This is one of the most beautiful scale models of a working schooner one could want. It was built in the years 1928 - 1932 by Junius S. Morgan, the grandson of the famous American financier Jonh Pierpont Morgan. Junius Morgan Jr. graduated harvard in 1914, served in the US Navy in WW-I aboard destroyers, and went into the world of finance as was expected of a 'Morgan'. However, he was very interested in marine architecture. During the building of this model he served as Commodore of the New York Yacht Club and was also active in the development of yachts built to defent the 'America's Cup'

This model of the 'JOHN B', a classic Bahamian fishing schooner, has excellent lines and exceptional detail. It is built to the scale of 1/2" = 1'. Standing and running rigging are complete with all lines properly placed and tied off. Cabin and deckhouse have working hatches and wood shuttered ports - deck detail is complete to fish/lobster trap, water casks, the crew's cooking brazier and utensils! The schooner's boat is a work of art in itself with all ribs in place. Mr. Morgan carved this boat from a pine block to precise lines he had drawn. His expertise as a wood carver is evident in that this boat was carved inside and out leaving a hull thickness of 3/16" or less. The Schooner's hull was also carved from a single large pine block with an applied stern board. The cabin and deck house lift off the hull and one can see Morgan's chisel cuts scooping out the hull's interior. He also signed the interior of the hull when he finished the model 'JSM', 1932'.

The 'JOHN B' is in excellent condition retaining its original surface - paint and varnish with excellent patina and untouched crackelure. The rigging is also in excellent condition.

Junius Morgan's original pencil drafts of the hull lines for the schooner and ship's boat can be found rolled up inside the hull beneath the cabin along with a notebook containing his notes on rigging and other details he observed on the actual Bahamian schooner the model represents. There is also a period framed photograph of what we believe is the actual schooner with typed note indicating this model was loaned for public exhibit some time in the past.

It is our opinion that Junius Morgan was taken with the beauty and seaworthiness of the Bahama Schooner and had to build this most impressive model. Since he was involved in marine architecture and yacht design it is very possible he envisioned a yacht built to the lines of this schooner which would have been a very comfortable and seaworthy cruising boat.

This beautiful and impressive model, with its fine credentials, superb quality, and excellent condition would be a fine pieced for a nautical collector, or anyone wanting an example of the best of its type.

Please view the seven pages of overall and detail pictures of this model on our website found by clicking on the thumbnail picture on our home page and then following the directions on the upper picture on each page.

 

Dimensions: overall length 70 ", beam 13 1/2 ", overall height 57 "

Price, $8500.00

Please call for more information on this item.

(401) 849-6844 or (401) 846-0538