Collectible and Rare -The Steamboat Model /Rex Stewart

When New York celebrated its Hudson-Fulton Event in 2007, followed by the NY 400 Celebration of HALF MOON and Henry Hudson's namesake river, every museum and society between Albany and New York City had exhibitions.

From paintings, photographs and models, to fundraisers and lectures. Everything  river-related was shown. But what many facilities didn't have to support these venues were steamboat models. I reviewed every exhibition in the Hudson Valley and discovered only a few good models were shown from the hundred or so I produced in my studio.

These events indicated that those who owned these small gems did not want to part with them for public exhibition. Also on the antique circuit while showing at Brimfield, MA many buyers desired the NANTUCKET model and, when it was sold others who returned to the booth commissioned models that were from other regions in the Northeast. This event also brought awareness that steamboat models were very much in demand, especially to the connessiour who knew these were rare collectibles.

Exploring further, at auctions, few of these items surfaced and to my awe I learned that a simple folk art model sold for $15,000. Occasionally a high-quality detailed model would enter an auction floor and be swooped up by a knowledgeable buyer/collector. A few of my models were recently sold highend or slightly below their original value which dispell the myth that these aren't in demand as contemporary works.

                                 Antique folk art model of a Mississippi sidewheeler.

If one look upon today's shipmodel industry, it's apparent that there are less than twenty or so good models promoted as kits. Some are expensive and others are moderately priced. When built, depending on how much detail is involved, can become a highend collectible. Yet understand that these are kits. Beyond the kit types are models of another class, the scratchbuilt and folkart divisions. Folk art pieces are those works that are crude in appearance and simplistic in detail. However, because of rarity, these are highly sought after. Many were produced during the heydey of steamboating by crew members who wanted display pieces to remember the vessel they served on.

The highend collectible that would be most desirable to the serious buyer would be the thoroughly researched scratchbuilt model. These are called 'special class' or 'builder's models -the best of the best.

     A rare 'Rex Stewart' model of the famous Hudson River sidewheeler DANIEL DREW
    in the corporate boardroom of Bank Of America. A rare steamboat print accents the
    model.


The more famous the vessel...the fewer built as models...the higher the price. Many dealers won't disclose this, but it's a fact.

At the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. there is a Hudson River Day Line model of HENDRICK HUDSON. That model was donated to the Museum by the Olcott family, owners of that Line. However, one of the family heirs commissioned a model from my studio and that model is today exhibited at the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston, New York. Seldom are these models at auction and few are made.

In the past twenty years steamboat models have exceeded expectations at auction venues -and models that represent the Northeast Corridor of the USA are quickly bidded upon and sold. Furthermore, those collectors whom I visited either owned a steamboat print or painting and desired a model to accent those heirlooms which, in essence, became a nice balance.

       A rare contemporary diorama showing the island steamer NANTUCKET carrying
       passengers to the mainland as it passes a bouy and catboat on a summer afternoon
       in 1890. Wood-sculpted collectible produced at the studio of the author.

Because steamboat collecting is a new trend, brought about in the 1960s; this unique category is fast becoming a field to watch.

           A 'Rex Stewart' model that sold in New York City at Bonham Auction in April
           2011 for $5,538.00. A wood model that was considered high-quality and one of
           the few in its category to supercede other bids.

Some thirty years ago, after producing over a hundred models, I encouraged investors to acquire them. Not so much because I produced them, but because miniature gems were part of an era fading into the annals of history and becoming an Americana heirloom.

The American steamboat, as we know it, is no longer. The only remnant to the Northeast steamer are the scale models I faithfully produce. They can't be copied or found anywhere except in Central Massachusetts where they are researched and built with blueprint-precision.

These are the highend models of today...a rare and valuable collectible of yesteryear, the steamboat.

For more information about commissioning a fine quality Hudson River or Northeast steamboat model email: Caseships@yahoo.com or call 1-774-757-7137. You may also visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexstewart

Steamboat Model ALEXANDER HAMILTON c.1959 -The Build

        Hudson River steamboat ALEXANDER HAMILTON approaching Albany, New York
       via the Dunn Memorial Bridge c.1959.

Steamboat models have become one of the most rare and highly sought after commodities in today's collectible market, both nationally and internationally. After investigating and researching the trends over a twenty year period, nothing from this observation is further from the truth.

