The Kriegstein Collection

[Mark P]

Back in February, I made an advance order for a forthcoming volume about the Kriegstein Collection of 17th & 18th century ship models, to be published by Seaforth Books. After several postponements this was finally published at the end of September. There have been two previous books published by Seawatch Books on this subject, both of which were highly informative and desirable works. Owners of these books will have some idea of the quality of both the Collection, and the photographs of it; but this latest offering is larger, has many more pages, and gives greater details of other areas of the collection than has been the case with either of the preceding volumes.

 

The Kriegstein Collection is the largest collection of contemporary 17-18th century models in private hands, and consists almost entirely of museum-quality examples, superbly made and decorated. Each model is photographed many times, and is well-described, with a history of the model, its acquisition by them, and reasons for its stated identification, where known. The two brothers Kriegstein, who along with their supportive father, are the owners of this beautiful collection, take their role as guardians of such valuable heritage very seriously. Their admiration for the models, and for the craftsmen who made them so long ago, is clear to any reader; as is their mission to preserve them, and to make as much information as possible about them available to interested parties. The collection also contains many valuable and beautiful artworks by top-drawer maritime artists, such as the Van de Veldes, as well as some very interesting ancillary items; and a good number of prisoner-of-war models from the Napoleonic era. 

 

The photgraphs throughout are in full colour, and are of a good size, with many close-up details of each model.

 

The book's overall size is 293 x 285 x 30mm (11 1/2 x 11 1/4 x 1 3/16 inches. It has 288 pages, including notes and an index. The recommended price is £50.

 

The first 14 chapters are about models of English warships; there follow two on French models, and then a model of the American ship 'Franklin' of ca 1800. Three sectional models of bomb vessels follow, then six models of various ships' boats, including several with detailed figures of the crew on board. One of these is a troop transport, for landing soldiers from ships, and has no less than 16 oarsmen, a naval officer, 38 redcoats, a sergeant and two musicians, all with their uniforms painted in detail. There follows a Dutch state yacht of ca 1690, a model carving of the figurehead for Royal Caroline, and another for the Queen Charlotte of ca 1784. A model of the Victory's foremast with battle damage as received in 1805 is next, then two chapters on the various artworks in the Collection. Prisoner of war models follow these, and the book finishes by covering 'Care and Conservation', and 'Fakes and Forgeries'. Their latest acquisition, a previously unknown late 17th century model of an English ship, is covered in an appendix. This model is still in France, and is awaiting an export licence. It is very interesting in that it shows how much some models have been altered by owners during their long lives, acquiring extensive additions which are completely anachronistic, and obscure the original model to a remarkable degree. If previous models are any indication, this model, once safely in the brothers' hands, will be lovingly and carefully restored to as close to its original appearance as can be achieved; as its new owners have both the drive and the resources to see this accomplished. 

 

This is a beautiful book, and I thoroughly recommend it to any member with more than a passing interest in models of this period. 

 

All the best,

 

Mark P

 

 

 

 

[Blue Ensign]

My copy arrived earlier this week, and I agree with your comments Mark.

A lot of book for the money, and well worth the wait.

 

I can see where Chuck got a lot of his inspiration from for his Royal barge and Longboat models There is a great section on Barges.

 

B.E.

[druxey]

Still awaiting my copy....

[Jorge Diaz O]

Hello, thanks for sharing this, I did not know the library and it also has other interesting books. I hope to buy a copy soon.

[Mark P]

Good Morning Druxey and Jorge;

 

As BE says above, it is well worth the wait. It's big and heavy, the postman/mailman would not want to carry many of them.

 

All the best,

 

Mark P

[tlevine]

If anyone has the original Sea Watch version and this new version from Pen and Sword, I would be interested in knowing the difference between the two.  I already own the Sea Watch version.  

[Mark P]

Good Evening Toni;

 

I have the first Sea Watch volume (the second was similar size, with a couple more models, I believe) and the differences are notable. The new book is larger and with at least double the number of pages. As there are pictures on every page, there must be a lot more pictures than the earlier volumes have, although I have no intention of counting them. I don't think that the number of large 'Admiralty' and 'Georgian' models covered is much greater, although there are certainly some new ones; but rather that the artwork and additional items are much greater, as also is the section on small boats and prisoner-of-war models.

