Great American model-shop
Art Deco in ship replicas
Fleets of 1930s-1950s in miniature
© 2015 Scherbak Ship Models. All rights for text and pictures reserved.
© 2015 Scherbak Ship Models. All rights for text and pictures reserved.
Charles K.Van Ryper
(1891-1964) started his ship modeling business in 1933 by opening little workshop on Martha's Vineyard island in old town Vineyard Heaven. Initial idea was simple - to make inexpensive models of merchant ships for people who sail on them - as souvenirs. Realization
of this idea in the time of hand made crafts led him to developing his own unique
style of models - simplified, with basic details, but immediately recognizable by they appearance. This way so-called Travel
Series of wooden 9-11" ship models was born. Models were nicely hand made of wood with some metal wire parts, beautifully
hand painted in original liveries. This series was growing with amazing speed and in catalog of1937 more then 250 model ships
of all nations were offered! These models became a bright representation of ART
DECO style in 3D miniature. As special orders Van Ryper shop built larger (13-18")
and sometimes more detailed versions of these little models
Another group of models were made from blueprints with exact architecture and hull lines, finely detailed, including
railings, stairs, rigging. Most common scale for such models was 1:384, or 32 feet to1 inch. Larger models were made too,
as displays for shipping companies, dockyards, as gifts for special occasions, such as inauguration of the ships, etc.
During
World War 2 Van Ryper's shop mostly built models for US Maritime Commission and American shipyards, all types of war-time
fighting and merchant ships in grey color - they are outstanding examples of ship models in very attractive desktop sizes.
After war, shop returned to merchant
ships in their peaceful liveries. By late 1950s due to raising costs, declining merchant marine, and also health problems,
Van Ryper decided to seize operation of his shop. In 1960 production was stopped. Show room was open 2 more years and remaining
models were sold.
Today Van Ryper models
are rare and valuable collectables, representing all types of ships of all maritime nations during pike of the Ocean Liner
Era.
© 2015 Scherbak Ship Models. All rights for text and pictures reserved.
No picture, design or text from this website can be copied and used without written approval
of Scherbak Ship Models.
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