I
bought this item from a dealer in Surrey (UK) in 1998 for about $40. It
was described as a drinking horn, but the dealer was not too sure of its
intended purpose.
I
bought it because its Canadian connection - the New Brunswick token at
the tip and the inscription of Repulse Bay. I have dated the token at
the tip of the horn to 1843, the same date that is inscribed on the horn
itself. I have not researched the significance of the date to Repulse
Bay or if in fact Europeans were in that area in any great numbers. Perhaps
there may be a whaling connection.
The
horn is about 30cm long and 12 cm in diameter at the base.
Well, we could speculate for quite a time with
this horn and I would certainly like to examine it. But I would recommend
S.C. to pick up a copy of 'Fatal Passage' - The untold story of John Rae,
the arctic adventurer who discovered the fate of Franklin.' by Ken MacGoogan
and published by Harper Canada. The horn could have quite a story.
I
bought it because its Canadian connection - the New Brunswick token at
the tip and the inscription of Repulse Bay. I have dated the token at
the tip of the horn to 1843, the same date that is inscribed on the horn
itself. I have not researched the significance of the date to Repulse
Bay or if in fact Europeans were in that area in any great numbers. Perhaps
there may be a whaling connection.
