A Whale of a Tale

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!

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. 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. 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. Information File. Smithsonian Institution Archives, neg. no. 95-20342.

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. 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. 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. Record Unit 95: Photographic Collection, 1850s- . Smithsonian Institution Archives, neg. no. 2002-12131.

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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