DFW Elite Toy Museum Releases Malcolm Forbes' Ships Back to Collectors

    FORT WORTH, TX, April 19, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- DFW Elite Toy Museum's Malcolm Forbes Ship Collection exhibition ended on March 31, and the museum has chosen to sell the model ships at Bonhams "Life on Board: Maritime Painting and Art" auction, on May 23, 2012.

"The ships from the Forbes' Collection were seen by so many people during our exhibition in the main gallery and at special events associated with it, but we have limited gallery space and have elected not to store the pieces from the exhibit," said Ron Sturgeon, the owner of the Fort Worth Toy Museum. Bonhams will offer the unique ship models that were part of the museum's exhibit at 10 am on May 23rd at its 580 Madison Avenue location. The last chance to see these pieces from the Forbes' Collection together will be at the auction viewing on May 19-20, 12:00 pm-5:00 pm; May 21, 10:00 am-7:00 pm; and May 22 10:00 am-5:00 pm.

Once part of the Forbes' Collection, the largest private model ship collection in the world, an 11' builder's model of the British passenger ship Rangitiki is the highlight of the collection. Builder's models are one-off and built to show the new owners of a vessel what it will look like when it is delivered. The auction estimate for this magnificent piece is $40,000 to $60,000.

Other pieces from the Forbes' Collection that the museum will be offering at the Bonhams' auction include an amazingly detailed 4' model of the paddle boat Tobermory (est. $6,000 to $8,000). Sturgeon's favorite, a 6' builder's model of the paddle steamer Swati is expected to fetch $10,000-$15,000.

DFW Elite Toy Museum Curator Rodney Ross's favorite from the recently closed exhibit is a cut-away sectional model of the British light cruiser H.M.S. Belfast (est. $10,000). "The Belfast is now a museum ship on display in London, but nothing gives quite as good a look at how the ship works as this model of the early 20th century warship."

Other ships include a static display model of the British composite clipper ship Torrens (72"), a display model of the Mississippi paddle wheeler Cape Girardeau (45"), a presentation model of the oil exploration vessel Ocean Labrador (63"), a display model of the British battleship H.M.S. Hood (84"), and a superbly crafted model of the steel hulled Barque L'Avenir (63"). Pictures and more information on the models are at http://www.dfwelitetoymuseum.com/boat-auction or by catalog from Bonhams.

When these models were in the Forbes' Collection, it was the largest private collection of maritime models in the world. The sale of a small part of that collection at Sotheby's raised $2.7 million. Collectors interested in the Forbes Collection ships can request a catalog via email at [email protected] or call 212 644 9001. Information in this news release by DFW Elite Toy Museum.

DFW Elite Toy Museum is at 5940 Eden in Fort Worth. The museum is open from 9 to 5 on weekdays and 9 to 4 on most Saturdays. For information on the museum, call Curator Rodney Ross at 817.834.3625 x6.

Website: http://www.dfwelitetoymuseum.com/

# # #