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A COMPOUND MONOCULAR MICROSCOPE BY M. PILLISHER, LONDON, 19TH-CENTURY
signed on bedplate as per title and numbered 423, the eyepiece with micrometer slide, revolving two-power eyepiece, adjustable stage, and concave/convex mirror - 17½in. (44.5cm.) high; contained within later glass dome
(2)
£150-250
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A GOOD MONOCULAR COMPOUND MICROSCOPE BY W.J. SALMON, LONDON, CIRCA 1855
the lacquered brass frame signed on the back W.J. Salmon, 100 Fenchurch Street, London, 8½in. main tube, rack and pinion adjustment, mechanical platform, double mirror, secured to sliding wooden base within case, the case containing a bull's eye condensing lens to rear, and lower draw with accessories including five eyepieces, live box, platform light adjusters, platform pincer etc.; together with two sales brochures for "Davon Patent" microscopes, issued by S. Davidson & Co. - 14¼ x 8¾ x 9¼in. (35.5 x 21 x 22.5cm.)
(3)
£600-800
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A LACQUERED BRASS BINOCULAR MICROSCOPE BY NEGRETTI & ZAMBRA, LONDON, CIRCA 1890
signed on the bed-plate as per title, and contained in original box with accessories, including three nosepieces, eyepieces, bull's eye lens, live box, platform tweezers, etc., and a drawer of 19 professionally prepared slide samples, mainly of insect origin - 16¼ x 8¼in. (41 x 22cm.) overall
£400-600
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A MICROSCOPE OIL LAMP BY WATSON & SON, LONDON, CIRCA 1900
constructed in lacquered brass and signed around the foot as per title and inscribed 313 High Holborn, glass reservoir with stopper, blue glass chimney and ceramic hood, mounted on adjustable shaft and contained within original box - 12in. (30.5cm.) high
£100-150
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A COLLECTION OF MICROSCOPE SLIDES, MOSTLY 19TH-CENTURY
approx. 250 mixed slides, prepared by assorted professional makers and amateur hands, covering lepidoptery, botanics and medical, etc. including the feline embryo, contained in a small chest and two matched boxes - chest 9½ x 8½in. (24 x 21cm.)
(3)
£600-800
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MICROSCOPE SLIDES PREPARED BY J. TEMPÈRE, ARCACHON, 19TH-CENTURY
comprising 70 slides of mainly tissue samples, and including three foetuses and several full size insects, each slide with handwritten description and maker's label, contained within five fitted card boxes with cockleshell securing catches - each 13½ x 8½in. (34 x 21.5cm.)
£600-800
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A 19TH-CENTURY SET OF 'SEED SOURCE INDICATOR' MICROSCOPE SLIDES
comprising 25 slides, each with four numbered samples, contained within fitted wooden case, the sliding lid with outer label inscribed The Origin of Seeds Source Indicators, the reverse with full manuscript listing for 100 samples, divided into seven sections covering South Europe, West Europe, Great Britain, Northern France, Holland, North America, Australia, Asiatic Provinces, East Europe, Russia, Hungary and South America - 14½ x 7in. (37 x 18cm.)
£150-250
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A LATE 19TH-CENTURY LACQUERED BRASS SPECTROMETER BY TOWNSON & MERCER, LONDON
signed on the top of one tube as per title, of typical form with two 1in. telescopes of 12in. flanking prism, bed-plate with silvered scale and vernier, secured to sliding wooden base, with fitted box - 14¼in. (38cm.) high
£300-500
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Ø A RARE PAIR OF COMBINATION OPERA/QUIZZING GLASSES, FRENCH CIRCA 1840
constructing in tortoiseshell and gilt brass marked 12 Verres Breveté and with [?] maker's marked J.M. over a pair of pince nez, both the opera glasses and quizzing glasses sprung hinged between tortoiseshell plates with blank cartouche, contained in card box of issue - 5in. (12.5cm.) high
£400-600
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A RECORDING AND INDICATING BAROGRAPH BY WEIR & SONS, BELFAST & DUBLIN, CIRCA 1910
the drum with 8-day clockwork motor, eight atmosphere pressure drum with reciprocal dial weather indicator signed along lower edge as per title, bevelled glass cover on display base with twin compartment chart drawer under - 8¼ x 14½in. (21 x 36cm.)
£250-350
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AN ANEROID BAROGRAPH BY SHORT & MASON LTD, LONDON, CIRCA 1910
signed on an ivorine plate as per title, lacquered brass fittings, stamped on cross bar Pat. No. 22556., clockwork motor in recorder drum, aneroid mechanism in base, cased in oak with glazed cover - 7½ x 12½ x 6½in. (19 x 32 x 16.5cm.)
