A FINE STATIC DISPLAY MODEL OF THE P.S. GREAT WESTERN DESIGNED BY I.K. BRUNEL, BY BASSETT-LOWKE LTD, NORTHAMPTON

the 40in. carved and laminated hull with finely carved Neptune figurehead, red-painted paddle wheels with boxes over and gilt lined stern lights, planked wooden decks with capstan, bitts, anchors with bound wooden stocks, deck rails, funnels stayed with chains, with safety valve extension pipes, engine room lights, companionway, saloon lights, double helm with turned spokes, four racked masts with yards, blocks and standing and running rigging; mounted on four ebonised metal supports to white display base with model maker’s plate and legend, overall measurement -- 26 x 56 x 12in. (66 x 142.5 x 30.5cm.)

Provenance: Commissioned from Bassett-Lowke Ltd by George Hammond Marine Ltd, Dover, 1972 for display in a new reception area. This building's recent closure now obliges sale.

In 1835, at the same time as work was beginning on the construction of the Great Western Railway from London to Bristol, Brunel turned his attention to the sea. In his view, a regular steamship service from Bristol to New York was the logical extension to his railway across the breadth of England and the resulting ships ushered in a new era of transatlantic travel. The first of them, Great Western, was laid down in Patterson's Yard, Bristol, in July 1836 and launched exactly a year later. Built of wood, she was 236 feet long, registered at 1,340 tons, and her luxurious appointments included 128 first-class berths. Her two-cylinder Maudsley sliver-lever engines provided 450hp to her paddles and gave her a cruising speed of 12 knots in calm water. Leaving Bristol on 8 April 1839, she completed her maiden voyage to New York in 15 days and thus began a highly successful career which was to last 18 years. She was more profitable by far than either of Brunel's two other ships, Great Britain and Great Eastern. She was broken up at Vauxhall, London, in November 1856.

Condition Report

Fine overall condition; uncased.

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Charles Miller Ltd is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE.