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New and looking for information

J

Jeremiah

Joined
Jan 19, 2026
Messages
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Hello everyone. I have recently come into possession of a model of the USS GENESEE (1862) done by Fred. C. Nagel. In my research I have read that he and his models were/are possibly well known. I have contacted through email a few places that Mr Nagels models have been shown. I would be interested in more information than can be found online as I have been sent the same information a few times in the email responses i received. It seems Mr Nagel did not have a book or anything documenting his work over his years. New Information I did receive (from a very nice lady, Mary Van Dahm, at the Nautical research guild) is that the sister ship, the USS Tallapoosa 1864, by Mr Nagel also, resides at the Mariners Museum, Newport News, VA. I only found 2 other models of Mr Nagels for sale online, but that isn’t the best way to estimate value (even though on of the is very very similar) so I’m guessing that his models end up in museums and art galleries and most likely by now, private possession. I have a few emails out requesting an appraisal, but in in the mean time, I’m always interested in more information (on the model) or possible personal interactions/knoledge of/with him while he was still alive. I will post a few photos of the model. They aren’t great as they were action site photos.

Thanks

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I wonder how many hours it takes to make something that detailed. 100s? It really is nice looking .
 
Welcome, and you should be proud to be the new owner of this beautiful ship.

Might try the search option here to see if the ship name or builder are listed anywhere.
 
You were lucky to connect with Mary Van Dahm. She certainly is a lovely lady and very knowledgeable. Fred C. Nagel is, or was, a well-known 20th century ship modeler. Yours is a high-quality scale ship model executed with what appears to be a high level of historical accuracy. The subject, being a U.S. Navy Civil War warship of historical note will, I expect, make it particularly desirable to prospective buyers. I expect its quality, subject matter, and artist place it in the upper echelons of market value for models of its type, but, as with all serious works of art, its actual value remains what a willing buyer will pay for it at the time of sale. As investment grade ship models are a highly specialized niche in the marine art marketplace, which reportedly is not as active at present as it once was, and as a model such as yours is not an "impulse purchase," in order to realize its highest and best price it will require professional presentation to the relatively small community of museums and private collectors of such models. Customarily, models of this quality are sold at auction by a top-tier auction house or personally brokered by a top-tier marine art gallery, preferably one of the very few that specialize in ship models. Additionally, an experienced marketing representative will be able to insure the model as needed during the process and arrange for its safe handling and shipping by an experienced shipping company specializing in fine art works. (This model is not an item to sell on eBay and ship off in a box full of packing peanuts via FedEx!)

Such models are frequently offered at auctions held by the major auction houses such as Christie's, Sotheby's, and Bonham's which hold auctions of high value maritime items once or twice a year. Of particular note is the auction house of Charles Miller, Ltd. in London, which only handles ship models, maritime paintings, maritime historical ephemera, and other high value nautical items both at their auction rooms in London and internationally vial online virtual auctions. (See: https://www.charlesmillerltd.com/about/).

High quality ship models such as yours are also sold by specialty marine art galleries. Two of note are the J. Russel Jinishian Gallery in Stonington, CT (https://www.jrusselljinishiangallery.com/pagen) and The American Marine Models Gallery in Gloucester, MA (https://www.shipmodel.com/) Yours is not a model that should be consigned to a general antique dealer!

As you may have discovered in your online research, Mr. Nagel is identified in The American Marine Models Gallery artist's bio listing below as having been born in 1925, I doubt he is still with us. His work was presented by this highly prestigious gallery operated by Mr. Michael Wall. As I understand it, Mr. Wall is in the process of winding down his gallery business and transitioning to retirement but remains in business at present and is still available by phone at (978) 281-1166 and email at wall@shipmodel.com. If you haven't already done so, I'd urge you to contact Mr. Wall, who should be able to provide substantial information on Mr. Nagel's work and how best to market your model. Mr. Wall has also long worked as a ship model appraiser, and I expect would be available to provide a valuation appraisal should you wish to commission him to prepare one.

Good luck with your endeavors! It's a lovely model!

Fred C. Nagel (1925 – )​

Mr. Nagel’s ship models and sculpture have won awards in juried competition and been shown in galleries in Florida, Virginia, Indiana, New York City and the Chicago area from 1983 to present. Venues have included the Glenn Gallery, the Longboat Key Art Center, the North Shore Art League, Southern Illinois University Museum, Foster-Harmon Galleries of American Art, and North Star Gallery. His models can be seen at San Francisco Maritime Museum, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Port Columbus Civil War Naval Center; Great Lakes Historical Society; Houston Maritime Museum, and Vicksburg Battlefield Museum.