This method of hiding the mechanism in the base was patented in 1904.
£250-350
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A GROUP OF INSTRUMENTS
comprising a pocket aneroid barometer signed F. Cooke & Sons, London, in fitted leather case, the lid with compass and curved bar thermometer inside; a pocket barometer by R. & J. Beck, in leather case; a pocket barometer by Pillischer, in shaped leather case; a drum sextant by Stanley, London, in lacquered brass case; a bearing compass by Negretti & Zambra, in lacquered brass case, and a small compass sundial, unsigned, in turned lignum vitæ case
(6)
£400-600
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A FINE DOMESTIC VACUUM PUMP DEMONSTRATION SET AND ACCESSORIES BY E.G. WOOD, LONDON, CIRCA 1830
constructed in polished mahogany and lacquered brass, with inset bone maker's plate signed and inscribed E G WOOD 74 LATE OF 117 CHEAPSIDE LONDON, contained within fitted box of issue, complete with novelties and accessories including carved human head of hair, magnetic, static and electric experiments, contained within fitted compartments, the lid with maker's label, painted exterior and carry handles - approx. 14in. (35.5cm.) square
£800-1200
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AN UNUSUAL DIDACTIC DEMONSTRATION PISTON AND GEAR, INVENTED BY GEORGE DIXON AND MADE BY W. THOMAS, 1853
comprising an arrangement of cog wheels, the largest signed and inscribed Geo. S. Dixon Invt. 1855 / W. Thomas, fecit, 1854, the top wheel driven by rear mounted bone handle crank acting on single piston shaft, mounted vertically on a square wooden post on stepped base - 22in. (56cm.) high
£200-400
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A FINE DOMESTIC MEDICINE CHEST BY COX, LONDON, CIRCA 1830
with full set of graduated glass stoppered bottles contained in fitted top compartment, plush-lined lid with inset label inscribed From Apothecaries Hall London; together with Cox's Companion to the Family Medicine Chest published 1833, the lower drawer apparently complete with accessories including glass pestle and mortar, medicine measure, pill jars, scales with weights, zinc boxes with hinged lids etc., all contained within brass bound wooden cabinet - 9 x 11 x 9in. (23 x 28 x 20cm.)
£800-1200
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A WOODEN STEEL TREPAN DRILL, CIRCA 1760
the square shank with shaped handle and wooden grip - 9¾in. (25cm.) high
£150-250
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A PARTIALLY COMPLETE ELECTROSTATIC MACHINE BY GEORGE ADAMS I, CIRCA 1770
with hand-cranked glass drum mounted on wooden base with glass insulating posts and ivory maker's label inscribed G. ADAMS / FLEET St. / LONDON - 17½ x 20½ x 15in. (44.5 x 52 x 38cm.)
£150-250
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AN ACETOMETER SET BY JOHN & PHILIP TAYLOR, LONDON, CIRCA 1818
with componants including powder flask, bone spatular, mercury ballast, etc. contained in fitted box with maker's plate to lid inscribed No. 128 Revenue Acetometer J. & P. Taylor London, with instructions in lid inscribed Use of the Slide Rule / For Converting Gallons of Acetic Acid of any Strength into Gallons of Proof Acid..., and instruction booklet, - 11in. (28cm.) wide; together with a collection of medical instruments comprising: plated syringe by Evans & Co.; a tonsillectomy instrument; a glass syringe in metal case; a multi-hygiene tool; a domestic thermometer by Dollond, a glass thermometer with paper label, in case; a flask and stopper in threaded treen case, and a medicine cup in treen case
(9)
£150-250
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THREE MAHOGANY AND BRASS GALVINOMETERS, ENGLISH LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH-CENTURY
comprising examples by Griffin, London; Philip Harris Ltd, Birmingham and one unsigned - largest approx. 9in. (23cm.) high
(3)
£200-400
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Ø AN EARLY 19TH-CENTURY POCKET DRAWING SET
unsigned, of typical form, with instruments including dividers, compass, brass protractor, parallel rule, square etc., in fitted shagreen covered pocket case - 7in. (17.8cm.) high; together with three cased proportional dividers; and an ivorine sector by Gardner & Co., Glasgow
(5)
£250-350
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A COLLECTION OF RULES, ENGLISH 19TH-CENTURY
comprising roll rules including ebony example Chas. Gaupp & Co. Hong Kong, contained in box with sliding lid; ebony with ivorine edging example Elliott Bros. 449 Strand London; ebony example by W. Elliott, 268 High Holborn, London; two parallel rules, unsigned, one inscribed Field's Improved; two boxwood rules, the first signed Jones, late Wellington, Crown Court, Soho, the other unsigned
(7)
£100-150
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A 6½IN. BRASS SECTOR BY JEAN CHOIZY, PARIS, CIRCA 1660
divided and inscribed over both sides, signed Choizy AParis and hinged at centre - 6¾in. (17cm.) closed
Jean Choizy or Choisy worked from several address in Paris from 1649 until his death in 1682.
