A 1:384 SCALE WATERLINE MODEL OF THE CELEBRATED FIRST CLASS NORWEGIAN CRUISE SHIP STELLA POLARIS

modelled by R.A. Wilson, the 13in. hull carved from laminated wood and finished in white with planked decks, fittings, superstructure and lifeboats, masts, rigging and funnel as appropriate, depicted steaming in an undulating blue sea within glazed wooden case with labels, together with a wood carry case -- 7 x 21¼ x 7¼in. (18 x 54 x 18.5cm.)

Famed as the world's first purpose built cruise liner, Stella Polaris enjoyed a long and eventful career from the day she was launched in 1927 to the day she sank, under tow to be a hotel in 2006. Fitted with advanced and luxurious accommodation for 200 passengers on normal cruises, or 100 on world cruises, she was established as a favourite long before World War II interrupted. Serving as a mess for German officers, with peace she was re-fitted and continued for another twenty-nine years until sold to Japan for conversion to a floating hotel. She was sold again in 2006 and re-named Scandinavia in order to return to the land that built her to continue as a hotel. En-route she took on water and sank in seventy metres two miles off Wakayama state. Attempts to salvage her have so far been thwarted by a vigorous underwater current.