A FINELY DETAILED AND PRESENTED 1:75 SCALE MODEL OF THE ARCT...

Hammer

£5,000

A FINELY DETAILED AND PRESENTED 1:75 SCALE MODEL OF THE ARCTIC AND POLAR EXPLORATION VESSEL FRAM [1892]

the 20in. hull planked over a former with retractable propeller and rudder with reinforced bow and stern, planked decks with details including capstan, winches, ventilators, anchors, deck lights, bilge pumps, companionways, retractable funnel with hooter, four covered lifeboats and davits, binnacle, helm on steering gear with chains, masts with standing and running rigging, yards and lightning conductors, ship's bell, mounted on ebonized cradle stand within the glazed case -- 28 x 34½ x 13in. (71 x 87.5 x 33cm.) overall

Fram ("Forward"), built in 1892, was designed by Colin Archer (1832-1921) a Norwegian naval architect born to Scottish emigre parents to the express order of Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930), the 'grandfather' of Norwegian polar exploration, for his 1893-96 polar expedition. Learning from previous failed attempts, Nansen instructed Archer to create a vessel like no other: I propose to have a ship built as small and as strong as possible - just big enough to contain supplies.. for twelve men for five years.. The main point is that it be built on such principles as to enable it to withstand the pressure of ice... Instead of nipping the ship, the ice must raise if up out of the water. Massively built, smooth-sided and double-ended, without a keel or garboard strakes, the stem was 4ft thick, the frames 21in. wide and planked in 30-year-old 13in. oak. She measured just 127ft with a 34ft beam and 15ft draft displacing 402 tons. Rigged as a schooner but fitted with an auxiliary engine with enough coal for four months steaming, she was mainly used with sails and, whilst sea-worthy, the absence of keel allowed her to corkscrew and roll nearly all the time, and she was undoubtedly slow. She was in her true element when icebound and Nansen, and later Roald Amundsen (1872-1928) who brought Fram out of retirement in 1910 both returned home happy, healthy and triumphant from their respective expeditions. Fram has been preserved since 1936 at Bygdøy, Oslo, Norway.

Fine overall condition.