£400-600
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A 14½IN. PANTOGRAPH BY WILLIAM HARRIS, LONDON, CIRCA 1805
of typical form and constructing in lacquered brass, signed on one arm Harris, 47 Holborn, and contained in original wooden box with accessories, maker's label in lid and a rare set of instructions - 15½in. (39cm.) wide; together with a circular protractor by Abraham, Liverpool; and a folding arm protractor by Doublet, 6 Moorgate St, London
(3)
£150-250
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AN EBONY CROSS STAFF SECTION, POSSIBLY BY HENDRIK DONCKER, AMSTERDAM, 1678
stamped on the side 1: HD 1678 with maker's device, remnant scales remaining for 90°, 60° and 30° - 13¼in. (33cm.) long
Two other examples of cross staffs by Doncker are contained in the Scheepvaartmuseum, Amsterdam dated for 1682 and 1698. In his book The Cross Staff Willem Mörzer Bruyns states that Doncker specialised in cross staffs and sold from the 1655 onwards
£300-500
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A FINE 19TH-CENTURY OTTOMAN TURKISH, ISLAMIC WOODEN ASTROLABIC QUADRANT
with markings in red and black, gilt decoration, red-painted edges, divided horizon with gilt decorations every 5°, diagram of unequal hours to top right corner, two manuscript cartouches, the reverse with a gilt-decorated sexagesimal trigonometric grid - 7in. (17.5cm.) maximum radius
£1000-1500
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Ø AN EARLY 19TH-CENTURY 9½IN. RADUIS VERNIER OCTANT BY SPENCER & CO. LONDON
inset scale divided to 100, braced brass index arm, sighting tube, six shades, two mirrors, pencil cap, contained within a fitted keystone case - 13in. (33cm.) high
£300-500
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Ø A 7½IN. RADUIS VERNIER SEXTANT BY HARRIS & CO. LONDON, CIRCA 1840
signed on the arc as per title, with brass tulip pattern frame, inset scale divided 135°, vernier with magnifier, braced arm, sighting tube, shades and mirrors, containing in original fitted keystone box with retailer's label for B.R. Cousens Swansea - 10in. (25.5cm.) wide
£300-500
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Ø AN EARLY 19TH-CENTURY EBONY AND BRASS 10IN. VERNIER OCTANT BY MATTHEW BERGE, LONDON
the arc with inset ivory scale divided to 90°, signed to the right BERGE LONDON, fouled anchor division engine mark at 45°, stamped JR, brass index arm, pinhole sights, three shades, two mirrors, pencil cap and note plate to reverse, contained in original keystone box - 13in. (33cm.) wide
£400-600
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Ø AN 11¼IN. RADIUS VERNIER OCTANT BY CARY, LONDON, WITH DOLLOND-TYPE BACK-GLASS ADJUSTMENT, CIRCA 1800
the scale divided to 100°, signed on the cross bar as per title, pin-hole sights with swivelling shade and back-glass adjusting lever behind, three shades, mirrors and pin feet, contained within stepped keystone case with shaped escutcheon - 14½ x 13in. (37 x 33cm.)
The reverse glass adjustment is not commonly seen. A similar but earlier version can been seen in the collection of the Royal Museums, Greenwich, numbered NAV1356.
£400-600
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Ø A 15½IN. RADIUS MAHOGANY AND BOXWOOD FIDUCIAL OCTANT BY GREGORY LONDON, CIRCA 1765
signed on inset plate London Gregory, the boxwood arc divided to 90°, index arm with bone reading edge, pin hole sights, three removable shades and mirrors, the reverse with brass feet - 18 x 15in. overall
£1500-2000
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A LATE 18TH-CENTURY 11½IN. RADIUS SEXTANT BY DOLLOND, LONDON
with diamond-pattern oxidised brass frame, polished arc divided to 130°, signed on the index arm Dollond London, magnifier with shade ring, index mirror with Maskylene's flap accessory, sighting tube, shades, rosewood handle and brass pin feet - 13 x 15in. (33 x 38cm.) overall
£600-800
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A FINE 5IN. RADIUS VERNIER REFLECTING CIRCLE BY EDWARD TROUGHTON, LONDON, CIRCA 1820
the 10¾in. diameter lacquered brass lattice frame signed and numbered on the index arms Troughton London 210, inset silvered scale, vernier magnifier with light diffuser, wooden handles with threaded holes for mounting, removable bulbous handle, six shades, two mirrors, contained within original fitted box of issue with accessories including four sighting tubes and two eyepiece shades - 7 x 11½in. (17.8 x 29cm.)
