I am writing this because I see an increasing number of model ships sold on Ebay described as 'Museum Quality'. I have yet to see one so described that actually WAS museum quality.There are very strict terms governing everything from materials to paint finish laid down for model ships to be accepted by museums. Just run a search on Google and you will see what I mean. The finished ship models sold on ebay for the most part are mass produced in the Far East by artisans who have no historical concept of say, an 18th century fully rigged man of war but are able to follow detailed drawings and produce a facsimile of one fairly quickly.(and , more importantly, cheaply)

Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking these models for what they are, a decorative representation of a sailing ship, but that is all they are and I object to the term 'Museum quality' as if they are something you will find in the Smithsonian because you won't (except perhaps as folk art) So do buy these models if you like them and enjoy them but don't buy them as an 'investment' or thinking you are getting a museum grade item. Bottom line, you get what you pay for so bear that in mind when you look at these models. A fully rigged 18th century warship will take at least 6-9 months to build from scratch (accurately) by a skilled builder to museum standards. Therefore something that sells for 500 bucks is unlikely to have had much attention to detail lavished on it or taken more than a few days to build.

I am a museum designer/artist/modelmaker of some 20 years, and have work in Museums all over Europe and in private collections worldwide. I don't sell my work on ebay so have no alterior motive, but I do know what 'Museum Quality' means!!