Charles Miller Ltd
Lot 325
AN EXHIBITION STANDARD 1:32 SCALE STATIC DISPLAY MODEL OF THE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL YACHT QUEEN VICTORIA , ORIGINALLY BUILT BY J. SAMUEL WHITE AT EAST COWES, 1846 modelled by A. Baranov from his own researches, in alder, pear and black hornbeam woods, the hull sheathed below the waterline with ebonised topsides and finely chased brass bow and stern decoration and finely carved figurehead of the queen, the planked decks with treenails and fittings including metal anchors with bound wooden stocks, anchor winch with hawse pipes, belaying rails and pins, deck and saloon lights with glazing, metal bilge pump with eccentric crank shaft, covered companionways with panelled sides and seats, brass binnacle and helm, two finely constructed lifeboats swung-out in davits, racked masts with standing and running rigging with bound blocks and tackle, and full suit of stitched linen sails, mounted on two brass supports to ebonised display base -- overall measurements 43 x 54in. (109 x 137cm.) Provenance: This model was awarded gold at the All Russian Shipmodelling Competition Championship, 2017; and silver in the Ukrainian Shipmodelling Championship, 2012 This lot will be available for viewing at Imperial RoadFootnote: With ‘Russophobia’ on the rise since 1820 over tensions with India and elsewhere, the British Government, capitalising on the new Queen's youth and in an attempt to break with the past, presented this yacht as a diplomatic gift to Tsar Nicholas I. Built by Joseph White of Cowes and registered at 95ft long with a 22ft beam, it was supposed to be launched at midday 10th June 1846 in the presence of the Grand Duke Constantine and Queen Victoria, but as it turned out, the Victoria & Albert aboard which they were travelling was delayed and so in the event the Russian consul smashed a bottle of Lacryma Christi over the bow and launched her. The I.Y. Queen Victoria was indeed splendidly appointed with ceremonial cabins decorated with rosewood and maple with a bird's-eye texture and a gilt full length figurehead of the Queen herself and became the first yacht of the St. Petersbury Yacht Club, founded by Nicholas on the 1 st May the same year. A great success, she raced for many seasons and her life was extended by a substantial refit, but by 1884 she was worn out and had to be broken up.Condition report: Fine condition overall.