£2000-3000
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A 5IN. RADIUS VERNIER SEXTANT BY ELLIOTT BROS. LONDON, CIRCA 1850
the lacquered brass ladder frame signed on the arc as per title, with inset silvered scale divided to 150°, Vernier with magnifier, adjustable sighting tube mount, seven shades, two mirrors, mounted on black painted section, ebony handle with mounting hole, pin feet, contained within fitted keystone box of issue with accessories including trade label annotated to 449 Strand, the lid with brass mounting slot at apex, and mounting pillar escutcheon - 7¼ x 9in. (18.5 x 23cm.)
£1200-1500
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CAPTAIN DOUGLASS'S REFLECTING PROTRACTOR, BY WILLIAM CARY, LONDON, CIRCA 1825
constructed in lacquered brass, arc divided to 130° and signed Cary, London, vernier scale inscribed Patent 289, index arm with pinhole sight, attached to square protractor, contained within original fitted wooden case - 7in. (17.5cm.) diameter
£300-500
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A FINE 8IN. RADIUS PLATINUM SCALED VERNIER SEXTANT BY CARY LONDON, CIRCA 1840
constructed in lacquered brass, 'T' frame with arc inscribed and numbered Cary London, Platina & Gold, 950, platinum scale divided to 150°, vernier with gold scale, swivel magnifier and bubble level, adjustable sighting tube socket, black painted mirror and shade assembly with threaded cap over adjusting screw, ebony handle with mounting recess for stand, on three brass feet , contained within fitted box complete with accessories and key, and later retail label in lid for Scientific Instrument Works Johannesburg - case 11½in. (29cm.) square approximately
£800-1200
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A FINE 8IN. RADIUS VERNIER SEXTANT BY GEORGE LEE & SON, PORTSMOUTH
the oxidised brass ladder framed, polished arc, signed as per title and numbered 'W784', vernier with diffuser and magnifier, quick relapse clamp for sighting tube assembles, seven shades, two mirrors, wooden handle with inset ivorine note-plate, and case arbour, containing in original fitted case complete with accessories, maker's label and test certificate for 1926 - approx. 5in. (12.5cm.) square
£400-600
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A LATE 19TH-CENTURY 6½IN. RADIUS VERNIER SEXTANT
unsigned, oxidised brass three circle frame, brass arc no. '2275', silvered scale divided to 150degrees, vernier with magnifier, sighting tubes, mirrors, shades, shaped ebony handle, contained within fitted box with accessories, trade label for Henry Hughes & Son and test certificate for 1892, - 10in. (25.5cm.) square
£200-300
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A WELL PRESENTED ADMIRALTY-STYLE MODEL OF A TROOP BARGE OF CIRCA 1750
the boxwood clinker-built hull with blue bulwarks and Venetian red topside, fully fitted internally with seats, foot boards etc, and replete with full crew of painted alloy sailors holding boxwood oars aloft and mitre-capped red coat soldiers accompanied by a drummer and commanded by an officer in tricorn hat, mounted on turned brass supports on baize-lined base with bun feet and glass dome cover, overall measurements - 8½ x 18½ x 8in. (21.5 x 47 x 20cm.)
£250-350
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A well presented ½IN. TO 1FT MODEL OF THE NORFOLK BEACH YAWL BITTERN [1892]
modelled by R. Phillips as in working practise, with clinker built hull fitted with seats, mast steps with masts and rigged cotton sails, finished in varnish and mounted on two wooden columns to display base carved awls and boat hooks, overall - 14 x 21 x 6½in. (35.5 x 53.5 x 19cm.)
£300-500
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A FINELY OBSERVED ½IN. TO 1FT SCALE MODEL OF THE PILOT GIG BONNET [1830]
modelled by R. Phillips in cherry and spruce wood and constructed as in working practise with clinker hull complete with seats, foot rest, rollocks, etc., mounted on wooden columns to display base with six carved awls - 4½ x 18 x 6in. (11.52 x 46 x 15cm.)