And if these models are built with blueprint precision they, infact, become more sought after by serious maritime collectors...
which is why my line of models are highly
accredited for their presentation and accuracy.

My start with steamboats began in the summer of 1980 when the President of Albany International Corp. proposed to purchase a model of the steamer MARY POWELL from the Albany Institute of History and Art. The proposal was declined -as the model was part of the Governor's home decor, on loan from the Museum. To this end, several business executives learned about my modelmaking skills (from local media sources), especially when I received a grant from the Mayor to work at the Albany City Arts Office that same year.

And though 'fine art' was produced in that facility, the steamboat models originated on the other side of town in the basement of the Albany Institute of History and Art -the place where I studied adult courses as a youth during the '60s. And so, it was there that the exclusive one-of-a-kind steamboat model was birthed.

         The SIDEWHEELER Newsletter which was published in the Summer of 1976 by
          the Committee To Save The Alexander Hamilton.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON was a beautiful vessel known to many on the Hudson River as the "White Swan". I could never understand why she inherited that name, but after viewing many photos and angles of her appearance, I realized the meaning. She literally 'glided' along the river and her sleek appearance was indeed graceful, swan-like. Those who sailed her were fortunate. I could only get to view her stacks and billowing smoke as she passed beneath our window from the view we had of her from Capital Hill. On Phillip Street we had a visual of both Rennselaer and the river, so it wasn't difficult to miss this vessel or the sound of her whistle as she passed.

In 1974, three years after the steamboat ceased running on the Hudson, a small group was formed and called the Steamer Alexander
Hamilton Society. These individuals, through
lectures, fundraisers and memberships,
worked diligently to save the vessel from
distinction.

By 1976, through the Society's efforts, the steamer was officially listed by the State of New Jersey as a historic site. In April the following year she gained National Register status only to lose federal funding when a hurricane sanked her at her pier that November of 1977. It was a great loss to the Hudson River Valley and to the maritime community at large.

As a modelbuilder of these great vessels, I have dedicated my time and talent to preserving these timeless steamboats in various scales for future generations. Unquestionably, I have honed my skills to this artform because it has never been fully tapped or explored. And what few models do exist, none can rival the degree of research or workmanship I have placed in these pieces which are, in essence, highend collectibles.

I owe, first and foremost, The Lord for my wisdom to investigate this genre of art. Secondly, I owe much of my learning experiences concerning the steamboat to many of those who are now departed -the authors, curators, collectors and rivermen whom either owned these vessels, worked on them or amassed a brilliant collective body of rare photos that they were willing to share which, inpart, escalated my growth as the leading builder of the Hudson River steamboat.

These photos show my approach building the

ALEXANDER HAMILTON from its early stages to its final completion. The model is made from four sources of wood, re: pine, bass, balsa and birch. Balsa is used for the framework to keep decks flush and alligned.


The time to plan and construct this model took an overall period of two and a half months. This is, inpart, due to the research that was involved and the minute detail requested by the collector. Normally a model of this scale would take less time, but this individual wanted the HAMILTON at a period where he remembered both her design, color and configurations. These particular models have a higher value because they are documented miniatures of a period that's not 'general'.
He places her in a period of the year 1959, so research is eminent.

               Shown here are the scratchbuilt floating rafts -handcarved and the interior
               grating individually cut out with a pen-knife.

            All basswood decks are precisely marked and scaled so that cabin work and
          deck furniture allign properly. All decks are pre-cut so that no mistakes are made
          during the build.

         The hull. This is where it all begins. The hull must be 'perfect' and flush in order to
         get the model looking like the real vessel. At least four to six hours are invested in 
        sanding and finishing the hull. Anytime past this, the wood is bad and must be discard-
        ed.

                My time-tested method of building...
              Models that I built 30 years ago still has their fresh look today. But those are
              considered antiques, where my current works are now relinquished to be, by
              professional standards, collectibles.

         This bow starboard view show the sleek and beautiful lines of this prolific steamer
        as she appeared in 1959.

              This portside overhead view show all the detail ALEXANDER HAMILTON
             carried that year. The flags are handpainted, folded and treated with acrylic
             so to keep its longevity.

          Stern port view of the "White Swan" as she was called by her fellow travelers.

