MODELS & HALF HULLS
Catalog Page 2
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2.14 CRUISE MEMENTO MODEL. Genuine passenger ship cruise trophy from the famous American President Lines cargo/passenger liner the "S. S. PRESIDENT CLEVELAND" as identified in embossed letters below the model of the ship. This good likeness is formed of heavy cast metal done with faithful detail. It is faced by an engraved brass plaque reading “ACHIEVEMENT” and flanked by the embossed inscription “ACHIEVEMENT.” Excellent overall condition with a good age patina. 8 1/2 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide. A very displayable and handsome authentic model. 69
The steam cargo/passenger ship SS PRESIDENT CLEVLAND was a P2 design ship built in 1947 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Co., Alameda California, Hull No. 9509. She had a length of 609 feet, a draft of 30 feet, displaced 23,404 tons and had a cruising speed of 20 knots. Designed to carry 379 First Class passengers and 200 economy, she also boasted a cargo capacity of 193,984 cubic feet. Homeported in San Francisco, the CLEVELAND along with her sister ship the PRESIDENT WILSON reestablished America’s preeminence in the passenger trade between the West Coast and the Orient. But in 1973, with passenger liner service no longer profitable, American President Lines sold the ship. It was scrapped a year later.
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2.15 CRUISE MEMENTO MODEL. Genuine passenger ship cruise trophy from the famous American President Lines cargo/passenger liner the "S. S. PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT" as identified in embossed letters below the model of the ship. This good likeness is formed of heavy cast metal done with faithful detail. It is faced by a brass plaque engraved "BRIDGE.". Excellent overall condition with good age patina and surface oxidation to the metal. 8 ½ inches long by 2 ½ inches wide. A very displayable and handsome authentic model. 69
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2.02 RARE PADDLEWHEEL DIORAMA ex. MUSEUM!
Charming late 19th century cased waterline model of the
steam side wheel steamer identified as "WAVERLEY" on the paddle box
and on the bow. This classic folk art ship diorama depicts the
excursion steamer plying a putty sea with pennants flying from the
mast and the British ensign from the stern. Many quaint details are
in evidence including wooden-capped railings, life rings, ladders,
lifeboats in their davits, deck houses, helm, binnacle and
telegraphs, funnels, portholes, capstans and more! The model is in
lovely original condition, with nice age to the painted and natural
wood surfaces. It is housed in its original 3-sided glazed wooden
case with exceptional ebonized, hand-carved
molding! This case measures 21 inches long by 10 inches high and 5
3/4 inches deep. As is typical, a couple of very small age cracks
exist in the old, solid wood panels. A museum accession number is
painted on the back of the case.
895![]()
The P.S. (Paddlewheel Steamer) WAVERLEY was launched on May 29th, 1899 by A. and J. Inglis of Pointhouse, Glasgow, Scotland. She was 235 feet in length and of 449 gross registered tons. WAVERLEY was the first vessel in the North British Steam Packet Co. Ltd. fleet, and featured compound engines for the first time, which allowed her to operate greater distances from her homeport of Craigendoran, Scotland. After service retrenchment in 1902 she was assigned to regular railway connections with the London & North Eastern Railway. WAVERLEY went into Admiralty service at the end of 1915, actively participating in British actions during the Great War. WAVERLEY was laid up in 1939, but was soon reactivated for World War II service. Assigned to the minesweeping flotilla at Harwich, the venerable vessel was evacuating British troops from Dunkirk, France on May 30, 1940 when she was struck by German aircraft in the English Channel and sunk with the loss of nearly 400 lives, including most of the crew.
We have been commissioned by a well-known museum to sell this model because it is not in keeping with the museum's collection objectives. The museum wishes to maintain its public anonymity. However it has given us permission to provide the ultimate purchaser with this information so that the valuable provenance may remain with this model.
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2.11 CASED MODEL. Simply superb folk
art model of an American 4-masted bark identified on the
quarterboards as the "DELFIN." This scratch-built sailor-made
model is constructed entirely of wood with some metal parts such as
davits and rails and exhibits the highest standards of the ship
modeler's art. All deck details are represented including chocks,
bitts, running lights, capstan, ventilators, ladders, rails, deck
house with skylight, doors and windows; ship's boats in davits,
midships deckhouse with Charlie Noble, hatches, fife rails, poop with
deck house, steering gear box, binnacle and a finely executed
railing. Detail aloft is also of the highest order showing the
standing rigging taught and to scale with blocks properly depicted.