£400-600
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AN EXCEPTIONALLY WELL MADE AND PRESENTED 8FT:1IN. SCALE STATIC DISPLAY MODEL OF H.M.S. VICTORY AS FITTED AFTER HER 'GREAT REPAIR' OF 1800-1803
modelled by D. Patrick-Brown with a planked and framed hull sheathed in verdigris 'copper' below the waterline, contrasting yellow black livery, gun ports with rigols and opening ropes mainly closed with several open revealing iron guns with red tompions, carved entrance port, chain plates and deadeyes, anchors with bound stocks, catheads with polychrome crowns, lined head rails, carved crest with cherub supporters, carved and glazed stern and quarter lights; planked deck with inked trenails complete with detailed fittings including gratings, stove pipe, belfry, well deck with fitted gun carriages,shot racks, fitted dinghy, hammocks nets, moulded handrails, binnacle with chimney, rigged double helm, deck lights; bound masts with with yards, s'tun'sl booms, foot ropes, standing and running rigging with blocks, tackle and much other fine detail. The hull mounted in 'dry dock' along runners set into a cobbled section with side supports and a scale workman on starboard side, on display base set within glazed wooden case with battery compartment and switch to operate stern cabin illumination and engraved plate. Cased measurements - 34 x 50 x 22in. (86.5 x 127 x 56cm.)
A high-quality offering of this much-modelled ship, it was produced at this slightly unusual scale to prove that it could not, in any part, emanate from one of the many kit versions now available. The quality, eye for detail, attractive finish and presentation set it apart from the many others offered to this House.
This lot will be available for viewing at Imperial Road
£3000-5000
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A REMARKABLY DETAILED 1IN:1FT SCALE MODEL OF THE 'BRISTOL' CLASS FRIGATE BRISTOL (1861) MODELLED BY COMMANDER A.H. OLIVER CIRCA 1870 AND LATER
the hull carved from the solid with copper-coloured 'sheathing', raising propeller, rudder with guide chains, enamelled name plate, gun ports with guns, figurehead; planked decks with contrasting central divide, gratings, bitts, belaying rails, cleats with rope coils, retractable funnel with chains, fully fitted long boat complete with oars, rollers, seats, foot rests etc, and steam pinnace with steam engine with folding chimney, opening grate etc, painted capstan, rigged double helm and binnacles, poop with propeller lifting gear, side and stern davits with fully-fitted boats in straps; bound masts constructed as in working practice, fully rigged with standing and running rigging with running blocks and sheaths, yards with s'tun'sl booms and footropes, mounted on later perspex stand. Overall measurements - 23 x 33in. (58.5 x 84cm.); Copies of historical data
Provenance: Oliver-Bellasis family and thence by descent; loaned to the Science Museum 1931-2016, inv. 1931-660
Algernon Hardy Oliver (1855-1934) completed his training aboard Britannia in 1869 and joined H.M.S. Bristol in December 1870 for eighteen months. He went on to serve on many vessels of which he kept meticulous logs which are now housed in the library of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. He retired a Commander in September 1900 and pursued a career as a silversmith and jeweller - skills he clearly drew on in this model where the most minute details are observed. His talent as a modeller was mentioned in his obituary of February 1934 which also noted that his model was now in the care of the Science Museum.
The 'Bristol' Class comprised fourteen vessels with some enlarged retrospectively as the "modified" Bristol Class. Built at several yards, the design was approved in 1858 and was basically a conventional 'wooden wall': a 250ft gundeck mounting 51 assorted guns manned by 550 crew. The nameship was built at Woolwich by Napier & Son, fitted with a steam engine able to produce an impressive eleven knots and launched in 1865. Commissioned the same year as the Flagship of Commodore G.T.P. Hornby for a cruise to West Africa, she was paid off in 1868. Recommissioned later that year as a cadet training ship, it was a role in which she remained until sold to the famous Lambeth breakers firm of Castle in July 1883.
£1500-2500
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A FINELY RIGGED CARVED BONE AND HORN PRISONER-OF-WAR STYLE MODEL OF THE 74-GUN SHIP SCEPTRE
the planked and pinned hull with horn main and secondary wales, open gun ports with retractable gun and Venetian red lids, chain plates with deadeyes, warrior figurehead with carved head rails, quarter lights, stern with broadside cords, metal anchors with bound bone stocks; planked deck with fittings including belaying rails, capstan, gratings, belfry, well deck, water casks, seat, deck lights etc.; bound masts with yards, s'tun'sl booms, standing and running rigging with two launches rigged port and starboard and other details, mounted on a fine ebony and bone marquetry base with compass rose to middle. Overall measurements - 17½ x 25in. (44.5 x 63.5cm.)
