Book review Book Review: "17th and 18th Century Ship Models - from the KRIEGSTEIN COLLECTION" by Arnold and Henry Kriegstein

[Uwek]

Book Review:
17th and 18th Century Ship Models -
from the KRIEGSTEIN COLLECTION
by Arnold and Henry Kriegstein

• Hardcover
• Verlag: Pier Books and Dupont Communication; Auflage: First American Edition. (2007)
• ISBN-10: 0975577247
• ISBN-13: 978-0975577240
• Verpackungsabmessungen: 30,2 x 25,7 x 1,8 cm
• Produktgewicht inkl. Verpackung: 3,1 pounds

214 pp; Printed in a Limited Edition of 1,000 copies. Landscape format;





SYNOPSIS:

an extraordinary photographic record with extensive details of the personal collection of 17th and 18th century ship models by the Kriegstein brothers. The 20 vessels shown here are each presented with a series of lavish, exceptionally fine quality, full-color photos in extraordinary details and clarity. The accompanying text gives the details of the model's aquisition, provenance, description, construction and historical perspective. Additional chapters include a Queene Anne figurehead presented in same manner as the ship models; photojournalism in the 17th century and details on care and conservation of models.

Elegant book with about 200 detailed color paintings and photographs of model ships from the 17th and 18th centuries. With commentaries including details of the model's aquisition, provenance, description, construction and history.





CONTENTS:

Acknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction

1 The Royal James 1st rate of 1671
- Lucifer at the helm: terror tactics in the age of sail

2 A Charles II 4th rate circa 1680
– A "frigate" ahead of its time / Evolution through natural selection

3 The Coronation 2nd rate of 1685
- England's great loss by a storm of wind

4 The Adventure 5th rate of 1691
- The "Glorious Revolution" incites a failed counter-revolution

5 A William & Mary 4th rate circa 1695
- identifying ships at sea

6 A Queen Anne 3rd rate circa 1702
- The line of battle influences ship design

7 A Queen Anne Royal Barge
- An Admiral's barge conveys Sir Cloudsley Shovel from one tragic fate to another

8 The Marlborough 2nd rate of 1706
- Carved and gilded decorations disappear on models and ships

9 The Diamond 4th rate of 1708
- Failure of the Darien Scheme promotes the Union of England and Scotland

10 A Queen Anne 3rd rate circa 1710
- Launching of men-of-war

11 An Admirals Barge circa 1710
- The invasion of England is aided by a ship model collection

12 The Royal Oak 3rd rate of 1713
- Oak leaves conceal a King

13 A Georgian Admiral's Barge
- The elusive craftsmen who converted warships into works of art

14 The Lion 4th rate of 1738
- The Lion and the young pretender

15 A George II 4th rate circa 1745
- The establishment stifles innovation

16 The Namur 3rd rate of 1746
- The Namur and the War of Jenkins' Ear

17 A ship's boat circa 1750
- A feat of navigation such as the world had never seen

18 The Carcass bomb of 1758
- The Carcass bomb launches a hero's career

19 The Aetna bomb of 1776
- Fire and brimstone, wood and canvas

20 The Genereux 3rd rate of 1785
- Modeling a prize

21 A Queen Anne figurehead
- The master carver at work

22 Ship Models in Perspective
- When Men-of-War were Works-of-Art

23 Photojournalism in the 17th Century
- Willem Van de Velde the elder and younger portray the wooden worship

24 Care and Conservation
- Averting the ravages of dust, light, heat, damp, dryness, trauma, and consumption

25 Fakes and Forgeries
- The Good, the Bad, and the Phony

Index



















Due to the fact, that it is not available any more in new version, I was longer time looking around for it. It is worth every Euro I paid.
Beautiful models, exceptional good photos and very informative text - If you are interested in this period and in contemporary ship models
- Highly recommended !!

 

[Antonio Fangueiro]

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Recently I have been investigating and learning more about the colour ships of this era and 18th century would have below the waterline, and basically that would be the so called white, black or brown stuff.
But I found curious that it is extremely rare to find a period model with the black tone. Finally in this book I see 2 models which are showing it; the 1671 Royal James and the 1680 4th rate.
By chance anybody knows other period examples of models with black under hulls? We are so much "bombarded" by the more appealing look of the white, light brown or later copper hull that we forget ships also looked like these 2 in the images, and so, I find them more special .

 

[Roger Pellett]

That ‘s a nice book! Until I read your post, I didn’t realize that only 1000 copies were printed. Both Kriegstein brothers attended the 2010 Nautical Research Guild Conference in Annapolis, MD. Both signed my book.

Roger

 

[Bryian]

I have this book. I purchased it a few years ago, and it’s a great reference piece.

 

[Uwek]

Here is one example with dark brown paint below the waterline

The hulls of contemporary models were often painted, when they were made and carved out of one piece of wood.

Georgian full hull model of a warship of 18 guns, circa 1715

Full hull model | Royal Museums Greenwich

www.rmg.co.uk

 

[Antonio Fangueiro]

Thanks Uwek.
Still, it is quite puzzling why black tarred hulls were never used in the models.

 

[Alan Smith]

Black paint below the waterline strongly suggests the use of tar or pitch- based finishes. There were the 'cheap option' since the avoided the use of more costly materials like white lead and boiled linseed oil, though they may well have incorporated sulphur as an antifouling aid. I suspect the scarcity of black hulled models reflects the fact that this was known to be the cheapest finish, more often used on a fishing smack than a warship, and because of that lacked 'class'.

 

[Uwek]

One reason that any painting is missing (black, brown, black) is also the fact,
that at this time most of the models are showing no planking below the waterline.
Admirality style of POF with reduced "P"

 

[Antonio Fangueiro]

I found this resume of tar and lime usually combined together. It seems to make full sense, meaning that in fact we see no black hull models simply because the tar was "hidden" by the lime coating, and eventually the "brown stuff".
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During the Age of Sail, the combination of tar and lime was a traditional and cost-effective method used to protect the hulls of wooden ships below the waterline. This practice aimed to combat rot, marine fouling, and infestations of shipworms (Teredo navalis), which could severely damage wooden structures.

How Tar and Lime Were Used Together:​

1. Base Layer of Tar:
   
   • Tar was applied as a waterproofing agent to seal the wood, making it resistant to water ingress and rot.
   • It provided a sticky, resinous surface that offered limited protection against shipworms and fouling organisms.
2. Application of Lime:
   
   • Lime (often in the form of a whitewash or slaked lime) was spread over the tarred surface.
   • Lime had mild antifouling properties, as its alkalinity created an environment less conducive to the attachment of marine organisms.
3. Effectiveness:
   
   • The tar created a protective, water-resistant barrier, while the lime added a layer that deterred some fouling and offered additional insulation against pests.
   • However, this method was not as durable or effective as later innovations, such as copper sheathing, and required regular maintenance.

Advantages:​

• Cost-Effectiveness:
  • Both tar and lime were inexpensive and readily available materials, making this approach accessible for a wide range of shipowners.
• Ease of Application:
  • The process was straightforward and could be carried out relatively quickly during routine maintenance.

Disadvantages:​

• Limited Lifespan:
  • The tar and lime layers wore away quickly due to the abrasive effects of water and marine activity, necessitating frequent reapplications.
• Moderate Protection:
  • While it provided some resistance, it was not a foolproof solution against severe fouling or persistent infestations.

The tar-and-lime method was a practical solution for wooden ship maintenance before the advent of more advanced technologies like copper sheathing in the late 18th century. It was widely used by merchant and naval vessels until better alternatives became available.