The vessel flies the American ensign from the spanker boom aft and is
identified on the stern transom "DELFIN BOSTON." The ship is shown
standing at anchor with both hooks out in a painted putty sea. The
entire presentation is contained within its original glazed wooden
case in untouched original condition showing great old crackled
surfaces. The model itself is crisp, bright and as clean as they
come. The case measures 19 3/4 inches long by 6 1/2 inches wide and
stands 10 1/4 inches high. One of the nicest folk art ship models
ever! ![]()
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2.10 LIVE STEAM MODEL. Impressive,
large model of a launch with a functional steam plant! This shapely,
faithfully-built model has a watertight fiberglass hull on the
exterior realistically lined in planked teak with mahogany ribs on
the interior. The main deck is trimmed with mahogany rails fore and
aft, with brass chocks. The focs'le has a stockless brass anchor with
chain connected to a bollard. On the interior there are two lockers
with hinged lids which serve as seats, and there is a third teak
bench aft. The bilge of this model has stout mahogany planks on which
the steam plant is mounted. It consists of a pressurized gas burner
which exhausts into the copper boiler sheathed in wood. A pressure
gauge is attached, as are a tall brass smokestack and steam whistle.
The steam output from the boiler is fed through a series of brass
pipes to twin reciprocating cylinders. The crankshaft is connected to
a flywheel which then connects to the brass propeller shaft via a
universal joint and a manual clutch. The shaft exits the stern
packing to connect with the 4-bladed hand-wrought propeller. Abaft
the propeller is the large wooden rudder. The forepeak contains two
hinged doors which provide access to the chain locker. The hull
measures 49 1/2 inches in length and has a 14 inch beam. The length
overall is 50 1/2 inches by 17 1/2 inches tall. Complete with
custom-made mahogany stand. This model was originally designed to run
on steam. We offer it now solely as the decorative model it is.
However it does appear that the steam plant is in tact and could be
made to run again.
2495![]()
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2.83 BATTLESHIP MODEL. Very rare
period model of the famous American Battleship USS WISCONSIN
(BB-9). This entirely hand-made model was constructed in the
early 1900's and bears an engraved brass plaque reading "U.S.
BATTLESHIP WISCONSIN BUILT BY PHIL ROBBINS." It features a waterline
hull which is hand sculpted entirely of solid wood, including the
superstructure and masts, accented with metal components. Its
remarkable detail is very realistic including boats in davits and
alongside in the water, steam launches, life lines, ladders, funnels,
machine guns, 14 six inch guns, cargo davits and cranes, foc'sle
bell, whistles, anchor, liferings, lights, portholes, accommodation
ladders, range finders, rigging, deck equipment and of course the
revolving fore and aft main batteries representing the
WISCONSIN's twin 13 inch guns. The model itself measures 37
inches long, 7 1/4 inches on the beam and 14 3/4 inches tall from the
waterline to the mainmast. The glazed oak case measures 44 inches
long, 15 inches wide and 18 inches high. A rare museum-quality model
of one of America's first dreadnoughts! ![]()
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The first WISCONSIN (Battleship No.
9) was laid down on February 9, 1897 at San Francisco, California by
the Union Iron Works, launched on November 26, 1898 and commissioned
on February 4, 1901, Captain George C. Reiter in command.
Departing San Francisco in March of 1901,
WISCONSIN conducted general drills and exercises at Magdalena
Bay, Mexico, in March and April before heading back toward San
Francisco in June. She next made a voyage, in company with the
battleships USS OREGON (Battleship No. 3) and USS IOWA
(Battleship No. 4), the cruiser USS PHILADELPHIA, and the
torpedo-boat destroyer USS FARRAGUT to the Pacific Northwest
participating in 4th of July observances there and scheduled drills
and exercises. Those evolutions kept the ship occupied through
mid-July.
WISCONSIN, as flagship Pacific
Squadron with Rear Admiral Silas Casey embarked, arrived at Panama,
Colombia, in 30 September 1902, to protect American interests and to
preserve the integrity of transit across the isthmus. Casey offered
his services as a mediator and ultimately the warring sides made an
agreement, signing a treaty that came to be known as "The Peace of
Wisconsin."
In May the battleship sailed for the Asiatic
Station. WISCONSIN operated in the Far East Fleet over the
next three years before she returned to the United States in the
autumn of 1906.
The battleship returned to the Puget Sound
Navy Yard and was decommissioned on November 15, 1906, but was
recommissioned on April 1, 1908, Capt. Henry Morrell in command.
Returning to San Francisco in early July
WISCONSIN joined the battleships of the Atlantic Fleet in
setting out on the transpacific leg of the momentous circumnavigation
of the globe known as the cruise of the "Great White Fleet," a
dramatic gesture made by President Theodore Roosevelt as evidence of
his "big stick" policy.
WISCONSIN returned to the Portsmouth
Naval Yard to undergo refit through June 1909. During that period she
shed her bright "white and spar color" donning a more businesslike
gray. In the spring of the following year she was placed in reserve
and assumed training duties of Naval Academy cadets along with the
battleships MISSOURI and OHIO. With that group, she
became the third battleship to transit the Panama Canal, making that
trip in mid-July 1915 en route to the west coast of the United
States.
