
 
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