A rare 18th century model of the Old Portsmouth, a six-gun admiralty ship, is the top lot of Charles Miller Ltd's Maritime and Scientific Models auction on October 30 in London.
The actual vessel launched in 1741 and sailed until 1832. The 1:32 scale model is expected to make £20,000-30,000 ($32,135-48,204).
 The real Old Portsmouth launched in 1741 |
Model ships were often carved during the shipbuilding process in order to show proposed design adjustments and to allow financiers to view the finished article.
A rare 19th century Dieppe model for an early paddle steamer carries an £8,000-12,000 ($12,856-19,284) valuation - and features highly detailed representations of the ships mechanics.
It comes presented in an ebonised display case.
An exceptionally large Narwhal tusk will be another highlight of the sale - and features with a £10,000-15,000 ($16,066-24,099) estimate.
It comes with a silvered plaque that bears the inscription: "PRESENTED TO CORNELIUS FUDGE, MASTER AT ARMS / BY HIS MESSMATES, AS A MARK OF RESPECT & ESTEEM / ON HIS LEAVING HMS 'LONDON' AT ZANZIBAR / TO RETIRE FROM THE SERVICE. SEPTEMBER, 1881".
Narwhal tusks are actually elongated teeth, and are generally considered to be sensory organs that play a role in determining social hierarchies.
Previous examples have sold for impressive figures in the past, with one achieving $13,000 in Beverly Hills in 2012.
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