Over the years I have had the opportunity to introduce my models to business executives (nationally and globally). But in the stead of steamboats, these have been acquired by those in New York, New England and in the south and northeast regions of the United States.
Today, my models are displayed in companies, corporations, and homes that showcase the breathtaking views of our rivers and waterways here in the Northeast...and abroad. In essence, my namesake is no stranger to the exquisite steamboat models I produce. All which are based on extensive research and painstaking drafting of plans.
This image depict the famed Fall River Line nightboat COMMONWEALTH shown as she appeared in 1925. At the miniature scale of 1:182, this wood model features indiscriminate detail not found in contemporary models of its class.
New England's Fall River Line was known for its beautiful nightboats which carried luxurious interiors of the day. These large sidewheelers boasted the same elegance as the global steamships that visited international ports of call.
What better way to celebrate our maritime heritage than with a ship model of those steamboats that once traveled our industrialized waterways... It's not enough to have a Bard, Jacobsen (or any contemporary painting) gracing the wall without having it accented with a beautiful model of the actual vessel -similar to above supporting photo.
In the images below, I show two ship models of contemporary steamboats of the early 20th century that operated for the notable Hudson River Day Line. These are partial views that focus on the intricate details handcrafted in wood. My scales vary, depending on the client's preference (and need of space)...and no detail is lost -regardless of size.
This partial portside view show the graceful lines of the HENDRICK HUDSON when first built in 1906. She was the pride of Newburgh, New York -being built at its T.S. Marvel Shipyard for the Hudson River Day Line.
This starboard profile depict the ALEXANDER HAMILTON as she appeared on the Hudson River in 1959. She was the last of the famous Hudson River Day Line steamers to operate on the river between Albany, New York and New York City, ceasing steamboat travel in 1971 with her final excursion to Bear Mountain.
As my credentials grew, I realized executives (along with their wives), were the first to embrace this form of collecting. It was a unique genre being established in the State of New York and New England by businessmen; and to some extent, clergy. Later, galleries, antique dealers, private collectors and others would embrace these momentos of American maritime...even today.
One of my early models of the island steamboat NANTUCKET shown as she appeared in 1895. This was the first of its kind to embrace Nantucket and all of New England during the early 1980s. Business executives were the first to purchase them -followed by collectors and owners of estates in and around the Cape Cod region...Later, due to pirating, I had to change my version to create a new line to show her appearance of 1887 seen in the image below.
Stmr. NANTUCKET c.1887 - Detail Wood Model, Scale 1/8" = 1'.
I decided to remain with this version of NANTUCKET c.1887 because of its fresh appearance, knowing that it wouldn't be pirated as the former. Also, my relationship with executives continued to be 'front and center' ...giving a green light to my most recent NANTUCKET ( 1887 version). Not only were replicated models built, but one businessman requested it be placed in a diorama setting shown in the supporting two photographs.
Stmr. NANTUCKET shown approaching marker bouy as she departs her namesake island enroute to the Mainland.
Another view showing a fishing sloop passing portside at NANTUCKET's stern enroute to the island. At the harpooner's station can be seen a young crewman waving to a mother and her daughter on the main deck of the steamboat...Not shown, but featured, are seagulls in flight formation which began to be one of the highlights (and signature) of these current pieces.
Three New England steamboat dioramas were ordered by this executive for his home on Martha's Vineyard. The subjects (all at the same scale) were NANTUCKET, NOBSKA, and NAUSHON.
Below are images of the other two dioramas in his Collection.
Here, a cabin cruiser with sunbathers race the New England steamship NOBSKA off the coastal waters of Massachusetts on a summer afternoon in 1967. My signature seagulls can be seen in flight at the port bow and starboard stern of the vessel.
Below, a similar scene with the NAUSHON being greeted by Vineyard residents in passing.
And, after escorting our daughter to and fro from school, the subtle peace of designing and drafting one of a kind shipmodel plans; along with scratchbuilding the models themselves made my residency all the more worth remaining. I went all out with designing plans of notable steamboats that operated in that region from Connecticut to Maine; and like New York, my credentials traveled.
One of the steamboats that I drafted plans for was the beautiful and elegant PRISCILLA of the Fall River Line. There were two in New England that I witnessed being (fairly large), but I wanted to scale my version down to miniature level so that it could be enjoyed in a corporate office with all the pther trophies of the day; and yet, be large enough to retain all the minute details of her superstructure and furniture.
Bow starboard profile below show my PRISCILLA model as she appeared when first built in 1894. The scale of this build is 1:182, giving the model a length of 29 inches.
A few of my profile plans to illustrate the painstaking detail I discovered (and rendered) while pouring over rare literature and photos associated with these vessels. The plans for these models are exclusive which make the models equally so.
Profile plan I drafted on the Hudson River towboat AMERICA as she appeared in 1852.
I can't express enough how rare these models are. I am indebted to those executives who willingly funded me during the birth of these works. There are no words to express the gratitude. However, I still produce them - and continue to search for those who enjoy them for the sake of their historical prominence, as well as their artistic beauty. In duplication, no two models are alike...and no two colorschemes match. Even the flags have a distinction about them that some attempted to copy.
All in all, these blogs have been collected over the years to pay homage to my ability to research and capture a bygone era that is left to only a remnant of people who can testify of their association with some of the latter boats. But as a whole, steamboating was one of the machines that shaped and cultivated American society...and it was a cultural enterprise that didn't discriminate. I'm living proof through my research and by my works.
Some of you executives/collectors are looking for a specific vessel to add to your collection -or maybe an upstart to a collection. Don't compromise and settle for mediocre when one of the best exist among you.
Feel free to express your concerns (and what you expect). I am a seasoned expert and professional that know the American steamboat as an artist, craftsman and historian. Quality and detail is my forte...and I trust that it's yours as well.
With bank vice present Ron Knoll viewing the steamboat model for his boardroom at Norstar Bank in Albany, New York c.1988.
For further information about my work (and your requests) please send your inquiries to Caseships@yahoo.com or call 774-757-7137 for details. My credentials can be viewed at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexstewart and https://youtube.com/c/RexStewartoriginals.
Thank you for viewing.
No comments:
Post a Comment