On April 23, 1917, with America's
declaration of war on Germany, WISCONSIN was placed back in full
commission and was assigned to the Coastal Battleship Patrol Squadron
in the Atlantic. However she eluded enemy action throughout the War,
serving primarily as a training ship.
Placed out of commission on 15 May 1920,
WISCONSIN was reclassified BB-9 on July 17, 1920, while
awaiting disposition In New York Harbor. She was sold for scrap on
January 26, 1922 in accordance with the Washington Treaty.
This model represents WISCONSIN
during her "pre-gray period," before 1909, and was probably made
during that time.
Statistics:
Displacement: 11,564 tons
Length: 373'10"
Beam: 72'2"
Draft: 23'8"
Speed: 16 knots
Complement: 531
Armament: Four 13" guns; fourteen 6" guns; six 6-pounders; six
1-pounders; four .30-cal. machine guns
Class: Illinois
(From "The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships" published by the Naval Historical Center, Washington D.C.)
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2.07 FAMOUS SHIP MODEL. Exceptional,
working model of Admiral Byrd's first Polar exploration ship the
USS CITY OF NEW YORK. This period, hand-made model is of all
wood construction with brass, metal, mica and even some ivory
fittings! The solid hull is laminated in lifts, similar to the
construction of authentic half hulls. It is painted black below the
waterline, gray on the bulwarks, with white rails. There are five
portholes aft and 3 gunports amidships on each side. The vessel is of
full ship rig with three masts and has authentically detailed
standing and running rigging, fife rails, belaying pins, rat lines,
dead eyes, mast tops, etc. The focsle deck is complete with capstan,
cat heads, kedge anchors and chain life lines. Amidships are the life
boats in their davits, cargo hatch and winch. Further aft the deck
house is complete with portholes, door and windows with mica "glass."
A water cask with spigot is mounted on top along with the Marconi
antenna and flying bridge with functional helm! There is also a
footed storage box, dinghy and racks of ivory buckets
with bail handles! On the poop deck is the skylight with mica
windows. Mounted atop it is the binnacle which actually shows the
compass needle! On the starboard side is a sounding machine. The
after steering gear is incredible. It is realistically constructed
with chains fairlead through pulleys, connected to the flying bridge
helm, which actually turn the rudder! To accomplish this, the rudder
is attached with functional post and pintle construction. Forward of
the rudder is the ship's brass propeller. The model is supported in a
solid teak wood cradle and is protected within a lovely solid glazed
mahogany case. The model itself measures 34 1/2 inches long overall
and 23 inches high. The case measures 41 inches long, 11 1/2 inches
wide and stands 27 1/2 inches tall. This model is authentic to the
period and may have actually been constructed by a crewman onboard
the CITY OF NEW YORK. Circa 1930. Excellent original condition
throughout showing good age and careful preservation.![]()
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The famous polar exploration ship USS CITY OF NEW YORK was originally built as a sealing barkentine named the SAMPSON, and launched in Arendal, Norway, in 1885. Of very stout construction, her hull was up to 34 inches thick in some places! Lingering stories, borne out by confirmed facts, indicate that she may have been the "mystery ship" seen on the night RMS TITANIC sank. Many witnesses claimed to have seen lights of an unknown ship near TITANIC that fateful night. SAMPSON purportedly was engaged in illegal sealing operations at the time and location TITANIC went down. The belief is that the crew of SAMPSON was startled by the fast approaching ship firing rockets. Thinking it to be a revenue cutter, the poachers fled. In tragic irony, it was actually the ill-fated TITANIC firing distress rockets after it had struck an iceberg!
After a long career as a sealer, SAMPSON was purchased in 1927 for the U.S. Navy by Admiral Richard E. Byrd to be used as his polar exploration flagship. En route New York for refit she was nearly lost in a severe storm as she crossed the Atlantic. With her steam engine inoperable, the transit ended up taking 3 months instead of 3 weeks! Finally, after arriving in her new namesake port she was rebuilt, ship rigged and dubbed the CITY OF NEW YORK.
Newly fitted out, the USS CITY OF NEW YORK departed New York on August 25, 1928 bound for New Zealand. Arriving there on November 26th, she took on additional supplies and set out for Antarctica. To save her precious coal supply she was towed by the SS ELEANOR BOLLING. On December 7th the ships encountered a heavy gale which caused the towline to part. CITY OF NEW YORK was left with 30 fathoms of hawser hanging from her bow. It took all hands 2 hours of back breaking work to haul in the heavy line.
