The maritime art and ship models collection of the MBNA Corporation is to be offered at Heritage Auctions on October 27.
The sale will take place at the US Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. More than 300 lots will be offered, including 100 unique scale models of famous ships.
Heritage's Nick Dawes commented: "The collection was assembled by the MBNA Corporation, at one time the largest independent credit card issuer in the world. It runs the gamut from early 19th century to modern day paintings and models, representing maritime trade, exploration, warfare and recreation from the discovery of America to the Americas Cup."
 Reynard's works shows some of the finest British ships of the era |
A highlight of the auction will be Stephen J Reynard's West Wind, Britannia, White Heather, Shamrock and Lulworth in the Solent, 1927, depicting some of Britain's finest ships of the era. One of three Reynard works offered in the sale, it will sell with a $30,000-50,000 estimate.
This estimate appears to be a fitting one; a similar work from the artist, depicting the New York Yacht Club Cruise, sold for $49,000 at Christie's in 2008.
 Buttersworth was an English painter who moved to the US in 1845 |
The highest estimate of the sale goes to James Edward Buttersworth's United States, which is expected to realise $60,000-80,000, despite "large areas of in-painting" and significant restorations.
Selling with the highest valuation among the ship models is a superb recreation of the HMS Victory, the famous flagship of Lord Nelson. Fully rigged and presented in a wood and glass case, it is estimated at $10,000-15,000 and will be sold without reserve.
See the results of this sale here.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a range of Admiral Nelson collectibles currently available, including a snuff box depicting the Amalfi coast and an authentic lock of his hair.
