A Whale of a Tale

November 13, 2014, by Andrew Whitesell

Call me Ishmael. Some years ago – 163 to be exact – Herman Melville's Moby-Dick was first published in the United States. In honor of this classic work, we'd like to share this whale themed slideshow. Enjoy!

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Making Plaster Mold of Body of Sulphur-Bottom Whale, 1903, lantern slide.

Making Plaster Mold of Body of Sulphur-Bottom Whale, 1903, lantern slide. Accession 12-492: United States National Museum, Division of Graphic Arts, Section of Photography, Photographic Collection, 1933. Smithsonian Institution Archives, neg. no. SIA2012-6539.

Skull of Sulphur-Bottom Whale Crated for Shipment to Washington, 1903, lantern slide.

Skull of Sulphur-Bottom Whale Crated for Shipment to Washington, 1903, lantern slide. Accession 12-492: United States National Museum, Division of Graphic Arts, Section of Photography, Photographic Collection, 1933. Smithsonian Institution Archives, neg. no. SIA2012-6536.

Full-Size Model of a Sulphur-Bottom Whale, 78 Feet Long, between 1910 and 1934, lantern slide.

Full-Size Model of a Sulphur-Bottom Whale, 78 Feet Long, between 1910 and 1934, lantern slide. Accession 12-492: United States National Museum, Division of Graphic Arts, Section of Photography, Photographic Collection, 1933. Smithsonian Institution Archives, neg. no. SIA2012-6538.

Engraving of Humpback Whale Model, by F. C. Jones, 1886.

Engraving of Humpback Whale Model, by F. C. Jones, 1886. Information File. Smithsonian Institution Archives, neg. no. 95-20342.

Louisiana Purchase Exposition in Saint Louis, Missouri, 1904.

Louisiana Purchase Exposition in Saint Louis, Missouri, 1904. Record Unit 95: Photographic Collection, 1850s- . Smithsonian Institution Archives, neg. no. NHB-16424.

Natural History Exhibit in the South Hall, U.S. National Museum, c. 1881-1887.

Natural History Exhibit in the South Hall, U.S. National Museum, c. 1881-1887. Record Unit 95: Photographic Collection, 1850s- . Smithsonian Institution Archives, neg. no. MNH-2796.

Blue Whale in the "Life in the Sea Exhibit," National Museum of Natural History, 1963.

Blue Whale in the "Life in the Sea Exhibit," National Museum of Natural History, 1963. Record Unit 95: Photographic Collection, 1850s- . Smithsonian Institution Archives, neg. no. 2002-12150.

Mammals in the South Hall of the U.S. National Museum, 1887.

Mammals in the South Hall of the U.S. National Museum, 1887. Record Unit 95: Photographic Collection, 1850s- . Smithsonian Institution Archives, neg. no. 2002-12131.

Life in the Sea Exhibit, National Museum of Natural History, 1962

Life in the Sea Exhibit, National Museum of Natural History, 1962. Record Unit 95: Photographic Collection, 1850s- . Smithsonian Institution Archives, neg. no. 98-4305.

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