A monumental German ship’s model of the ‘Reichspostdampfer’ Prinz Regent Luitpold late 19th century

executed in fine detail with a central chimney, geared masts, life boats, propellers, portholes, etc., the hull painted in red and white; together with the original German Renaissance style oak display cabinet on stand, with three inscribed metal plaques

Bismarck Museum Schönhausen, originally exhibited in the Kaiserzimmer;
Museum Rostock

Comparative literature

Kludas, Arnold: Die Geschichte der deutschen Passagierschiffahrt, Ernst Pagels, Hamburg 1986–1990;
Kludas, Arnold: Die Schiffe des Norddeutschen Lloyd 1857-1918, Köhlers Verlagsgesellschaft, Herford 1991 ;
Reinke-Kunze, Christine: Die Geschichte der Reichspostdampfer, Köhlers Verlagsgesellschaft, Herford 1994;
Seiler, Otto J. : Australienfahrt, E.S. Mittler & Sohn, Herford 1988.

The case of the ship formerly with a gallery to the upper section. The brass plaques are detached but present with the lot. The ship has not been inspected outside of its case but appears to be in good condition. The detail is of an extraordinary quality. With some old marks and scratches commensurate with age and use.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The Reichspostdampfer’  Prinzregent Luitpold together with her sister ship the Prinz Heinrich was one of the two steam driven 2 propeller ships built in 1893 by F. Schichau in Gdansk for the North German Lloyd (NDL). The ship was named after the Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria. The single chimney ships were especially prepared for trips to the tropics and proved themselves.

The Prince Regent Luitpold made her maiden voyage from Bremerhaven to Sydney on August 29^th 1894 and until 1896 was the leading ship of the NLD on the Imperial mail steamer lines to Australia. Her 22nd and last trip started on 11th May 1910. On May 1, 1897 she led a journey to New York and until 22 December 1900 nine more runs followed to that destination. Between 1902 and May 26, 1904 the Prince Regent Luitpold also made several trips to East Asia.

After returning from Australia the Prince Regent Luitpold, as before her sister ship, was rebuilt in 1910. She also received an additional upper structure deck and was now put into the Mediterranean / Levant service of the NLD, which because of various wars rarely continued into the Black Sea. In 1911 she served the direct service between Marseille and Alexandria, but was also used on other lines (such as Genoa -Bizerte-Alexandria, Marseille-Genoa –Alexandria) because all lines were subject to frequent changes due to the turbulent developments (Balkan wars, Turkish-Italian war etc.).

In August 1914 the Prince Regent Luitpold was decommissioned in Messina . When Italy entered war in WW I, the ship was seized on 25 May 1915 and used as a transporter. In 1918 it was renamed in Pietro Calvi and and finely scrapped in 1928.