322 KKruKT OF COMMISSIONEK OF FISH AND FISHEEIES. 



The total product of soa-otter skins, obtained from the North Pacific 

 since the development of the hunt, about two hundred years ago, 

 approximates 700,000, made up as follows: 



Bv whom obtained. 



Russian traders, previous to 1797 . 

 Russian American Co., 1 798-1 ,SG7 . 

 Miscclhuiciius trailers, 17sr>-lS2S. , 

 Miseell.-iiieous trailers, ]K'.!",t-lMi7. 

 Miseellaneous traders, l.S(i,s-l'.KK)., 



Number 

 of skin.s. 



130,000 

 160,000 

 2.50, 000 

 1.5,000 

 14.5, 000 



Assuming that these skins cost the consumers an average of $150 

 each, we have a total of $105,000,000 expended for sea-otter furs, of 

 which doubtless over 95 per cent came from residents of China and 

 of Russia, and proba))ly more than SO per cent from the Chinese alone. 

 A single skin has sold for $1,400, and though that is a fancy price, 

 $700 or $800 is not unusual. The value is determined ])y the size, 

 richness of color and texture, and the depth of the blackish hue stud- 

 ded with a suitable lunnber of silvery hairs. The market value has 

 varied somewhat fi'om year to year, Imt has been high ever since the 

 origin of the traffic in these furs. At the time of Cook's celebrated 

 voyage to the North Pacific in 1778, the price of a prime skin was 

 about $120 in China. In 1802, when the largest collection was made — 

 25,000 skins — the average price of large and small at Canton was about 

 $50 each. In 1840 prime skins sold readily for $150 each out of the 

 vessel. The average price of all skins at the London sales in 18S8 was 

 £21 lO.y.; in 1889, £38; and in 1891, £57; but the first-quality skins 

 fetched much higher prices. At present, pelts average in value £65 

 each, including cubs as well as prime skins, while choice specimens 

 readily fetch £200 each. 



Seldom do the choicest sea-otter skins enter into the retail trade in 

 America or England; and although the greater part of them arc caught 

 within the limits of the United kStatcs, it might be difficult at times to 

 find a dozen skins in all the fur stores of the country. This fur has 

 ever been held in high estimation In' the Russians and Cliinese, but the 

 great cost limits its use to the wealthy classes exclusivel}'. It is the 

 royal fur of China, being worn b}^ officers of State, mandarins, and 

 other jH-rsoMs of ini])()rtance in the Celestial Kingdom. In Russia it is 

 used principally for the collars of overcoats. Sea-otter fur is also used 

 for making muflfs and for bordering tine garments made of textile fab- 

 rics or of other costly furs. Owing to its great weight as well as cost, 

 entire wraps arc rarely made of it. 



While many sea-otter skins arc marketed in Asia and Russia, pro))- 

 ably 80 per cent of them pass through the London auction sales held 

 in March of each 3'ear. The large decrease in the abiuuhmcc of these 

 animals is well illustrated by the decreasing numbers otlered at those 

 sales, the (luantity sold at present being little more than 1(» per cent 

 of what it was twentv vears aj^-o. 



