The origins of the modern-style miniature waterline ship model can be traced back to the first years of the twentieth century and their use as identification aids by the military during the First World War that turned a small bespoke activity into an industry. Post war the manufacturers aimed their increasingly sophisticated products at collectors, and acquiring, modifying or scratch-building miniature ship models has been an avidly pursued hobby ever since. This book is the first comprehensive history of its development, the commercial rise and fall of companies, and the advancing technology that produces ever more detailed and accurate replicas. The author - himself a lifetime collector and builder of models - looks at the products of each manufacturer, past and present, rating their quality and suggesting why some are regarded as more collectible than others. An appendix listing the rarest and most desirable models is included. But the book deals with more than off-the-shelf models, covering subsidiary issues like painting, modifying and diorama settings, and is illustrated throughout with many of the finest examples of the genre. The combination of fascinating background information with stunning visual presentation will make this book irresistible to any collector or enthusiast. SALES The first real history of a popular hobby Illustrated throughout with colour and b/w photographs A guide to the qualities of every line ever produced commercially AUTHOR PAUL JACOBS is the editor of the 1:1250 scale section of the leading ship modelling website Steelnavy.com. He owns a huge collection of miniatures and is also a practical modelmaker.
