Question
I've been under the impression that genuine scrimshaw (made from whale tooth, walrus tusk, etc.) was, like ivory, acceptable to sell as long as it exceeded a certain age. I just had an auction yanked for a scrimshaw brooch dating roughly to 1970--and I know for a fact there was no U.S. ban on such objects at that time, because the brooch was purchased in a legitimate retail outlet.
Has there been some policy change I'm unaware of?
Answer
I don't know if the policy changed, but here's ebay's policy as currently listed.
Marine Mammal Products: Marine mammal products, including but not limited to polar bear, sea otter, whales (baleen and ivory), porpoise, dolphins, and seals, generally may not be listed for sale unless the animal part has been first transformed into an authentic Alaskan Native article of handicraft or clothing. The export/import of marine mammals typically requires CITES as well as other state and/or federal permits. Users should contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or National Marine Fisheries Service before importing or exporting marine mammal products.
Answer
Over 600 items with the word Scrimshaw written in the title.
Someone had better clue this new scrimshaw artist in.
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZthe...ratcherQQhtZ-1
Answer
Scrimshaw in and of itself is fine to sell and isn't the problem.
Scrimshaw is simply "scratching" a design into an object, then flooding with ink and wiping off the excess.
It's the IVORY portion that may be a problem at eBay.
Mammoth ivory is legal to obtain, use and sell.
I use ivory quite a bit in my baskets.
Old "recycled" ivory (cue balls, piano keys, old carvings, etc.) are used exclusively by my suppliers and artisans.
I have also used whale baleen (legally obtained) in a few of my select baskets. However, due to the ambiguity of the law, I haven't offered them for sale (yet).
Answer
Now I'm totally confused. So why was my auction shut down and these others aren't? Anybody I can contact at eBay for an answer?
Answer
Originally Posted by Snowshoe
Now I'm totally confused. So why was my auction shut down and these others aren't? Anybody I can contact at eBay for an answer?
usually it means someone reported the auction .
Answer
I used to sell antique ivory scrimshaw on eBay (about four years ago) and had no problem. I don't remember the TOS reading that way back then, so I suspect it's changed. It always changes.... :-(