Upon reaching the pack ice on January 1st 1929, CITY OF NEW YORK located a suitable spot for an Antarctic base. The new base was immediately established and named Little America. There it remains to this day. After CITY OF NEW YORK unloaded her cargo she attempted exploration trips through the ice. But in the face of severe weather, the ship was forced to abandon such attempts. She departed for New Zealand in mid-February, barely making it out of the ice pack in time. After refueling from a supply ship she pushed north through terrific gales and was nearly lost. She laid up for the winter in New Zealand. Undaunted, CITY OF NEW YORK sailed south on January 5, 1930. But again, she ran into heavy weather from the start, and only reached pack ice after great difficulty. There she was hit by a 100 mph hour gale. With her engine straining, she was driven backwards onto the ice shelf. To save her rudder the captain swung her broadside and she rode out the gale pinned to the ice. The storm encased the CITY OF NEW YORK in over 200 tons of dangerous ice topside. With a normal displacement of only 500 tons, tired crewmen were forced to set about the laborious task of chipping away the ice for fear of capsizing! CITY OF NEW YORK finally arrived at Little America on February 18th. Evacuation of personnel still at the base commenced immediately, and within 24 hours the ship was headed north again.
Upon returning to her homeport, CITY OF NEW YORK was replaced on future Antarctic explorations by the famous ex-whaler, the USS BEAR. CITY OF NEW YORK became a floating polar research museum, touring the Atlantic coast and Great Lakes. World War II brought great need for shipping. To help meet that need CITY OF NEW YORK was rerigged as a 3-masted schooner, stripped of her engine and reentered service in 1944 out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. But by 1947 she was deemed to be too slow. So her topmasts were removed, her bowsprit was shortened and she was fitted with an engine. Thus she became a motor schooner, carrying lightened sail.
The venerable ship finally met her fate in 1962 when, as she was being towed out of Yarmouth Harbor, Nova Scotia, the tow line parted and she drifted onto Chebogue Ledge. She quickly took on water and sank.
(See item 5.25 EXTREMELY IMPORTANT HISTORICAL COLLECTION "USS BEAR.")
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2.08 FAMOUS SHIP MODEL with MUSEUM
PROVENANCE. Period, hand-made model of the World War II troop
ship USS HERMITAGE. This sailor-made model exhibits excellent
craftsmanship and very fine detail, with all aspects of the ship's
construction meticulously executed, even down to the coxswain's rails
and planking on the ship's boats! The large, solid hull wooden model
measures 41 inches long by 5 1/4 inches wide at the widest on the
bridge wings. It is mounted atop its original solid cherrywood base
measuring 43 inches long by 5 1/2 inches wide and 1 inch thick.
Outstanding original condition for a model of this size, construction
and vintage! 2495![]()
A well-known Museum has commissioned us to sell this model because it is not in keeping with the purpose of its collection. The Museum has asked us to provide anonymity during this offering. However full Museum provenance will be provided to the successful buyer so that its valuable history will be retained with the model.
The grand passenger ship S.S. CONTE BIANCOMANO was launched in 1925 by William Beardmore & Co. Ltd. of Glasgow, Scotland, sailing as a luxury liner for Lloyd Triestino So. Anon. di Nav. Italia. When Italy declared war on the United States shortly after America's entry into the War with Japan in December 1941, CONTE BIANCOMANO was interned at Balboa, Canal Zone, sailed to the U.S. and converted to a troop transport by Cramp Shipbuilding of Philadelphia. She was commissioned as the USS HERMITAGE on August 14, 1942.
On November 2, 1942 HERMITAGE embarked 5,600 army troops and sailors and departed New York for the Mediterranean. Six days later the North African invasion began, and HERMITAGE debarked her passengers at Casablanca to participate in the famous campaign known as Operation Torch. Returning to Norfolk, Virginia on December 11th, HERMITAGE next steamed for the Pacific with nearly 6,000 passengers embarked. After embarking and debarking passengers at Balboa, Noumea, Brisbane, Sydney Pago Pago, and Honolulu the former luxury liner put into San Francisco on March 2nd, 1943.
HERMITAGE next made way for Wellington, New Zealand on March 27, 1943, calling at Melbourne, Australia and Bombay India. In Bombay she embarked some 707 Polish refugees, including nearly one hundred children, for a voyage back to California which ended on June 25th. In the following year HERMITAGE made three similar cruises in the South Pacific, with battle-bound troops, civilians, and refugees.
HERMITAGE departed New York on June 16, 1944 with over 6,000 troops headed for the D-Day invasion of Europe, which had just begun at Normandy. From then on, until the end of the war, she made 10 more voyages to Le Havre and other ports, bringing additional troops to the European theater and returning the wounded back to the States along with P.O.W.'s.
V-E Day, May 8, 1945, found HERMITAGE in the midst of a celebration in Le Havre Harbor, France. With the War over, she was pressed into service returning veterans home from the European theater through December 1945. Departing New York 12 December, the well-traveled transport sailed to Nagoya, Japan to embark 6,000 veterans to Seattle, arriving February 4, 1946. Assigned to the San Francisco-Marianas run for Operation Magic Carpet, she made three more voyages before being decommissioned in San Francisco on August 20, 1946.
