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An interesting Victorian experimental propulsion model, image 1
An interesting Victorian experimental propulsion model, image 2
An interesting Victorian experimental propulsion model, image 3
Lot 11

An interesting Victorian experimental propulsion model,

The Jonathan Minns Collection of Engineered and Other Models
22 September 2015, 13:00 BST
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £2,125 inc. premium

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An interesting Victorian experimental propulsion model,

Hull carved from hollowed timber, with clipper bow and elliptical stern. Varnished decks with inscribed plank lines. Sections of the deck remove to reveal a complex compound clockwork motor in brass and steel which drives a pair of propeller shafts, each fitted with two, twin blade propellers. Bearing an old acquisition mark on the keel 1861-6. On a stand. Hull: 35 1/2 ins (91cm) long x 6 1/2 ins (17cm) wide x 5 ins (13cm) high

Footnotes

Great advances were made in the design of the screw propeller in the mid 19th century, with the Iron steamship Great Britain of 1843 being fitted with a large six blade unit for her transatlantic crossing. The advent of higher speed engines, and especially the steam turbine required smaller diameter propellers and designers experimented with multiple units on each shaft to accommodate the loss of thrust and the problems of cavitation. Charles Parsons famed Turbinia of 1894 was fitted with similar multi-propeller shafts.

Additional information

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Original Superman 'Flying Costume' from the 1978 film 'Superman: The Movie', worn by American actor Christopher Reeve (1952-2004) in the flying scenes of the motion picture. Consisting of red wool cape with sewn-on logo, blue nylon top with sewn-on logo, blue nylon pants, yellow plastic belt and red leather boots. Also included is documentation regarding ownership history, unopened copy of the film (DVD), CD-ROM with catalogue material from Christie's, New York, July 2001, where the costume was last sold, and a color photograph of Christopher Reeve in one of the film's flying scenes. Zip waistband with the costume workshop's handwritten name, 'Nathans-Bermans CR [Christopher Reeve] Fly' ('Bermans & Nathans Ltd', London). The inside of the boots are labelled in pen, 'CR R 4' and 'CR L 4' for Christopher Reeve respectively. Both boot shafts also have remnants of sewn-on fabric labels on the inside. (14 items in total).

DKK800,000 - DKK1,000,000