A presentation model of the Hasborough/Happisburgh Lifeboat, Huddersfield 1888

This cased presentation half hull model is of the first winner of the America’s Cup, the schooner America. The copper coloured bottom is painted with black topsides and has a finely carved garland around the bow. There are two stump masts, a caprail and bowsprit. It is set on a mahogany backboard with a Bakelite name plaque engraved ‘Schooner Yacht ‘America’ Scale ¼ = 1 foot to W.G.J. from G.L.W’. A label identifies the case maker as ‘Lambert Picture Frame Manufacturer, 34 Albert Gate, Hyde Park, S.W.’ and another describes the model, including the fact that the case was added in 1903. It then explains the initials W.G.J. and G.L.W. ‘This model was presented by G.L.Watson to W.G.Jameson. George L.Watson was one of England’s leading yacht designers. He designed four America’s Cup Challengers which included: Thistle, Valkyrie, Valkyrie II and Shamrock II. He also designed the King’s Britannia, and the Kaiser’s Meteor. William G.Jameson was probably the most successful amateur helmsman in the U K in the 1880’s and the 1890’s. Jameson introduced Lord Dunraven to yacht racing in 1887. Dunraven was to build three challengers for the America’s Cup, all designed by G.L.Watson. Jameson in 1892 acted as an adviser to the Prince of Wales and introduced him to Watson who designed his Britannia. Jameson also advised Thomas Lipton in his Shamrock II challenge. Clearly, Watson and Jameson worked closely throughout their careers. Scottish, 1887. Provenance: 1887 George L. Watson presented this half hull to William G. Jamieson 1903 Unknown owner(s) thence The Glen Foster Collection 1999 Hyland Granby Antiques, Hyannis Port, Massachusetts 2002 The Kelton Collection of Maritime Art & Artifacts Probably the most famous racing yacht ever built, and the first winner of the America’s Cup, this schooner, designed by James and George Steers, was built by a syndicate of New York Yacht Club members to sail to England. The purpose of this visit was twofold: to show off U.S. shipbuilding skills and make money through competing in regattas. Only launched on 3rd May 1851, she had crossed the Atlantic and won the 53-mile race around the Isle of Wight by 22nd August that same year. America was captained by Richard Brown, who was a skilled member of the Sandy Hook Pilots group, renowned worldwide for their expertise and speed in manoeuvering schooner-rigged pilot boats...

A George III shaped circular silver salver, plain within a shell and scrolling wave border and outer gadrooned edge, engraved with the royal coat of arms, crest and motto (period 1714-1800) of King George III and, on the reverse with a presentation inscription: For the Launching of His Majestys sloop ‘Otter’ 14 Gunns 305 Tonns 26 October 1767 & His Majestys ship ‘Egmont’ 74 Gunns 1643 Tonns 29 August 1768 by Mr Adam Hayes Master Shipwright of his Majestys yard at Deptford; further monogrammed A*H P A*M. Hallmarked for Benjamin Cartwright, London, 1769 Adam Hayes (1710-1785) began his career as ship’s carpenter in Centurion during Commodore Anson’s famous voyage around the world...

Sir Harold Dudley Clayton’s Hydraulic Steam Lifeboat: City of Glasgow, 1894. This fine builder’s presentation scale model has a gilt brass funnel, polished brass rudder, capstan, anchor, binnacle and fittings with side grab ropes. The hull is painted in RNLI blue and red, with a pink keel. It is raised on a turned brass support within an ebonised glazed case on a stand and has a presentation plaque inscribed ‘Hydraulic Steam Lifeboat City of Glasgow’ Built For the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, by R & H Green, Blackwall Yard, London, 1894′. Provenance: Sir Harold Dudley Clayton. The following pages are dedicated to the substantial and fascinating archive of Sir Harold Dudley Clayton. This includes the lifeboat model above, over 100 yacht designs and naval architects’ drawings, photograph albums, photographic glass slides and a model of his yacht Coquette. Steam-powered lifeboats. Earlier in the 19th century steam had transformed Britain’s industrial landscape through the development of steamships and the railways. But tending a coal-fired boiler in a boat that is pitching and rolling in heavy seas would not have been straightforward. Sixty years after the idea was first mooted by Sir William Hillary and after extensive trials, the first steam-cum-sail boat Duke of Northumberland went into service at Harwich Lifeboat Station in September 1890. The hydraulic steam-driven lifeboat used...

Finely detailed shipbuilder's half block model of the steamship Dunbrody, built and engined by The London and Glasgow Engineering and Iron Shipbuilding Co. ...

Large antique print of the presentation of Mary. Published by Mosella-Verlag, 1913. This print originates from a series titled 'Kathol. Schulbibelwerk von Dr. Ecker'.

19th Century Presentation Half Hull Model of a Whale Ship, circa 1850, a large plank on frame model of a bluff-bowed and wide abeam whale ship. The model wa...

AUTHOR: POTTER, Beatrix. TITLE: The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse. PUBLISHER: London: Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd, [after 1918], DESCRIPTION: PRESENTATION COPY LATER EDITION. 1 vol., inscribed on the half-title by the author 'To Elizabeth Todhunter from Beatrix Potter...

A Handbook of the American Wing: Opening Exhibition by R.T.H. Halsey, and Charles O. Cornelius (Assistant Curator in the Department of Decorative Arts.) New York: Metropolitan Museum...