While serving with the Navy, HERMITAGE sailed over 230,000 miles, transporting 129,695 passengers, including American, British, Australian, French and Dutch fighting men. She also carried Chinese, American, Polish, and British civilians, not to mention German and Italian prisoners. HERMITAGE was returned to the Italian Government in May 1947 and renamed SS CONTE BIANCAMANO once more. Fittingly, the sunset of her career saw her continuing in her originally designed role as a passenger liner until she was ultimately scrapped in 1969.
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2.70 CASED FOLK ART MODEL.
Exceptional late 19th century American sailor-made model of the
4-masted bark signed on the stern in relief "DIL" (probably
the maker's initials) and identified on both trail boards as
"ALBERT." This charming folk art ship model is entirely hand made in
a manner very faithful to the original. The sleek, waterline hull is
sculpted entirely out of carved wood. All aspects of this model are
executed with a superiority of detail that we have never encountered
in such a model before. ALL of the ship's lines, both
standing and running rigging are depicted, including the square sail
lift lines, bunt lines and clews, and even individually hand tied rat
lines. These are details rarely seen even on the finest scale
models. Also depicted are the jib sail halyards -- virtually
never seen in a model of this type. All tackle (blocks) are
individually formed and properly depicted with line actually rove
through the cheeks. Other rigging details include chafing gear on the
ratlines and even tiny keeper stays tied between them! Fine woolding
is in evidence at the attachment of the aft spanker sail. Deck
detailing is superior. All 4 hand-carved lifeboats are meticulously
depicted in their cradles. The deck detail on this fine model include
wooden ship's rails; ladders; deck houses with windows, doors and
decorative carving; portholes; the "Charlie Noble"; kedge anchor and
anchor davit; capstan; ship's foc'sle bell; hatches; bits; catwalk
with railing, steering gear box with wheel; binnacle; port and
starboard running lamps; and even deck scuppers! In short, the maker
of this model knew every inch of his ship and was determined to get
it right no matter how much effort it took!! All the more remarkable
is the fact that this beautifully rigged vessel is depicted with a
full compliment of carved wooden sails elegantly
sculpted in a billowy and realistic manner. To have depicted it with
paper or cloth sails would have been a chore enough -- but in
wood?! This simply incredible model is housed within
its original hand-made wooden case with its original old wavy glass
measuring 32 3/4 inches long, 17 1/4 inches high and 9 3/4 inches
wide. The model itself measures 24 inches long and 14 inches high. It
plies a realistically formed blue putty "sea" with curling waves and
painted white caps. This model flies a colorful house flag, large
name pennant and the American ensign aft. This is without a doubt the
nicest sailor-made model we have ever seen. Outstanding, untouched,
original condition. A joy to behold! Retail $4500.
3500
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Provenance: San Francisco Bay area estate.
The handsome square
rigger ALBERT was launched by the Hall Brothers Shipbuilding
Yard, Port Ludlow, Washington in 1890. She was of bark rig with a
length of 182 feet and displaced 682 tons. Home ported in San
Francisco, she plied the West coast trade until being wrecked near
Point Reyes, California on April 2, 1919.
The 3 flags on this model corroborate its
dating and origin. The house flag "P" for Port Ludlow, the name
pennant "A" for Albert, and the 40 star American flag which only
existed for a few months during the year 1890.
The provenance of this model is also
consistent with its home port and the locale of its ultimate demise
-- the rugged outcropping on the Marin coast known as Point Reyes,
just north of San Francisco.
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2.67 DETAILED STEAM/SAIL SHIP MODEL.
Really superb scratch-built and dated American model of
a steam/sail brig from the 19th century. This period model is
entirely hand made with precision detail and near scale rigging. The
laminated wooden hull is beautifully sculpted and has a hollow
interior with keel, tween deck, and lead ballast. The wooden deck in
old mustard paint is scored to simulate planking. Details include
bowsprit with dolphin striker and chain stays; billet head; both
kedge anchors; rotating foc'sle capstan; fife rails; main deck hatch
with accommodation ladder; removable deck house with funnel; steam
whistle; "Charlie Noble"; 2 ventilators; 2 lifeboats; ship's bell;
deck ladder; doors; windows with glass; aft house with door and
glazed windows; functional helm; poop deck ladders; helm bell; poop
deck skylight and realistic brass eagle sternboard! But there is much
more! The deck house is signed on the bottom "Built 1876 to 1882."
