A photograph album and photographs of model ships constructed by Mr E B Bell.
Date1920s
Object numberANMS1103
NameArchive series
MediumPaper, black and white photographs
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Pat Mundle
DescriptionA photograph album and loose photographs of model ships constructed by Mr E B Bell.HistoryMr E B Bell made ship models since he was a boy - from the 1870s. By 1928 he could write that he had 'the finest collection in existence'. He appears to have concentrated on sailing ships, in particular clipper ships that he notes were in 1928 'a thing of the past'.
His models included the 'China tea clippers' CUTTY SARK, THERMOPYLAE, SIR LANCELOT, NORMAN COURT, TITANIA, LEANDER, FIERY CROSS, EME, BELTED WILL, LOTHEAIR, UNDINE and LORD OF THE ISLES.
The folder of corrospondence contains letters from Bell about model making to a Mr Orman in Melbourne, as well as other overseas model makers, from the 1920s. Bell notes that he regularly had visitors from overseas coming to see his collection of ship models.SignificanceThe correspondence relates to an album and loose photographs of model ships that are a unique and interesting record of E B Bell's ship models. The photographs were taken to make the models appear life-like. They are an excellent record of Bell's prolific model making.