£6000-8000
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A 1:72 SCALE PLANKED AND FRAMED ADMIRALTY-TYPE MODEL FOR AN 80-GUN SHIP OF CIRCA 1783, PROBABLY INTENDED FOR THE CAESAR AND COMMENCED PRIOR TO HER LAUNCH IN 1793 WITH LATER PARTIAL COMPLETIONS OF CIRCA 1830 WHEN ALSO MISNAMED THE VICTORYN
The fully-planked boxwood hull with black-painted main wales, raised Venetian red gun port lids, chain plates with deadeyes, boarding steps, finely painted port bulwarks, stern gallery and quarter lights with fine raked ivory pilasters and tracing with painted mica windows, non-regulation lion figurehead holding 1801-16 pattern shield of arms, fine boxwood carving on the trailboards, curved boomkins, cathead with sheaves; the partially opened decks with details including finely painted head area with round houses and central pierced ivory door frame, belaying rails, bitts, stove with stove pipe and panelled compartments, belfry with bell, pierced gratings, red-painted fore and aft capstans, ivory stanchion posts, balustrading and double helm, shaped taffrail and much other fine and detailed work, mounted on two turned brass supports with starboard restraining brace on a stepped wooden base with glazed case secured by threaded bun feet. The model - 10 x 36 x 8¼in. (25.5 x 91.5 x 21cm.); the case - 17 x 40 x 12in. (43 x 101.5 x 30.5cm.)
£20000-30000
This intriguing model has been with the vendor's family since around 1830 and, in recent times at least, has been something of an enigma. As The Victoryn it has no matches - none in the lists of the Royal Navy, or indeed the several Continental navies. It therefore appeared to be a fiction and is probably the work of an over-zealous sign writer who copied, too literally, notes intending it to be called 'the Victory', the copperplate flourish translating to this odd name. The use of the Royal Arms covering the period of Trafalgar strengthens the suspicion that the incomplete model was intended to represent Nelson's flagship - at odds with our modern scholarship, but adequate for 19th century office decoration perhaps! The name, coupled with several other anomalies such as the non-regulation lion figurehead clutching a coat of Royal arms and incompletion to the stern carvings and starboard bulwark painting presented a true puzzle as what was there was done to an extremely high standard - an incomplete masterpiece which only served to distract and send frustrated researchers down several blind alleys.
Too good to be a spontaneous whimsy, the model had to be of a specific vessel. To solve it, it is important to ignore the name and the figurehead and concentrate instead on the actual layout of the eighty guns. Fifteen gunports a side on the lower deck and sixteen in the upper deck battery is an unusual arrangement, and characteristic of only the 80-gun ship, which was a very rare class in the Royal Navy of the late 18th Century. In fact, the standard 74 was so successful that the two 80s ordered in the early 1780s - the Caesar and the Foudroyant - were the first British two-deck 80-gun ships to be built for nearly a hundred years, and no more were to be ordered for two decades. As the model has minor anomalies which allow the case for either vessel to be made, the balance of probability has to be with the Caesar - the first ship ordered to a novel design might well have merited a good model, whereas her consort, Foudroyant only became famous when completed and served as flag ship to Nelson
The recent publication of the first volume of the Rogers Collection shows a strong similarity between this model and the 90-gun Princess Royal (1773), and it seems possible these models are by the same hand. Modelled at a scale of 1:48, the Princess Royal is a tour-de-force of the modeller's art, with exquisite detailing in boxwood and ivory, a fully-carved stern and head and fully-painted bulwarks, it is also highly finished internally and shows a tantalising glimpse of how this model might have looked had it been completed by the same hand. It is unlikely the identity of this modeller will ever be established - the Princess Royal was built at Portsmouth and the Caesar at Plymouth so did the modeller live near enough to be commissioned by the Admiralty. If so, one wonders why he stopped when two thirds of the way through. If this conjecture is correct, then the most likely explanation is that he died and the incomplete hull finally ended up with a model or furniture dealer where the vendor's ancestor acquired it as part of a collection of models for his city office; another model from this group was sold in these rooms as lot 298 on 30th April, 2014, although it came from a different branch of the family, it shared this common ancestor - both models retaining the same pattern of case he had fitted at the time.