Using extreme care it may be safely removed to reveal an internal
gearing system attached by a leather belt to an arbor running through
the port side bulwark. Engaging the arbor with a clock winding key
actually rotates the vessel's propeller! When the deck house is in
place, the funnel is secured by 4 removable guy wires. As mentioned,
the helm is functional and works as a real ship's steering station of
the period. The helm is fitted with a wooden spindle attached to the
steering gear. Turning the wheel to the left or right actuates the
rudder in the appropriate direction! If the realism of this
presentation were not enough, the entire model is mounted to a
beautifully constructed dockyard cradle complete with hull supports
making for a realistic stand. This exceptional model measures 40 1/2
inches long overall by 13 1/2 inches wide at the mains'l yard and 29
inches tall. Condition is nothing short of perfect. All
surfaces retain their original old paint. The fine, realistic rigging
appears to be original and is in a sound, outstanding state of
preservation. A nicer folk art model of its type is not to be found!
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2.19 DOCKYARD MODEL. Authentic
mid-19th C. cased shipyard builder's half hull model of the 3-masted
sailing ship VERBENA built by "Wm Pickersgill & Sons,
Sunderland," England as identified in hand-painted lettering below
the bow. This exceptional model exhibits all of the detail and
quality expected of an "owner's model" as built by the shipyard that
produced the actual ship. Fine, fancy original glazed hardwood case
measuring 85 inches long, 17 1/2 inches high and 9 inches deep
overall. The model itself measures 70 1/2 inches long from stern to
bowsprit. Circa 1856. Immaculate condition throughout. Certainly
worthy of the finest museum! ![]()
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"Lloyd's Register of Shipping" Volume 1871 lists the VERBENA as a wooden hull bark of 260 feet in length, displacing 466 tons net. She was built in Sunderland in 1856 and operated by J. Whitfield of Sunderland.
In a publication entitled "Sunderland Builds Ships," 1989, Tyne and Wear Archive Service, City of Sunderland, England, William Pickersgill is identified as one of the prominent Wearside (River Wear) shipbuilding firms from 1847-1936.
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2.03 FAMOUS BATTLESHIP MODEL with MUSEUM
PROVENANCE. Exhibition-quality model of the World War II
dreadnought USS CALIFORNIA (BB-44). This sailor-built model is
faithful to the original ship and was actually built on board during
one of the most famous Naval battles in history, the Battle of the
Surigao Straits on October 25, 1944! The large wooden stand bears the
engraved Bakelite plaque reading: "MODEL OF THE USS CALIFORNIA
Hull turrets and guns are of balsa wood, superstructures are of white
pine, gun shields and platforms are of bristol board. Model took 10
months to complete. This model has been through the battle of Surigao
Straights in the Philippines. It was there when Mac Arthur landed on
Leyte Island in the Philippines. Built by B. M. Mickschl CH
CARP. USN." The hull measures 38 inches long by 7 inches wide
and the model stands 10 1/2 inches high overall. The stout wooden
base measures 41 inches long by 8 3/4 inches wide. This model is in
an incredible state of original preservation considering it is so
detailed and 64 years old. A genuine piece of history!
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A well-known Museum has commissioned us to sell this model, because it is not in keeping with the Museum's collection objectives. For purposes of public anonymity we will not publish the Museum's name here. However I will provide the provenance to the successful buyer so that its valuable history will remain with this genuine museum model.
The USS CALIFORNIA (BB- 44) was a Tennessee-class battleship launched on November 20, 1919 by Mare Island Navy Yard, California and was commissioned on August 10, 1921, as flagship of Pacific Fleet -- a duty she retained until 1941. She took part in the Presidential reviews of 1927, 1930, and 1934 and was modernized in 1929-1930.
On "The Day of Infamy," December 7, 1941, she was moored at the southernmost berth of "Battleship Row" in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. At 0805 a bomb exploded below decks in an ammunition magazine killing 50 men and setting her afire. A second bomb ruptured her bow plates. Despite valiant efforts to keep her afloat, CALIFORNIA settled into the mud with only her superstructure above the surface. When the action ended, 98 of her crew were lost and 61 wounded. On March 26, 1942 she was refloated and departed under her own power for Puget Sound Navy Yard for major reconstruction.
Restored to her original glory, CALIFORNIA sailed from Bremerton on January 31, 1944 in time to provide shore bombardment for the invasion of the Marianas Islands. During the bitter fight for Saipan in June, she was conducting shore bombardment when struck by an enemy shore battery killing one man and injuring nine. Following Saipan, her heavy guns helped blast the way during the assaults on Guam and Tinian.
In September 1944 CALIFORNIA prepared for the invasion of the Philippines. During October and 20 November she played a key role in the Leyte operation, including participation in the last classic Naval battle ever fought between surface combatants, the Battle of Surigao Strait on October 20th. That momentous engagement resulted in the decimation of the Japanese fleet. On January 6, 1945 while providing shore bombardment at Lingayen Gulf she was hit by Kamikazes, killing 44 and wounding 155. Again she departed the front to effect Stateside repairs.
Returning to action at Okinawa in June 1945, CALIFORNIA remained until July 21st. Two days later she joined Task Force 95 to cover minesweeping operations in the China Sea. After the surrender of Japan in early August, CALIFORNIA sailed via Singapore, Colombo, and Capetown, to Philadelphia, with a fitting arrival on December 7th. She was placed in reserve on August 7, 1946 and ultimately sold for scrap in 1959.