 
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Bob Cleek said:
You were lucky to connect with Mary Van Dahm. She certainly is a lovely lady and very knowledgeable. Fred C. Nagel is, or was, a well-known 20th century ship modeler. Yours is a high-quality scale ship model executed with what appears to be a high level of historical accuracy. The subject, being U.S. Navy Civil War warship of historical note will, I expect, make it particularly desirable to prospective buyers. I expect its quality, subject matter, and artist place it in the upper echelons of market value for models of its type, but, as with all serious works of art, its actual value remains what a willing buyer will pay for it at the time of sale. As investment grade ship models are a highly specialized niche in the marine art marketplace, which reportedly is not as active at present as it once was, and as a model such as yours is not an "impulse purchase," in order to realize its highest and best price it will require professional presentation to the relatively small community of museums and private collectors of such models. Customarily, models of this quality are sold at auction by a top-tier auction house or personally brokered by a top-tier marine art gallery, preferably one of the very few that specialize in ship models. Additionally, an experienced marketing representative will be able to insure the model as needed during the process and arrange for its safe handling and shipping by an experienced shipping company specializing in fine art works. (This model is not an item to sell on eBay and ship off in a box full of packing peanuts via FedEx!)

Such models are frequently offered at auctions held by the major auction houses such as Christie's, Sotheby's, and Bonham's which hold auctions of high value maritime items once or twice a year. Of particular note is the auction house of Charles Miller, Ltd. in London, which only handles ship models, maritime paintings, maritime historical ephemera, and other high value nautical items both at their auction rooms in London and internationally vial online virtual auctions. (See: https://www.charlesmillerltd.com/about/).

High quality ship models such as yours are also sold by specialty marine art galleries. Two of note are the J. Russel Jinishian Gallery in Stonington, CT (https://www.jrusselljinishiangallery.com/pagen) and The American Marine Models Gallery in Gloucester, MA (https://www.shipmodel.com/) Yours is not a model that should be consigned to a general antique dealer!

As you may have discovered in your online research, Mr. Nagel is identified in The American Marine Models Gallery artist's bio listing below as having been born in 1925, I doubt he is still with us. His work was presented by this highly prestigious gallery operated by Mr. Michael Wall. As I understand it, Mr. Wall is in the process of winding down his gallery business and transitioning to retirement but remains in business at present and is still available by phone at (978) 281-1166 and email at wall@shipmodel.com. If you haven't already done so, I'd urge you to contact Mr. Wall, who should be able to provide substantial information on Mr. Nagel's work and how best to market your model. Mr. Wall has also long worked as a ship model appraiser, and I expect would be available to provide a valuation appraisal should you wish to commission him to prepare one.

Good luck with your endeavors! It's a lovely model!

Fred C. Nagel (1925 – )​

Mr. Nagel’s ship models and sculpture have won awards in juried competition and been shown in galleries in Florida, Virginia, Indiana, New York City and the Chicago area from 1983 to present. Venues have included the Glenn Gallery, the Longboat Key Art Center, the North Shore Art League, Southern Illinois University Museum, Foster-Harmon Galleries of American Art, and North Star Gallery. His models can be seen at San Francisco Maritime Museum, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Port Columbus Civil War Naval Center; Great Lakes Historical Society; Houston Maritime Museum, and Vicksburg Battlefield Museum.

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Wow! Thank you so much. I will look into all the places you mentioned. Mary Van Dahm sent me the contact information for the appraiser she regularly recommends for this type of art, Debra Rhodes Smith. She is a very nice lady as well. As for Mr Wall, he was my first contact at the beginning of all this research. He was, let’s say, dismissive to say the least, so I left it there and continued on to other people.

Thank you again for your great message
 
Jeremiah said:
As for Mr Wall, he was my first contact at the beginning of all this research. He was, let’s say, dismissive to say the least, so I left it there and continued on to other people.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that Mr. Wall was less than helpful. I guess he's really ready for his planned retirement. :D I don't know either of them, but of the two, from what I've read and heard, Jinishian is a lot more fun than Wall. Try giving him a call. Wall is retiring anyway.

Also, your post reminded me to check in on Charles Miller's website. (https://www.charlesmillerltd.com/) Unlike many auction houses, he posts past sales results on his website. (See the menu bar at the top of his home page.) I follow his sales to keep up with the market, primarily for my own entertainment. I noticed he has a menu item, "Appraisals." On that page, it turns out they do valuations gratis, although if you want an insurance valuation, they'll charge you something for writing it up. If you don't want a written valuation "suitable for framing," they encourage inquires and promise to give a valuation opinion. Pretty good deal.
 
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