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EnglishWhat Is American Marine Models (shipmodel.com)?
Updated
American Marine Models, LLC is a specialist ship model business founded and long operated by R. Michael Wall, devoted to the fine art of ship models since 1975. As of January 2023, Wall has transitioned to retirement: the former gallery-style or showroom business is no longer operated, and the gallery has been renamed American Marine Models, LLC. In retirement, Wall plans to complete his book, A Collectors Guide to Ship Models, and to act as a private consultant, appraiser, and broker between buyer and seller. A small selection of special inventory remains featured on the website.
What the site covers
The site centers on the sale of exceptional one-of-a-kind or investment-grade ship models, a specialty the gallery has held since 1975. Wall, as founder and managing director, has more than forty-five years of experience in fine ship models and is described as an expert on developing and maintaining collections of any size. He has advised and assisted in forming numerous private, corporate, and institutional collections, some featured in publications such as Architectural Digest and the Catalog of Antiques and Fine Art.
The site's stated services, reflected in its title, include:
- Ship models and custom models
- Restoration
- Appraisals
- Custom display units
Current status and how it affects buyers
The key operational change is the end of gallery-style or showroom operations. The business now presents itself as:
- A small selection of special inventory viewable on the website
- Private consulting
- Appraisal work
- Brokerage between buyer and seller
Wall continues to represent 19th and 20th-century marine model artists and exceptional one-of-a-kind or investment-grade pieces, specifically naming antique Napoleonic Prisoner-of-War models and British Builders' models.
Inventory categories on the site
The site organizes inventory by vessel type and by name. Current inventory is listed at 10 items, and the category counts give a sense of the range historically offered:
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Naval | 101 |
| Sail | 177 |
| Yachting | 54 |
| Extreme Miniature | 46 |
| War Ships | 42 |
| Merchant | 41 |
| Fishing Vessels | 40 |
| Power | 36 |
| Half Hull | 28 |
| Steam | 26 |
| Antique | 22 |
| Racing | 21 |
| Waterline | 21 |
| America's Cup | 17 |
| Small Craft | 15 |
| Prisoner of War Model | 14 |
| War Of 1812 | 14 |
| Custom Model | 13 |
| Diorama | 13 |
| McNARRY & McCAFFERY Models | 12 |
| IYRS Collection | 12 |
| Shadowbox | 9 |
| Baltimore Clipper | 7 |
| Admiralty Style | 6 |
| Cut-Away | 6 |
| World War II | 6 |
| Large | 5 |
| Whaling | 5 |
| Builder's Model | 4 |
| Collaboration | 4 |
| Ship-In-A-Bottle | 4 |
| Civil War | 3 |
| Figure | 3 |
| Ivory | 3 |
| Special | 3 |
| Word War I | 2 |
| Lighting | 1 |
| Miscellaneous | 1 |
| Pond Model | 1 |
| Shipwreck | 1 |
| Navy Board model | 0 |
Who this is for
The site is aimed at collectors and institutions interested in investment-grade or one-of-a-kind ship models, and at owners seeking appraisal, restoration, or brokerage help. Because showroom operations have ended, anyone expecting a walk-in gallery should instead expect a limited online inventory plus direct consulting, appraisal, and broker services.