The first 80-gun two-decker in the Royal Navy for almost a hundred years, H.M.S. Caesar was laid down at Plymouth on 24th January 1786 and launched on 16th November 1793. Designed by Surveyor Hunt, she was measured at 2,002 tons and was 181 feet in length with a 50∏ foot beam. Mounting 80 guns of varying calibre, including a main armament of 30-32pdrs., her initial complement consisted of 719 officers and men and her completion - as the first such English warship for nearly a century - even inspired a contemporary play "The Launch of the Caesar, or a Trip to Plymouth Dock" to celebrate the event
Entering service in time to participate in the opening fleet action of the War with Revolutionary France, her part in the battle of 'The Glorious 1st of June' [1794] proved anything but thanks to the blunders of her commander Captain Molloy. Dismissed from the ship as a result, Molloy's actions were entirely his own however and left no lasting stigma as far as Caesar herself was concerned. Continually at sea for the remainder of the decade, her next major encounter with the enemy came in 1801 when she was flagship to Sir James Saumarez's squadron blockading Cadiz. On 12th July, after several days of enemy activity during which Caesar had to be hurriedly refitted, Saumarez attacked and roundly defeated a large combined Franco-Spanish squadron in the battle which soon became known as the action in the 'Gut of Gibraltar'. Thereafter taking part in the famous blockade of Brest from 1803-05, Caesar then found herself leading the squadron which, on 3rd November 1805, intercepted and captured the four surviving French ships from Trafalgar for which her commanding officer Sir Richard Strachan was made a Knight of the Bath. In 1809, by which time she was commanded by Captain Charles Richardson, she took part in the action against the French fleet in the Basque Roads and also played a major role in the Flushing expedition that July. Withdrawn from sea service late in 1813, she was converted into an Army Clothing Depot Ship at Plymouth where she remained until broken up in February 1821
Literature: Walker, Grant H: The Rogers Collection of Dockyard Models at the U.S. Naval Academy, Volume 1 First & Second Rates, Seawatch Books 2015, Model No.70, p.123
Charles Miller Ltd is grateful to Robert Gardiner for his assistance with attributing this lot
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A RARE 1IN:39FT SCALE WATERLINE MODEL OF H.M.S. HAWKINS MODELLED BY NORMAN OUGH, 1926
the hull carved from the solid with painted sides and natural deck, carved and painted fittings including capstan, bitts, anchors with painted chains, main and secondary armament, bridge with fire control, masts with radio aerials and signal lanyards, stayed funnels, covered boats in davits, and other details, mounted on raised cloth-covered plinth with maker's plate, name and scale plates, and contained within ebonised wood glazed cover with exhibition label to one corner. Cased measurements - 6½ x 23½ x 6½in. (16.5 x 60 x 16.5cm.)
Norman Ough (1898-1965) was principal model maker to both the National Maritime Museum and Imperial War Museum and made commissions for many others as well as private clients. A considerable eccentric, he was sometimes found half starved having forgotten to eat for days being so wrapped in his work. His models are considered amongst the finest evocations of the genre, capturing the essential spirit of the ship and, at an age when few, if any short cuts were available, did not see the need to over-crowd detail. This model was presumably a private commission for someone connected to Hawkins, another example of this ship is held in the Imperial War Museum, Catalogue No. MOD1637
H.M.S. Hawkins was one of the five 'Cavendish' class cruisers ordered in 1915. Designed primarily for trade protection, Hawkins was built at Chatham where she was laid down in June 1916. Displacing 9,750 tons (12,190 deep loaded) and measuring 605 feet in length with a 65 foot beam, she could steam at 30 knots and carried a surprisingly heavy main armament of 7-7.5in. guns. Launched in October 1917, she was not completed until after the end of the Great War and her first tour of duty was as flagship to the 5th Light Cruiser Squadron on the China Station where she served from 1919 - 29. After a spell in the East Indies, she was rearmed in 1939 just in time for active duty in the Second World War during which she initially served as Flagship to Rear Admiral Sir Henry Harwood immediately after the Battle of the River Plate; She was scrapped in 1947
£800-1200
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A 16FT TO 1IN. SCALE WATERLINE MODEL OF NORWEGIAN TYPE 2 HUNT CLASS DESTROYER K.N.S ARENDAL (EX. H.M.S. BADSWORTH) AS DEPICTED IN 1946
modelled by E. Dyke, carved and laminated hull finished in red below the waterline and grey above, with detailed fittings and armaments as appropriate and depicted underway in a calm painted sea, contained on wooden display glass, with legend and plexiglass cover, overall - 6½ x 19½ x 6in. (16.5 x 48 x 15cm.)