 

All the best,

 

Mark P

 

 

[Roger Pellett]

I too have Volume 1 that both of the brothers signed at the 2010 NRG Conference at Annapolis.

 

Before spending money on the new book ai would like to know if it is an entirely new book, or an expanded version of Volume 1.

 

Roger

[tlevine]

Thanks for the information, Mark.  Just pulled the trigger.  For those of you on this side of the pond, you can buy it through Amazon.

[dvm27]

Having pre-ordered my book months ago I just received notice that is was shipped but with the Brexit problems it will take several months to arrive.  Of course I could have had the same book in two days from Amazon if I had waited. As they both come from the exact same publishing house it's stupefying how different the delivery times are. It must be wonderful to be Amazon! 

Edited October 21, 2021 by dvm27

[AnobiumPunctatum]

I didn't Preorder the book for that reason. Last week I got my copy from Amazon without any problems and I don't need to think about tax I have to pay if I order the book in the UK.

 

It's a wonderful book and makes a lot of pleasure to read.

[bartley]

1 hour ago, AnobiumPunctatum said:

I didn't Preorder the book for that reason. Last week I got my copy from Amazon without any problems and I don't need to think about tax I have to pay if I order the book in the UK.

 

It's a wonderful book and makes a lot of pleasure to read.

It is good that you are able to deal with them.  WE have a problem in Australia with Amazon , Google and Facebook.  They refuse to pay our income tax for business they do here and will not pay our media companies for the news that they use.  So most of us use alternatives which in the case of Amazon are not so extensive.

 

John

[allanyed]

I was looking forward to everyone's reviews, but could not wait so I just ordered a copy on Amazon and it gives a delivery for Monday.   Glad Jeff B. did his thing back in '94.  Sure saved me a lot of gasoline not having to make so many trips to stores!   I know he has his detractors but I wish I had been  smart enough to think up the concept and take the plunge to start a business in my garage like he did.   

Allan

Edited October 21, 2021 by allanyed

[Jaager]

I wish I had waited for Amazon.  I ordered from Pen and Sword got a conformation, but nothing since.  I also ordered a book that will be released at the end of the month (Anson's Navy).  Perhaps they are going to send as one shipment.  But otherwise crickets.

[Phil Babb]

Hi Mark, I have there first book, superb collection, is there any photos of a capstan on two decks in a small glass case in their latest book. Regards Phil

[Thistle17]

I received the book via Amazon in 2 days! It is a superb volume!

Joe

[allanyed]

When I ordered the book on Thursday Amazon  claimed delivery would be tomorrow, Monday.   It was not as they claimed!!! Darn!!! (The book showed up a day early and now my day is shot as I dig into the book. )   Happy happy

Allan

[druxey]

How disappointing, I'm sure. Allan? Allan? No, he's gone now.

[allanyed]

 

Allan

[Mark P]

Reply for Phil in post 15 above:

 

No capstan model appears in the book.

 

All the best,

 

Mark 

[Jaager]

Yesterday, the book landed here from Pen and Sword.   The core of it is the  SeaWatch volume - old wine in new bottles.  The brothers do a pert fair job of photo documenting their models in this version.

[allanyed]

Is the book good?  Yes I think it is pretty good.  Would I recommend it?  Probably not to anyone that is not very interested in research and is a scratch builder.     Fantastic models to be sure and I am sure I will be checking them out many times in the future  as questions arise, but I would rather spend a day or two at Preble Hall or a museum with a similar collection and take several hundred more photos.    I reference my current collection of photos from Preble Hall a lot and wish I was closer so I could visit again and take several hundred more photos.   The write ups in the Kriegstein collections on each model are interesting, but I would rather have seen four or five more close up photos than learning about their provenance and such.   Just my opinion but I think Franklin's book is much more useful to ship modelers.  

 

Allan

Edited October 30, 2021 by allanyed