Awesome Detail Signed Antique Ship in Bottle Folk Art

Oooops!  This ship in bottle was supposed to be listed tomorrow afternoon.  To do that, I would have to end this auction and start over.  That's too much of a hassle ... so Monday's SIB is being offered Sunday, instead. 

Thursday Head's Up!!   Most of you know I have another auction that ends Thursday ... Item no.  330285515580, the one I called Currier & Ives.  As soon as that one ends, I have another ship in bottle scheduled, all ready to go.  The new SIB will be posted Thursday at 12:00:00 PST, same time that the other one ends.  I'm trying to commit to having two nice SIBs posted a week -- one on Monday and another on Thursday.  I may also post some lower-end common SIBS ... I'm sure everyone can tall the difference.

Close Inspection of the First Kind?  I have a problem.  I go through my collection of antique ships in bottle trying to decide which ones I can sell on eBay.  And I do have to SELL a lot of ships in bottle ... since I continue to ADD old SIBs to that collection.  I need more room for the new inventory.  So, I'll take one down from a shelf and reassure myself, "Let it go ... Let it go."  A couple of days later, I begin taking photos and writing eBay descriptions -- and that up close inspection causes me to reconsider.  On a number of occasions, after doing all that work, I've put them right back in the cabinet where they came from.  And then I go back to the stash and look for another to sell.  I'm still wavering on this one.  It's that nice. 

All Time Best Maker Of Antique SIBs?   My reluctance for selling this particular ship in bottle is heightened because I feel a special connection with the guy who made it.  No, I didn't know him personally -- he was from the UK and probably died many years ago.  I have no idea who he was; it's a big mystery.  But through the years, I have seen many ships in bottle made by him.  Probably ten or fifteen?  Maybe more.  I have had four or five of his in my own collection.  All made by this same guy.  This is one of two that I have remaining.  And that's one reason I can justify letting this one go -- I'm confident I'll see others by him for sale in the future.  The guy who made this had a very distinctive style -- you can see his markings a mile away.  I'm writing this on Sunday, and even today, one hour away from where I live outside Philadelphia, there is another ship in bottle being sold by this same maker at a live auction in New Hope, PA.  Take a look at item no.  150306815767.  It's a horrible photo -- but I knew instantly it was the same guy.  That auction is being conducted by Noel Barrett, who is pretty well known as an expert in antique toys.  He appears regularly on The Antique Road Show.  Just so you know -- Barrett only sells significant stuff.  I would go to the auction today if I could -- but I'm headed instead to the opera this afternoon.  (I'm a wimp ... girlfriend says "We're going to the opera today!"  And like a trained puppy, I go to the opera.  Arf!!)  If this guy isn't the best maker of antique ships in bottle, he's up there.  He was the most prolific that I've ever seen.  And there's no doubt in my mind that he hailed from Great Britain -- probably London, based on what I've seen. 

Distinctive Characteristics.  The guy who made this always identified what he was making, adding personal handwritten touches inside the bottle.  His rigging is always the same -- and it's the among the most complicated rigging you'll likely ever see.  There are lots of other common traints ... the large bowsprit, white capped bolts extending from the hull exterior (from which he added rigging), and railings along the hull which look like white staples -- not sure what they are, but almost every SIB he made had them.  But what I like best about this guy is the fine handmade details he added -- like the beautiful flags he put inside, and the unbelievable detailed rigging.

Details ... Details ... Well, here's the biggest mystery about this guy -- when did he exist?  How old are all those ships in bottle he made?  Well frankly -- nobody knows.  I have a hunch about him though.  I think he made his SIBs in bottles that were older than the period they were constructed.  I think he bought antique bottles and then made ships in bottle consistent with the era of the bottle.  That's just a guess, of course.  But the other SIB I have by this guy has a handpainted picture of a mermaid inside, with the date 1875.  I know it wasn't made then - he was just depicting that era.  This one also contains some personal signature touches -- take a look at the photos of the bottom of the hull.  Here's what's written:

            "1832 (?), Greenwich Flier, South China Trader."  (And almost indecipherible -- )  "comestables (?)  to .. ???"

