Hyland Granby Antiques

Model of British Yacht "ISOLDE"- Price Upon Request

Important model of the British yacht 'ISOLDE', English, 1895.  The model is copper painted below the waterline and white above.  There are a pair of thin gold boot stripes that run along the hull just below the top rail.  Near the stern, these boot stripes transition into vine decorations. The model has an applied snub mast and an applied bowsprit.  The model is mounted on a beautifully grained mahogany backboard with a molded edge. The backboard retains its original brass hangers. The bottom left corner retains the original ivorine plaque which states:  'ISOLDE' 40 RATING CUTTER DESIGNED FOR PETER DONALDSON ESQ. BY WILLIAM FIFE JUNR. 1895 (SM0654)
Condition:  The model has a few scrapes and a few losses along the upper edge.  Both the painted and natural wood surfaces are untouched and have beautiful age patina.  
Accompanying the model are two photographs bearing the blind stamp of the marine photographer 'William U Kirk & Sons Cowes.' One photograph is captioned in ink:'Isolde' 52ft. linear rating.  The other is caption 'Isolde' 66.02 linear rating
Reference:  'British Yachts and Yachtsmen', London: Yachtsmen Publishing Company, 1907, p. 390. 'Peter Donaldson was one of the most enthusiastic yachtsmen of the Clyde.  In 1895, he built and raced ISOLDE, 65-footer, a phenomenally successful boat, which brought him into the front rank of racing owners'. 
Note:  William Fife, Jr. was one of the most celebrated yacht designers of the world.  He designed the first Shamrock to race in the America's Cup, 1898, for Sir Thomas Lipton. 
Dimensions of model:  Height 10 1/2 inches; Length 38 inches.
Dimensions of photos:  Image size 8 3/4 x 10 3/4.
Dimensions of frame:  15 3/8 x 16 3/4.