The walking-stick has a whalebone and ivory top decorated with a carving of a human skull.

BBC: The man who gives away ?600m a year

But the whaling industry began its long decline more than 150 years ago, as demand for its products which ranged from candles to lamp oil, corset whalebone, cosmetics and engine lubricants evaporated with the appearance of petrochemicals, steel and plastics.

ECONOMIST: Obduracy in the face of hypocrisy