Edgartown Scrimshaw

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Vineyard Time's Herreshoff 12.5 features elephant ivory hand engraved by Tom DeMont. — Photo courtesy of Vineyardtime.com.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this another great week of sharing favorite shopping places, which led to another tough choice for me. This week I was very moved by Sue of Palm Harbor, Fla. She took the time to share some of her personal experiences with Tom DeMont of the Edgartown Scrimshaw Gallery on Main Street. For those not aware of Mr. DeMont’s unique talent, scrimshaw is a type of folk art dating from at least the 17th century in which whale teeth, whale bones, and walrus tusks were engraved or lightly carved with a picture or design.

I brought along my mother to visit Mr. DeMont, as she, like I, has always been a big fan of his. When I told him of Sue’s nomination for favorite shop, he was thrilled. He then became as excited as a schoolboy with a new toy when I asked him what the latest craze was in the shop. His answer was Vineyard Time watches, founded in 2009 by Rubin Douglas of Rubin Douglas Timepieces.

To illustrate to us more clearly, Mr. DeMont brought out the most amazing man’s watch I have ever seen. It was handsome, with a wide band and a large stainless steel case, which held the most unusual watch face ever to grace a wrist. For this particular special order watch, Mr. DeMont had gotten permission from Island artist Margot Datz to take her iconic art piece, Mad Mad Mermaid, and scrimshaw it on the watch face. Fabulous.

As always, Mr. DeMont has not limited himself in his new endeavor of watch face creator, as evident by several more watch faces that he showed us. With a selection ranging from a whale to several various Island lighthouses, it was very obvious why these watches cost $900.

He cautioned us that, “Orders are coming in as fast as they can make them.” He ensures us that there will be five stores carrying them for the holiday season, but not to delay as he thinks they are going to be an extremely popular gift this year. For more information, visit vineyardtime.com or stop in and see them personally. A lady’s watch line will be coming next year.

Mr. DeMont is positive, after being in the store for a “miracle” 33 years, that this year they have some of the best things they have ever had. They still have last year’s hot seller (which hasn’t slowed down a bit in the must-have department), The Mova Globe. The Mova Globe is a grapefruit sized globe that seemingly floats over its clear stand as it converts ambient light into voltage to power the continually turning globe.

Other hot sellers are the scrimshaw cuff links, along with the large array of scrimshaw pocket, hunting, and fishing knives. These very popular gifts can be personalized with initials carved into the backside of the knife. With more than 175 different artisans on display, Mr. DeMont promises that you will always be able to find that unique gift you were looking for.

Coming for the Holiday Season, they will be running an unheard-of 30 to 40 percent discount on Nantucket Baskets. If you have waited to buy your own family heirloom, that you get to wear, then this is your year to get it. Supplies will be limited, so for the best selection, get in there early.