Badsworth was built by Cammell Laird in 1941 as one of 33 produced under the emergency building programme. Displacing 1050 tons, they were 2ft 6in. wider than the Type 1s, their Parsons gears turbines developed 27kts and they were crewed by 168 personnel. Sold to Norway in 1946 and named Arendal she was struck from the list in 1961.
£250-350
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A 16FT TO 1IN. SCALE WATERLINE MODEL OF THE NORWEGIAN S-CLASS DESTROYER K.N.S STORD (EX H.M.S. SUCCESS) AS DEPICTED ON OPERATIONS CIRCA 1943
modelled by E. Dyke, carved and laminated hull finished in camouflage colours with detailed fittings and armament as appropriate and depicted underway in a calm painted sea, contained on wooden display glass, with legend and plexiglass cover, 9½ x 26 x 10in. (24 x 66 x 25.5cm.)
Built at Whites of Cowes in 1943, Success and her yard sister Shark were two of a small number immediately sold to the Norwegian Government in exile to boost their navy. Displacing around 1710 tons and crewed by around 200 personnel, their Parson's turbines developed an impressive 36kts. Renamed Stord, she survived the War to be broken in 1959; her sister (transferred to Norway in 1944 and renamed Svenner) was less lucky and was sunk by a German MTB whilst supporting the D-Day landings - the only vessel to be sunk in the first wave of 6th June.
£400-600
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A 1:192 SCALE WATERLINE MODEL OF H.M.S. SWIFTSURE DEPICTED AS FLAGSHIP TO THE EAST INDIES STATION IN 1913
modelled by E. Dyke, with laminated carved hull, finished in red below the waterline with white and grey topsides, complete with details including furled sponson nets, main and secondary armament, fitted bridge and overbridge, suite of 11 assorted steam and rowing pinacces, badges etc., stayed funnels, mast with fire directing nests and other details, depicted secured to a mooring buoy on a calm painted sea, on display base with plexiglass cover - overall 10 x 34 x 10in. (25.5 x 86.5 25.5cm.)
Built by Armstrongs and intended for Chile, Swiftsure and her sister, Triumph, were bought on the stocks to prevent possible transfer to Russia. Fast, but comparatively lightly armoured and armed, Swiftsure was used in the Channel and Mediterranean Squadrons before becoming Flagship East Indies in March 1912. A veteran of Gallipoli, she was sunk as a target in 1919.
£600-800
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A QUANTITY OF 1:1250 SCALE WATERLINE SHIP MODELS BY BASSETT LOWKE
including Japanese WW2 battleships: Kongo, Mutsu, Hiei, Ise, Fuso, Huruna and Jamashiro; together with US Navy WW1 destroyers: USS Blakely, USS Farrgut, USS Barker, USS Dale, USS Bagley, USS Dewey, USS Helm, USS Maury; USS Mugford; USS McCall, USS Benham, USS Gridley, USS Drayton and USS Selfridge; together with collection of similar models for Royal Navy warships by Reginald Carpenter: H.M.S. Agamemnon, H.M.S. Dreadnought, H.M.S. Vangard, H.M.S. Hercules, H.M.S. Agincourt, H.M.S. Conqueror, H.M.S. Marlborough, H.M.S. Warspite, H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth and H.M.S. Royal Oak, each model labelled as appropriate and loosely taped to blue wooden display base with plexiglass cover and legend to front
(31 in three cases)
£400-600
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AN ATTRACTIVE UN-RIGGED MODEL OF THE FAMOUS RACING YACHT AMERICA (1851), POSSIBLY CIRCA 1901
the 25½in. hull carved from the solid with bow decoration and stern eagle, painted deck with cut-away bow-sprit and masts, covered hatch, finely modelled capstan, deck light, companionway and circular cockpit, mounted to two turned columns on wooden base - 11 x 31½in. (28 x 80cm.)
Arguably the most celebrated racing yacht ever built, America was commissioned by a syndicate of New York businessmen who engaged George Steers to design them a schooner based upon the lines of the city's distinctive pilot boats. Launched on 3rd May, 1851, she measured 95ft in length and was constructed of five different woods, mostly white oak. She left American waters in June and, after a brief call at Le Havre, arrived at Cowes on 1st August where she caused an immediate sensation. The now famous race for which the Royal Yacht Squadron had put up a handsome new Hundred Guinea Cup took place amidst great excitement on 22nd August, 1851. Commencing at 10 o'clock, the 58 mile course was around the Isle of Wight and, after a disappointing start, America took the lead at 11.30. She crossed the finishing line at 8.37 that evening, eight minutes ahead of the nearest challenger and, in that instant, achieved the fame which was to remain hers long after her timbers had perished away.
£800-1200
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