This miniature is entitled 'Captain William Tolley Brookes 1791-1874' and is contained within a carved gilt frame. It bears an identifying inscription. Brookes was a successful seaman in South Sea whaling. The Museum has a collection of scrimshaw items he owned and three of his journals, of voyages in the 'Recovery', 1828-31, and 'Matilda', 1832-36, (JOD/61), and the 'Active' (JOD/59) which he commanded, 1838-42. Also another miniature (MNT0101) which, like this one, was acquired from Major C. J. H. Tolley, his great-grandson, in 1978. Though the files remain to be checked, all the other material came as a single bequest in the same year and the two miniatures are likely to be part of that.