Beschreibung:

A detailed wooden model, approximately 17.5" in length, housed in a 20.75" x 6.5" x 4.5" pine and glass case. A hand lettered paper on wood label identifies the vessel as "Schlachtschiff - Bismarck / ges. am 27.5.41." The top of the case is adorned with a carved, spread wing Nazi eagle and swastika, the reverse dated "1942" in pencil. On the reverse is painted "Gravenhurst Camp / Medicine Hat / Alra." Model superstructure details include gun turrets, signal masts, flags and life boats. Constructed of various shades of scrap wood, string and paper using simple tools by an unidentified German POW held at a camp in Canada. Research shows that the prisoners at this camp, know as 132, made a specialty of manufacturing ship models and several other examples with Camp 132 provenance are in the collections of Canadian museums. This particular model came into the possession of the camp dentist and was passed down to his son, later passing through the hands of several collectors. The model is accompanied by two photocopies of newspaper articles outlining some of the model's history by one of its past owners. The known exhibition history of this model includes displays at the U.S. Naval War College Museum, Newport, RI and The Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, New York, NY. Condition: Very good; the model has undergone some restoration as outlined in the accompanying articles including the re-attaching lose pieces and replacing the flags and rigging strings. The eagle was broken at the feet above the wreath and has been repaired.