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Boats & Ships Kits

Some of the earliest ship and boat models were made by prisoners of war from human, animal, or whale bones. Carved in astonishing detail, the ships were made during incarceration, often taking years or decades to create. These 18th- and 19th-century models were not production kits, but man-made models that are now highly sought after by collectors due to their amazing detail and folk art presence.

From early pond models to the historic galleon models from centuries past, wooden ship models have been produced since the 19th century. Wood made way for a host of other materials including tin, pressed steel, balsa wood, and finally, plastic. Plastic model kits gained popularity just after WWII, creating an interest in construction, history, and futuristic ideals, including the unique watercraft model for the epic movie “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” in 1954.

Today, boat and ship models are an art form created by computer imaging and 3-D printer models. They range from kits that fit into the palm of a hand to full-scale floatable battleships. Today, scale modeling, collecting, and fabricating is still what it has been since its heyday beginning in the ‘50s. Collectors today are largely nostalgic adults.


Quick Facts

  • A 20th century builder’s model of the RMS Mauretania in 1:64th scale sold in May 2015 at Charles Miller Auction for £135,000
  • The scale model for “Titanic” is the largest ship model ever built. Produced in nearly actual size using original blueprints, the massive model took years to complete on a 40-acre plot of land resting on the coastal shorelines of Mexico
  • ”20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” was published in 1870 and included the futuristic Nautilus ship. A 1954 production movie helped create a new level of model ship and submarine building, adding a new, unique design to the hobby

Recommended Items at Auction

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"SPEEDSTER" MODEL BOAT W/STAND
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
"SPEEDSTER" MODEL BOAT W/STAND
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$605 Bids
INBOARD SPEEDBOAT MODEL
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
INBOARD SPEEDBOAT MODEL
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$504 Bids
H. E. BOUCHER MODEL BOAT STEAM POWERED
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
H. E. BOUCHER MODEL BOAT STEAM POWERED
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$2254 Bids
CHRIS CRAFT BOAT KIT
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
CHRIS CRAFT BOAT KIT
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$254 Bids
SAKAI SPEED MOTOR IN ORIGINAL BOX
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
SAKAI SPEED MOTOR IN ORIGINAL BOX
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$904 Bids
CHRIS CRAFT UTILITY BOAT KIT
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
CHRIS CRAFT UTILITY BOAT KIT
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$203 Bids
"BARRACUDA" BOAT MODEL KIT
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
"BARRACUDA" BOAT MODEL KIT
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$503 Bids
I.M.P. RACE BOAT MODEL
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
I.M.P. RACE BOAT MODEL
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$452 Bids
OOPS WOODEN MOTORBOAT HYDROPLANE - NO SHIPPING
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
OOPS WOODEN MOTORBOAT HYDROPLANE - NO SHIPPING
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$702 Bids
SK-19 MODEL BOAT & REVELL MODEL
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
SK-19 MODEL BOAT & REVELL MODEL
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
SAILBOAT MODEL
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
SAILBOAT MODEL
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
POWERED MODEL BOAT & BOX
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
POWERED MODEL BOAT & BOX
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
OVER 4ft WOODEN SALESMAN SAMPLE CANOE WITH OARS - NO SHIPPING
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
OVER 4ft WOODEN SALESMAN SAMPLE CANOE WITH OARS - NO SHIPPING
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$701 Bid
ROWBOAT, CRAB TRAP & OARS
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
ROWBOAT, CRAB TRAP & OARS
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
HOBIE CAT CATAMARAN WOOD MODEL BOAT W/SAILS - PICKUP ONLY
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
HOBIE CAT CATAMARAN WOOD MODEL BOAT W/SAILS - PICKUP ONLY
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$250 Bids
5ft CANOE SALESMAN SAMPLE - PICKUP ONLY
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
5ft CANOE SALESMAN SAMPLE - PICKUP ONLY
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$1000 Bids
CANOE SALESMAN SAMPLE - 5 FEET LONG - PICKUP ONLY
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
CANOE SALESMAN SAMPLE - 5 FEET LONG - PICKUP ONLY
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$1000 Bids
LITTLE JON' A DUMAS BOAT KIT
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
LITTLE JON' A DUMAS BOAT KIT
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
SKI VEE - 10' A DUMAS BOAT KIT
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
SKI VEE - 10' A DUMAS BOAT KIT
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
LOT, 4 MODEL KITS
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
LOT, 4 MODEL KITS
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids
REVELL BOAT KIT & TIN BOAT
Feb 26, 4:00 PM EST
REVELL BOAT KIT & TIN BOAT
by Legacies Old & New, Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$100 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Boats & Ships Kits


Legacies Old & New, Inc.

Legacies Old & New, Inc.