CALIFORNIA received seven battle stars for World War II service. Today, the ship's bell rests in a memorial in Capital Park in Sacramento. A fitting tribute to a fine ship and her crew.
Length overall: 624' 6"
Beam: 114'(1943)
Mean Draft: 30' 5"
Displacement: 40,950 tons (1943)
Speed: 20 knots (1943)
Main guns: 12 14"/50 cal. (Mk 11), 4 triple turrets
Secondary: 10 x 5"/51 cal. mounted in sponsons
16 x 5"/38 cal. in 8 twin turrets (1945)
56 x 40mm Bofors in fourteen quad mounts
6 x 50 cal. heavy machine guns
80 x 20mm Oerlikons
2 x 21" Torpedoes
Complement: 57 officers, 1026 men
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2.62 CASED FOLK ART MODEL. Delightful
American sailor-made folk art model of a 2-masted schooner under
sail. This sculpted full hull wooden model is mounted into a
carved wooden azure sea. Attesting to its sailor authorship,
the model is realistically rigged with carved wooden sails
each of which is attached by means of eyelets or mast hoops as on a
real vessel! This painstaking approach to the rigging is very
uncharacteristic of a model with wooden sails! The attention to
detail is carried through with the portrayal of the standing rigging
and deck detail. The ship's boats, complete with oarlocks and crossed
wooden oars, are slung in davits on either side and two old fashioned
anchors hang from the bow. The deck houses have see-through windows
and open doors. Of particular note are the 14 crewmen on deck,
depicted in a charmingly naive fashion with colorful caps and
individual facial expressions. The vessel flies the American flag
from the main mast and is brightly painted, contrasting nicely with
the natural finished wooden decks, masts and booms. The model rests
in its original very substantial wooden case with old wavy glass. The
case retains its original old dark wooden finish with very desirable
"alligatored" surface and measures 17 3/4 inches long by 14 inches
high and 9 inches wide. Outstanding original condition in all
respects. A visually striking presentation which evokes real
joy! 995 ![]()
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2.99 CASED MODEL. Charming, really
nice sailor folk art model of the famous battleship U.S.S.
TEXAS as prominently engraved on the large brass name plate and
on both sides of the vessel's bow. This near scale, solid hull wooden
model is entirely hand made from wood and brass with many
intricate details not typically found on such models. For example all
of the lifelines are made of drilled brass rods. The gun barrels are
tapered and drilled brass. The scores of portholes depicted in the
hull are drilled and rimmed with brass. All of the other fittings and
the superstructure itself are either carved wood or hand-worked
brass! This model is in its original battleship gray paint with black
boot topping. The paint has alligatored with age and now exhibits a
great old surface. The wooden decks in natural finish have also
acquired a rich age patina. The ship itself measures 35 1/2 inches
long by 14 inches high and 6 1/2 inches wide at the widest. It is
mounted on its original solid mahogany display stand in original
black paint with cloth bottom and measures 38 inches long by 9 inches
wide. The stand is overlaid by the glazed oak case which measures 40
1/2 inches long by 16 1/2 inches high and 11 1/4 inches wide.
Excellent overall condition. ![]()
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The USS TEXAS (BB-35) was the second
battleship to bear the state's name and the second New York class
battleship to be built. Laid down on April 17, 1911 by the Newport
News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. in Virginia, she was launched on
May 18, 1912 and commissioned on March 12, 1914. She was one of only
a few capital ships to serve in both World Wars.
Immediately after her commissioning
TEXAS was dispatched by President Wilson to deal with a
conflict in Mexico. Finally, in December, she left Mexican waters to
join the Atlantic Fleet.
The use of unrestricted submarine warfare by
the Central Powers in the Atlantic dragged America into the war in
Europe in 1917. TEXAS served in the Grand Fleet by providing
convoy escorts to troopships as well as helping the British to
blockade the enemy in the North Sea.
Following overhaul in late 1918 TEXAS
resumed duty with the Atlantic Fleet. On March 9, 1919 she became the
first American ship to launch an airplane.
Early in 1925 TEXAS entered the
Norfolk Navy Yard for "modernization" to replace her cage masts with
a single tripod foremast and to upgrade her gunfire control
system.
In the intervening years leading up to World
War II TEXAS saw duty in the the Pacific and Atlantic
theaters, serving as the flagship of the entire United States Navy
Fleet.
Upon America's entry into World War II
TEXAS saw her first combat in "Operation Torch" during the
invasion of North Africa in 1942 by providing shore bombardment and
naval gunfire support.
Throughout 1943 and into 1944 the veteran
battleship carried out her familiar role as a convoy escort.