The final presentation, the ALEXANDER HAMILTON in 3/32" Scale. This wooden steamboat model is the result of many painstaking hours viewing photos, plans of which I had to alter
to achieve the proper configurations.

In closing, let it be said that this steamboat was in a class of her own. memorable to all whom traveled on her during her 48 years of service. She was the last steamboat to operate on the Hudson River, serving well over 5 million passengers between Albany and New York City -ceasing her career in 1971 with her final run to Bear Mountain in the Lower Hudson Valley.

For more information about commissioning a fine quality Hudson River or northeast steamboat model email: Caseships@yahoo.com or call 1-774-757-7137. You may also visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexstewart

Building The Model -Nightboat CITY OF TROY c.1876

                                 Nightboat CITY OF TROY at dock -Troy, New York c.1890

Hudson River steamboats were legendary on the river. People enjoyed travelling on them as well as watching from the shoreline. Some accounts say that the steamboat whistle was like a clock for releasing school children from school in the Lower Hudson Valley. Other accounts state that it gave warning of the vessels arrival which could be heard miles inland from the banks. Whatever the reason, the steamboat was a vital part of America's past.

As I listened to the elder rivermen tell me their stories of these great sidewheelers, there was no room for doubt that I would be overwhelmed by the appearance of these vessels. One such boat I probably would have enjoyed watching as it passed the Albany shoreline would be CITY OF TROY. She, at that time, operated for the People's Line of her namesake city.

I remember, during the '80s, viewing a large photo of her displayed in the lobby of Troy's City Hall while exhibiting at the city's Art Festival. There she was in all her glory -docked at her Troy pier. She was a beautiful, fine-looking steamboat worth producing as a model. But not just a 'model' -a finely detailed work would be my goal to salute the gifts God placed in men to design and build such a vessel.

                     
                            Placing the paddlewheel in the open cavity of the "C of T" guards.

After much investigating and research, I spoke with author Anthony Peluso who published a book on the famous steamboat painters John and James Bard. These artists were known for their colorful documentations of river steamers that operated on both the Hudson and East Rivers of New York. Many of their works were commissioned either by the companies that owned them or by the captains which sailed them.

Mr. Peluso stated that I could get the colorscheme from the Bard paintings but that I would have to investigate and find, if possible, the records of the vessel in the hopes of getting blueprints. I searched data banks and finally communicated with the President of the Steamship Historical Society and found little information to support the steamboats' reconstruction.

To this end, with what limited photos and references I had to work with, I set out to begin the process of building the first CITY OF TROY steamboat model...and the only one of it's kind in the entire Hudson River Valley.

I decided to use the above photo, enlarging it at the local printers to finally give me a reference for detailing an accurate profile to scale.
Once this was accomplished, the profile became the tool that I needed to research and design the deck plans which would lend to this important replica to be, in essence, 95 percent accurate.

From this experience I learned how to configure widths and lengths based solely on photos and various angles of the vessel represented in them, re: CITY OF TROY.

Careful study went into the hogframe system which, by most accounts, even in the actual vessel, is one of the most difficult  building processes to address. I spent countless hours  experimenting with those lines that ran from spars, smokestacks and frames to achieve the exact configurations that were evident in the photo. Angled views helped to some degree, but it was the countless drawings and deck corrections that became the ruling authority in this proceedure.

Very few builders of steamboats can achieve this, simply because it takes patience and passion. I've been fortunate to establish a timetable for the build -based on configurations. It took two months to draft the plans and two months to build the model. This is approximately the time-frame for a custom, one of a kind work. If the plans are available, whether by my hand or someone's database, the build would take less time.

This is the final result of the work, the CITY OF TROY as she appeared in 1876.

Here, the detail is present in close-up, showing the hogframe system and the complicated tie-rods that keep the guards of the steamboat strengthened so that the boilers and cabins remain alligned. The guards extended away from the hull and were supported beneath by knees and strakes. But the above strength had to come from the hogframes and tie-rods.

Designers of the day were brilliant. In all my models, to date, I'm blessed to have had (and continue to have) the opportunity to shadow how they built these vessels. CITY OF TROY is one of my best pieces but not the best piece. There are 'many' that only a historian will be able to discover should that individual be willing to search.


For more information about commissioning a fine quality Hudson River steamboat model email: Caseships@yahoo.com or call 1-774-757-7137. You may also visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexstewart