About 50 years ago my grandfather surprised his family and came home with a 25 pound lobster in the bed of his pick up truck, which he purchased from a local fish store on the east end of Long Island. My aunt knew that it was a rare occasion and had the sense to save the claw from this monster lobster.
My family has had the claw tucked away in storage since that day. Occasionally it would make its way out of safe keeping, during parties and special occasions, to prove that the story of this monster was no tall-tale.
Some years ago, after an art fair where the original claw was on display, I came to learn that the carvings in the claw (which due to the process of printing, is reversed) says "For Leningrad, DMB, (possibly 1972)” A term used to recognize Russian retirement from military service. Which begs the questions… Where has this lobster traveled? What has it seen? In the early 1970s, Soviet trawlers were known to operate in waters off Long Island, clashing with American lobster fishermen… and interfering with their lobster pots… The Soviet fleet was also fishing for groundfish like hake and herring, which were found in the same areas as American lobster traps, further increasing conflict. It is quite possible this giant lobster was caught and released out of respect by Soviet fisherman!
This print is now being offered in multiple sizes as part of my new “Hanko Series,” which features my distinctive hanko signature along with a numbered edition.
These are archival copies of the original, printed on fine art paper using giclee printing methods. Every print is shipped with a certificate of authenticity.
About 50 years ago my grandfather surprised his family and came home with a 25 pound lobster in the bed of his pick up truck, which he purchased from a local fish store on the east end of Long Island. My aunt knew that it was a rare occasion and had the sense to save the claw from this monster lobster.
My family has had the claw tucked away in storage since that day. Occasionally it would make its way out of safe keeping, during parties and special occasions, to prove that the story of this monster was no tall-tale.
Some years ago, after an art fair where the original claw was on display, I came to learn that the carvings in the claw (which due to the process of printing, is reversed) says "For Leningrad, DMB, (possibly 1972)” A term used to recognize Russian retirement from military service. Which begs the questions… Where has this lobster traveled? What has it seen? In the early 1970s, Soviet trawlers were known to operate in waters off Long Island, clashing with American lobster fishermen… and interfering with their lobster pots… The Soviet fleet was also fishing for groundfish like hake and herring, which were found in the same areas as American lobster traps, further increasing conflict. It is quite possible this giant lobster was caught and released out of respect by Soviet fisherman!
This print is now being offered in multiple sizes as part of my new “Hanko Series,” which features my distinctive hanko signature along with a numbered edition.
These are archival copies of the original, printed on fine art paper using giclee printing methods. Every print is shipped with a certificate of authenticity.
