Description
The maker was likely the Fred H. Gardner who collected art and artifacts related to Nantucket history and had a long association with the Nantucket Historical Association. Gardner was descended from a family that settled on the island in the 17th century. He designed and produced The History Of Nantucket Island, A Bibliography Of Source Material With Index and Inventory (compiled by Marie Coffin, 1970) and designed and created a booklet titled Lifeline to the Islands, Sketches and Memories of Steamers Past and Present on the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket Run (1977). In 1997, when part of Gardner’s estate was being sold at auction, Michael Jehle, director of the Nantucket Historical Association, provided this tribute: “A descendant of islanders who carried with him a deep pride and love of the island’s history, an astute collector, and generous donor. Fred was a dear friend of generations of Nantucket Historical Association curators…. One of Fred Gardner’s greatest gifts to Nantucket was the remarkable collection of scrimshaw, whaling art, and documents he donated to the Nantucket Historical Association. Over his lifetime, Fred collected a vast array of artifacts from Nantucket’s whaling past and his desire to share his love for their stories was one of his most endearing qualities.”
Reference:
“Americana, Continental, Fine Art, Folk Art, and Marine Auction.” 2008. Rafael E. Osuna, Auctioneer & Appraiser. http://www.graciouslady.com/2008/aug2/cat1-10.pdf (29 August 2013).