On the morning of June 6, 1944 TEXAS
provided shore bombardment prior to the D-Day assault on the coast of
Normandy, France.
On the morning of June 25 TEXAS, in
company with the Battleship ARKANSAS, began shelling shore
fortifications and batteries surrounding the German-held port of
Cherbourg. In the exchange TEXAS lost her navigation bridge
and the forward fire control tower with one man killed and several
wounded.
After undergoing temporary repairs in
Plymouth, England TEXAS again entered the fray, this time to
engage shore batteries in the pre-landing assault of St. Tropez,
France. That mission completed, she departed 2 days later for her
home port of New York.
Upon arrival TEXAS underwent a major
overhaul which included replacement of the barrels in her main
batteries.
TEXAS departed New York in November
1944 bound for the Pacific theater via the Panama Canal. She arrived
off of Iwo Jima on February 16, 1945 where she spent the next two
weeks in a gunfire support role during that infamous battle.
Next she steamed into Philippine waters where
she spent nearly 2 months providing gunfire support for various
Allied landings. During that time she endured many Kamikaze attacks,
recording one kill and three assists. TEXAS stayed in the
Philippines until the Japanese surrender on August 15th. She received
5 battle stars for her World War II service.
TEXAS was decommissioned on April
28,1948 as she was turned over to the state of Texas as a permanent
memorial. Today she remains in San Jacinto State Park, near
Houston.
The fact that this model depicts TEXAS with her post-1925 tripod mast, but with her side-mounted 5 inches guns (removed prior to 1930) clearly indicates that the model dates to 1925, certainly no later than 1930!
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2.96 MUSEUM MODEL. Genuine hand-made model of an early 20th century San Francisco Bay ferryboat operated by the Western Pacific Railroad, as identified on the bottom with pencil markings. This wonderfully detailed waterline model is constructed entirely of wood with hand-cut brass and steel fittings and dates to the 1950's. It comes from the prestigious collection of the DeYoung Museum of San Francisco, California and was recently sold by that institution to generate funds for expansion and improvements of their facility. The model itself measures a mere 4 1/2 inches long by 1 1/2 inches wide. With that, it exhibits superb detailing for a model of its size and type. It is signed on the bottom in pencil, "Wes. Pac. RR Co. Ferry, San Francisco." Excellent condition with the original old painted surface. 495
This exquisite little model is identifiable as the Western Pacific's premier ferryboat EDWARD T. JEFFERY built by Moore & Scott Iron Works, Oakland, California in 1913. She had a steel hull displacing 1578 tons and was 218 feet in length with a breadth of 42 feet and a 16 foot draft. About 1930 she was renamed FEATHER RIVER. Then in 1933 she was again renamed SIERRA NEVADA when ownership was transferred to the Southern Pacific Railroad.
We do not know the identity of the modeler who constructed this fine example, but he was in every sense a skilled professional!
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2.78 PRISONER OF WAR BONE SHIP MODEL.
Genuine and classic late 18th or very early 19th century P.O.W.
ship model as constructed by French prisoners in British prisons
during the Napoleonic Wars (1790-1810), fashioned entirely out of
beef bone and wood with copper fittings. This hand-made near-scale
ship model represents an especially sleek double decker of 48 guns.
True to the incredible detail for which these prisoner of war model
makers were renown, this example exhibits remarkable detail and
execution for its size. Of particular note is the carved bone
figurehead of a helmeted warrior holding a sword in his left hand.
Behind him the beak head of the ship is authentically carved and
detailed with exquisitely rigged standing rigging to the tops of the
foremast. Forward of the foremast is are a complex series of woven
shrouds. Working aft, dead eyes, standing rigging and ratlines to
each of the 3 masts are done so intricately as to defy imagination!
The masts and spars are all of equal quality and complexity.
Remarkably, the rigging and each of the lines which comprise it,
appear to be completely original! Deck detailing
includes anchors, anchor buoy, capstan, boats, belfry, hatch covers,
combing, ladders, fife rails, deck planking, gratings and more. The
bulwarks exhibit the brass cannon with most of the gun ports open,
but 4 closed for effect. The pinned and planked hull is nicely
executed. At the stern, the carved quarter galleries and stern
galleries are finely detailed. The model stands on its original
marquetry and painted wooden base supported upon two turned bone
pedestals. Throughout its construction this lovely model exhibits
hundreds of tiny copper pins used as fasteners. It measures 14 inches
long overall, 12 1/4 inches high and 6 inches wide. It is in an
incredible state of original preservation evidencing good age, but no
damage or repairs. Certainly one of the most important aspects of
collecting models from this era is to find an example with original
rigging. Here it is! ![]()
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The undisputed authoritative reference on such models is the hard cover book by Ewart C. Freeston entitled "Prisoner of War Ship Models 1775-1825," 1973, Conway Maritime Press, Ltd., London. An original copy of this marvelous book shall be included as part of this offering with our compliments.
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