Brian Wortman Posted November 30, 2020 Share #1 Posted November 30, 2020 Hello, I'm hoping to get help identifying this ship and more info about it. My Father received this as a gift in the 1960's from the Grandmother of a German girl he was dating while stationed there. My Father passed away 2 yrs ago and I would very much like any info possible as to how old it might be, model name, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PietFriet Posted November 30, 2020 Share #2 Posted November 30, 2020 The last picture shows the coat of Hamburg, but that's as far as I get. mtaylor 1 Quote Bounty - Billing Boats Le Mirage - Corel Sultan Arab Dhow - Artesania Latina Royal Caroline - Panart (in progress) Yacht Admiralty Amsterdam - Scratch build (design completed, ready to start build)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted November 30, 2020 Share #3 Posted November 30, 2020 This model is an example of a decor model, and it was probably manufactured in Germany, as indicated by both your story and the Hamburg coat of arms (which should have the heads of both lions facing away from the shield). As such, it does not represent any particular ship, nor is it a good scale likeness of a type of ship. I'm not sure what is supposed to be indicated by the year 1541 on the foresail, as that is not the year the city was founded (it is far older), nor is that year indicated on the city's coat of arms. It also certainly does not indicate the year in which the depicted ship was built, as the model is obviously meant to portray a ship that is at least two centuries newer than the types that would have been seen in the Middle Ages. So, it is a fanciful ship, but with a good backstory. A lot of people pick this sort of model up at a yard sale or antique store and have no idea where or when it was built -- you are fortunate to know at least that much. catopower, Canute, druxey and 2 others 4 1 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Bf 109E-7/trop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce d Posted November 30, 2020 Share #4 Posted November 30, 2020 https://www.chairish.com/product/2443266/mid-20th-century-model-of-1541-german-hanseatic-league-warship mtaylor and Canute 2 Quote 🌻 STAY SAFE A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin current builds: HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted November 30, 2020 Share #5 Posted November 30, 2020 Interesting link, but even more interesting is the description: "Up for sale is a Mid 20th Century Model of 1541 German Hanseatic League Warship! When on top of the wood stand, it measures 32 1/2" tall, 40 3/4" wide, and 10 1/8" deep. The piece is in excellent overall condition with minor signs of wear consistent with its age and use. " Um ... no. This just goes to show that antiques dealers are not reliable sources of information on ship models. It most certainly is not a ship of 1541, and I'm not going to pay $950 for it unless I have a whole lot more information on its provenance besides just "Mid 20th Century Model." Like, a lot more. Also, notice the difference in the mizzen mast rigs on the two models. bruce d, mtaylor, druxey and 1 other 4 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Bf 109E-7/trop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted November 30, 2020 Share #6 Posted November 30, 2020 I went to that site, Bruce.... and this pops up at the bottom of the page: https://www.chairish.com/product/2178278/mid-century-luxury-liner-ship-model Let's not laugh too hard at the asking price. WalrusGuy, Canute, Keithbrad80 and 1 other 1 3 Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie da fly Posted November 30, 2020 Share #7 Posted November 30, 2020 Brian, in itself this model is not worth a whole lot of money, but its true value lies in its connection with your father and the memories you have of him. Brian Wortman, Canute, mtaylor and 2 others 4 1 Quote It's not really a ship model unless you've bled on it. CURRENT BUILDS Golden City - Ballarat paddlewheeler La Lomellina - Theoretical Reconstruction of a Genoese carrack sunk in 1516 FINISHED Venetian merchant Ship from Basilica of San Marco Australian couta boat RMS Titanic HMVS Cerberus 11th century Byzantine dromon Winchelsea Nef - Late 13th century Mediaeval ship Henry Grace a Dieu - Rebuild of 1:200 model I started in 1967 Mistydeefer - restoration of decor model yacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druxey Posted November 30, 2020 Share #8 Posted November 30, 2020 Mark: that link does also offer the possibility "Make an offer". Canute and bruce d 1 1 Quote Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series http://trafalgar.tv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce d Posted November 30, 2020 Share #9 Posted November 30, 2020 So, Brian, as the original poster I hope this helps see the ship in the correct light. There are other sources online selling what appears to be the same item, all with unrealistic versions of their quality and value. I can only assume that your family-owned piece was new at some time around the middle of the 20th century and the fact that these dealers are offering models with so much in common proves that they were mass-produced. Brian, ignore the prices in the advertisements: the ship is worth whatever your family feels it is worth. It is a decorative piece that celebrates Hanseatic Hamburg and may give a nod to some particular ship in an old print but it is not a true representation of an actual ship. Please also ignore the amusement we expressed at seeing how 'antique' dealers choose to describe these pieces as fabulous achievements in modelmaking and valuable. Actually, I kinda like it. Brian Wortman, Keithbrad80, mtaylor and 1 other 3 1 Quote 🌻 STAY SAFE A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin current builds: HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithbrad80 Posted December 1, 2020 Share #10 Posted December 1, 2020 I’m on board with everyone else here about the value of this model, I will say though that i think this model is kind of cool still, It has some historic value to your family. On a different note, do people buy the things on this website? I saw a half hull of “a nautical vessel” for almost 7 grand, thats crazy money to spend on a half hull of a ship that doesn’t exist by someone who isn’t known? I found another of a Swedish model (a named ship but still) of a “luxury liner” that they want 18,500 USD for! Could i sell my models for that much lol bruce d and mtaylor 2 Quote Current Builds: Flying Fish - Model Shipways - 1:96 Future Builds: Young America 1853 - Scratch Build - 1:72 Completed Builds: HMS Racehorse - Mantua - 1:47 (No pictures unfortunately) Providence Whale Boat - Artesania Latina - 1:25 (Also no pictures) Lowell Grand Banks Dory - Model Shipways - 1:24 Shelved Builds: Pride of Baltimore 2 - Model Shipways - 1:64 (Also no pictures) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.