Carved and laminated period half hull of Yacht America on its original Fancy backboard, American circa 1851. The model is painted black above the waterline and has a natural wood finish below. Like many of the best half models of this period, between each lift are thin layers of wood of a much lighter color that helps define the shape of the hull. This model has a rarely seen feature having nine vertical lines or stations starting a bit back from the bow and are evenly spaced up to a few inches before the stern. The bow has shows the well-known and unique curved carved trail boards like the one seen in all the images of America.
in detailed carved relief. The stern has an applied stern-board eagle like the one that was on "Yacht America". There is an applied keel that rounds down the bow and across the keel running at an angle towards the stern and continues up the stern. Applied to the rudder post is the rudder.
The model is mounted in its fancy original backboard. There is a highly figured piece of walnut or other hard wood that supports the model. There model's backboard has a very decorative rosewood applied wood veneered band that wraps the perimeter of the model, and it is about an inch and a half wide. This fancy molding that is raised where it meets the mounting board and angles down to the edge. Where the backboard molding meets the mounting around the perimeter is a beading thin molding strip and applied to the end of the backboard is a raised thin strip of wood molding.
One of the most famous beautiful half hull half model’s that was created by George Steers the designer of “Yacht America” to be given to Queen Victoria that has been located at the Mariners Museum and Gardens in Newport News Virginia. This model is highly similar to the one described here except for two silver plaques that are applied to the Queen Victoria Presentation model. Both models are painted black above the water line and natural wood below. The “Victoria model also has the thin light contrasting wood slivers between the laminated lefts. Both models have raised curved trail boards, as well as the flame grain back board and the sloping rosewood trim around border. The Steer’s model measures 11Inches in Height and 55 inches in width and this models backboard measures height 12 ½ x 45 ½ inches in width. Thar actual measurement of the Steers hull is unknown at this time.
Reference: “The Holy Grail of yachting: The Art of America’s Cup (1851) Volume 1” pages 136-144. By Alan Granby and Janice Hyland and Published by The America3 Foundation in 2015. These pages discuss the four Steers presentation models. Page 136 states “In contrast to the fine but unadorned working model, the four Steers presentation models were mounted on handsome backboards with engraved silver plaques. One of these models was offered to Queen Victoria; a second for which was presented to Emperor Napoleon III of France; a third to Czar Nicholas I of Russia, and the fourth to the United States Navy.” (SM0716)
Dimensions of model above back board - Length 45 1/2", Height - 12 1/2", Deep 4", Thickness of Backboard 3/4"
Dimensions of Steers Model Back Board - Length 55 1/2", Height - 11"
Dimensions of Hull for model above Length 37 1/2", Height 6" 3/8", Deep 4", Thickness of Backboard 3/4"
Steers Model Dimensions
Dimensions of Steers Model Back Board - Length 55 1/2", Height - 11 1/4", Thickness 1"
Dimensions of Hull for Steers Model Length 5 1/2", Height 5 3/8 Deep?
Dimensions of Steers Model Back Board - Length 55 1/2", Height - 11"