Zach's Collection (4 Viewers)

[Go for Broke]

Very neat. Even before collecting toy soldiers, you had expensive hobbies. Those prison models are like something you'd see in a museum.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Absolutely incredible Zach! I saw a Napoleonic prisoner model of aBritish warship in an antique shop on University Place in Manhatan, and coveted it, but it was way beyond my means.

 

[zblang]

Expensive tastes, yup, we all got those!
These pieces were inherited from my father so I was spared having to buy them!

 

[jazzeum]

For the ignorant like me, what are prisoner models, other than the obvious, i.e., models made by prisoners.

 

[villagehorse]

Some amazing pieces here, just when you think you are covering this hobby fairly well, you find a whole new range is out there, be it out of my league. :salute::, Robin.

 

[zblang]

For the ignorant like me, what are prisoner models, other than the obvious, i.e., models made by prisoners.

Brad - that really is what it is. They were made by prisoners of war (I guess who had a lot of time on their hands) from scraps that were laying around. Many times bones from meals, pieces of metal scraps, etc. Just don't picture a single guy in a rotting cell on the floor - they had artisan shops at many of the prisons to make money from these things
It is much more common to find British ships than either French or American ships

"On the encouragement of their captors, they formed their own quasi-artisan guilds to produce small objets d’art to sell in the camp’s periodic civilian open market. Many of these imprisoned sailors came from specialized artistic vocations sponsored by Napoleon, e.g. ivory carvers, tapestry weavers, gold or silver smiths, fine furniture & cabinet makers, etc.

One of the most popular objects sought by the English were the alluring ship models they created mostly representing, in a stylized form, British naval ships of the era. These were constructed from recycled cattle bone, boxwood, whale baleen, or sometimes from more exotic materials supplied by the local citizenry, e.g., silk, gold or silver foil, ivory, tortoise shell, etc. The fine carving work and symmetric hull and deck planking exhibited on these models was remarkable, as well as the authenticity of their delicate linen or silk rigging. It is interesting to note, that a small percentage of their models actually had mechanical apparatus: make-shift wound springs attached to interior bulwarks gundeck cannons could be retracted inboard by pulling on small lines hanging from the stern or keel of the model."

 

[zblang]

Just for comparison purposes, these are two others that I have. These are modern models made from whale bone. They were made in the 1970s. I show these to show how good these artists are, but also to show how good the prisoners were. Yes, the new ones are cleaner and more precise, but considering tools and materials used I think the prisoners were doing just fine! (ignore the cushion behind them - I tried to find something to put behind them to make it easier to see)

The larger of the two ships is the Charles W. Morgan - a whale ship that operated out of New Bedford, MA (my home town!). One of the stupidest things the "city" of New Bedford did was to sell the Morgan to Mystic, CT New Bedford has one of the best whaling museums in the world and it would be amazing to have the Morgan as part of it...but oh well - wanna see it, go to CT {sm3} (it's recently been renovated). "Mystic Seaport" the tourist attraction was built around the Morgan - yup - could have been some good tourism for good ol' New Bedford if they were smart

The smaller is the Kate Cory, a whaling Brig. The ship, the real one was built in Westport MA (1856). After only five voyages, she was captured by the CSS Alabama and burned off the coast of Brazil in 1863.

 

[zblang]

Ps, the rigging works on those last two. It's pretty cool

 

[Louis Badolato]

Again, absolutely epic! One of my dreams is to get up to your home town and spend some quality time in the whaling museum!

 

[zblang]

depending on what interests you (there's not all that much in the area)- it's about 55min from Boston, Stay in Boston and drive down for a day (then go get some Portuguese food -man I miss that!).

 

[Louis Badolato]

How far a drive is it from Newport RI? My wife loves to go there.

 

[zblang]

probably under an hour (traffic dependent - summer definitely longer) - used to go to Newport all the time in the summers when i was a weeeee lad

 

[Napoleon1er]

Again, absolutely epic! One of my dreams is to get up to your home town and spend some quality time in the whaling museum!

The whaling museum is great.

 

[jazzeum]

Brad - that really is what it is. They were made by prisoners of war (I guess who had a lot of time on their hands) from scraps that were laying around. Many times bones from meals, pieces of metal scraps, etc. Just don't picture a single guy in a rotting cell on the floor - they had artisan shops at many of the prisons to make money from these things
It is much more common to find British ships than either French or American ships

"On the encouragement of their captors, they formed their own quasi-artisan guilds to produce small objets d’art to sell in the camp’s periodic civilian open market. Many of these imprisoned sailors came from specialized artistic vocations sponsored by Napoleon, e.g. ivory carvers, tapestry weavers, gold or silver smiths, fine furniture & cabinet makers, etc.

One of the most popular objects sought by the English were the alluring ship models they created mostly representing, in a stylized form, British naval ships of the era. These were constructed from recycled cattle bone, boxwood, whale baleen, or sometimes from more exotic materials supplied by the local citizenry, e.g., silk, gold or silver foil, ivory, tortoise shell, etc. The fine carving work and symmetric hull and deck planking exhibited on these models was remarkable, as well as the authenticity of their delicate linen or silk rigging. It is interesting to note, that a small percentage of their models actually had mechanical apparatus: make-shift wound springs attached to interior bulwarks gundeck cannons could be retracted inboard by pulling on small lines hanging from the stern or keel of the model."

Thanks.

 

[zblang]

Some more FL!!!

Flags and Drums

 

[zblang]

I just received my FL Spanish Tercio figures. In my opinion, these are some of the best First Legion figures around. Between these and the Polish Hussars....they just continue to better themselves and knock it out of the park!!!

 

[nmrocks]

I just received my FL Spanish Tercio figures. In my opinion, these are some of the best First Legion figures around. Between these and the Polish Hussars....they just continue to better themselves and knock it out of the park!!!

They are beautiful Zach, great character, really give you a feel for the era.
Ray

 

[zblang]

Here are pictures of my latest arrival.
This is The Calligrapher. The casting is from Altores Studio and the painting by Silver Dream Studio in St. Petersburg.
This was my first time working with Silver Dream. It could not have been easier, good English, they use paypal (no wiring money), etc.
I think the painting on this is stunning. The figure was sculpted to look like a Japanese woodblock, rather than true to life and they painted her in that same vein. I am very happy with it! (sorry pictures aren't as clear as normal - got lazy and used iPhone)

 

[zblang]

First Legion 2nd Dutch Red Lancers of the Imperial Guard Standard Bearer NAP0420

 

[zblang]

Some new additions!
The first is Ariel Sharon and Moshe Daya from Alymer #900-28
As far as reasonably priced glossies go, I really like some of what Alymer is doing these days. Such a varied selection from them from time periods and subjects that most manufacturers aren't doing

The second is Caesarian Roman Vexillifer from First Legion #ROM057
Just a great figure in typical FL fashion!