A big boat prob (16ft x 9ft)….

[funsterParticipant @funster]

Hi all, a dear friend of mine had entrusted me to look after his model boat for him whilst various changes were going on in his life before returning it to him – however sadly this now won’t happen as he’s terminally ill. As such I’ve been asked by his wife to find a way of re-homing the model boat in question, which sounds easy until you consider what it is –

 

Almost 200 years old (1830)

16ft long

9ft high

6ft beam

Perfect rigging

 

Whilst finding the boat fascinating I have to admit my knowledge on model boats is next to nill, so was hoping that maybe someone out there maybe able to help. I’ve added some pictures for general interest – it really is a beast!

 

 

Edited By funster on 28/11/2011 11:32:29

[funsterParticipant @funster]

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

What a beautiful ship…..sadly most modellers wouldn’t be able to house her, as she is purely a static waterline model.

I hope you don’t mind me suggesting, but bearing in mind I don’t know the area in which the boat is, could you not find and approach the nearest maritime museum to both yourself and the family that might find a home for it as a permenant memorial to your friend……..I’m sure that such a model should be where it would be apriciated by many, and as such your friend would be remembered also by many.

good luck to you all, and best wishes at this time.

neil.

[funsterParticipant @funster]

Hi Neil, totally appreciate what you’re saying, certainly re the size. We’re based in Southampton so there’s quite a few maritime based organisations, including Old Portsmouth who apparently have this boats 30ft ‘sister’. I think the family are in two minds a) trying to re-coup some of the money they bought it for, and b) yes, leaving it to a good home. A lot of interest was originally generated by Sea Scouts etc, but once they appreciated the size they had to put the white flags and admit it was bigger than their respective clubs could handle!

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

If you put it into one of the specialist maritime sales it will probably fetch a good price and go to a good home although it is likely to be a private one.

 

If it does go to a Museum there is no guarantee it will be kept on display as most museums only have space to show a fraction of their collections and the bigger the model, the harder it is to find display space for it (It would need to be kept under glass of course)

 

So, on balance, unless it can go to an organisation who can adequately house it where people can see it it might be best to just sell it. One of our Forum members, Robert Wilson, regularly enters his work into the specialist salerooms and may be able to advise you further on that. However, before you take any action it may be worth seeking the opinion of Richard Noyce, Curator at the Royal Naval Museum if you have not already been in touch with them just to see if it has any national significance.

 

Colin

Edited By Colin Bishop, Website Editor on 28/11/2011 18:09:10

[funsterParticipant @funster]

Thanks Colin. Like I say, it’s kinda landed on my shoulders so haven’t gone through any ‘provenance’ channels. Certainly I know the family wouldn’t want it ending up in a back room somewhere if it can be helped. I’ll Google some specialist sale rooms and also see if I can find Richard on here, he seems like a good person to talk to.

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

I think your best chance would be a maritime auction room. Maybe http://www.charlesmillerltd.com (In London) or Bonhams (Also London) who have two sales a year.

 

But the problems would be transport costs. Also a “marketting” fee of £50 per lot. Then, if it doesn’t sell, the costs of getting it back again.

 

Final tip. Don’t call it a “boat” when contacting experts, that will only reveal that you don’t know a great deal about maritime affairs and they may try and take advantage. I am not saying this in a nasty sort of way, but it is a “ship” and definately not a “boat!” I know I am often regarded as being a bit of a troll on this sort of thing, but using the correct terminology is very simple and may help to sell it!

 

If it had a name would help, but I assume that if it had, you would have seen it and told us.

 

Bob

[funsterParticipant @funster]

Thanks for all of the useful info. I believe it was HMS Vanguard – the family have much more info/details on it, but it’s not the right time to ask. I contacted Charles Miller following a Google search last night so it will be interesting to see what they say. I’m enjoying doing the research at the moment – I never realised what a massive world model boats was!

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

you might also want to contact the owner/administrater of this site…..Martin. he is always very helpfull in such matters………… http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php

 

His email address is [email protected] he can also advise and possibly put your request for help on the site. However , normally you would need to post at least 25 postings to be able to advertise a model for sale, but in certain circumstances, Martin will waiver this as basis.

neil.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I rather think this would be out of the Mayhem league Neil!

 

Colin

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

If this had been an un-named ship, it would have only had a fraction of the value of the VANGUARD. If it is an accurate model of HMS VANGUARD (Nelson’s flagship at the battle of the Nile), it may be extremely valuable!

 

I know virtually nothing about Napoleonic warships, so can’t comment on whether it is accurate or not, but I do know it was famous!

 

But I cannot stress too strongly that it should never ever be referred to as a “boat.” That will only give buyers “in the know” the impression that you have little knowledge on the subject. There never was any such thing as a “100-gun boat of the line!” or even a “Flagboat!” When approaching prospective buyers, always give the name. The name is extremely important, especially if it is of such a famous vessel as HMS VANGUARD!

 

Please let us know how you get on with this. All too often, there is never an end to a story like this!

 

Bob

 

[Andy HustlerParticipant @andyhustler32076]

That is an amazing model ship and must have been a true labour of love esp with all that rigging . It would be nice to know who built it and why ? Would it have been some sort of training aid for young officers ? Or a model to show what the finished product would look like to show to the admiralty ? Who knows .

Good luck on the sale of this magnificent work of art .

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