Today, Scrimshaw is still practiced by master scrimshanders (the scrimshaw artist) and their work is highly sought after and collected. Perhaps most noted collector was President John F. Kennedy, who even displayed many of his most cherished pieces of ivory scrimshaw in Oval Office of White House. The greatest masters of craft to have ever picked up a scribe are working today. Their techniques and modern-day masterpieces they create have contributed greatly to increasing collector’s value of this significant and historical American art form. This is era of finest masterpieces ever produced in scrimshaw.

No animals are harmed as result of work by responsible scrimshanders. Most srimshaw is done on shed antler, bone, horn, legal elephant, antique piano keys and fossil ivories. The fossil ivory is from ice age giant, Wooly Mammoth, or ancient fossil mastodon or walrus tusk, making it ecologically ideal for traditional 14th wedding anniversary gift of ivory. Horn scrimshaw is most often seen on black powder hunting horns. The rare and beautiful woods used by artist are primarily black Ebony from harvest farms near Makassar on island of Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia, and equally magnificent Ironwoods from African continent.

Scrimshaw combines allure of history, fine art, and heritage making it not only a potentially valuable investment but an investment in our heritage. It links us with cave art to modern pieces and with extinct creatures. Maybe value scrimshaw collectors see far surpasses dollar.

5. Concentrate. Never allow your attention to wander while playing; put behind every note played most intelligent thought of which you are capable.

6. Master Every Step. Do not be satisfied to lay aside and piece that is to be memorized until you have thoroughly analyzed and comprehended its structure.

7. Demand Repose. Try to form habit of relaxing when practicing. This in time will do much towards improving style in which you play piano.

Good luck!