The last reference is almost impossible to read because the glue on the bottom of the hull hides some of what the maker wrote.  The second line appears to be a reference to a specific voyage ... I just can't make it out.  But again, it obviously wasn't made in 1832. 

I think the photos on this one are decent.  You should be able to see what a nice model this is.  The incredible detailed rigging; the elaborage hull, stained in such a way that it looks very aged and antique-ish.  The tips of the spars and masts similarly have been painted and contain elaborage details.  There's too much to mention really ... lots of white railings and holds and hatches on deck.  

Age and Bottle ...  The bottle appears to have been made between 1920-1930.  There's a number embossed on the bottom -- 23.  Does that mean 1923?  Dunno.  It's possible.  It's not a screw cap.  The bottle could just as easily be 1950.  Really, I'm not sure.  There aren't many signs to guide me, and I've never seen a liquor bottle quite like this one.  But I'll go with 1920-30 based on other obviously older SIBs I've seen by this same guy.  His other ships in bottle appear older than this one.

Rigging ... This ship in bottle contains some of the most detailed rigging you'll ever see.  Each mast has around 25-30 lines (or more) running down to the hull.  Hard to count because the lines are fine and delicate.  There are five masts.  The spars are pretty evenly aligned.  No loose lines in the rigging.  There are several hand painted flags inside the bottle -- the primary one being Great Britain, where this guy was clearly from.  The tips of the masts and spars are painted white.  All wood.

Hull and Paint ... The hull is hand carved and hand stained natural colors.  Lots of details on deck.  The hull contains strips of wood that look like individual planks -- I can't tell though if they wre laminated or not.  But it's a nice look regardless.  Underneath the hull is the glue that keeps the hull stuck to the bottle.  Above, I made reference to the individual's signature touches, and the identification of this ship model.  There is no sea resin as such. 

Diorama ... None.  This guy never did a diorama, at least that I've seen.  Why?  Well, when you're this good at rigging and adding details to the ship model, who needs a diorama to add realism.  It's already realistic.  The maker of this SIB wanted to demonstrate his talent.  That talent is considerable.

It's very lovely.  Those who have eyes shall see ...

Boilerplate Stuff.   I'm putting a low starting figure on this SIB, but that low number in no way reflects the value of this item.  With its age and great condition, this is a strong piece of folk art that will only increase in value through the years.  If you have any questions about my descriptions, check out my 100% feedback.  You'll see a lot of repeat customers from all over the world -- from US to Europe and Australia.  Why do people buy multiple SIBs from me?  Because they know my descriptions are accurate.  I have made a lot of friends from eBay buyers who know I do my best to give everyone all the details. 

Overall, this is an amazing and wonderfully old SIB.  It's value can expect to climb, if anyone is interested in this more as an investment.  You don't find many SIBs this old that are for sale on eBay.  It is a true antique, and a very attractive one at that.

eBay is supposed to be fun!  Life is short.  Enjoy the ride.  Send me a note.  Always love chatting with fellow lovers of SIBs.

Don't hesitate to ask questions regarding this item: RMYKL@comcast.net

Shipping Cost:  Flat rate for domestic USPS shipping is $14.00, which includes insurance.  For other items and International rates, please write to me to request a quote.  (Repeat buyers always get a discounted rate for shipping.  When possible, I will combine postage for two sibs purchased at the same time.)

The Fine Print:  Payment required within five days of auction closing.  Items are in used condition and sold "as is" and may have normal signs of wear and tear consistent with its age; however, significant defects or imperfections are always noted in the detailed description.  I will not assume liability for any item lost or broken in transit.  International Buyers are solely responsible for any customs fees or duties in the country of destination.