Vintage Half-Hull Model: The Yacht America (Winner of the First America's Cup)

Vintage Half-Hull Model: The Yacht America (Winner of the First America's Cup)

Bring a piece of legendary maritime history into your home or office with this exquisite half-hull model of the yacht America. Displayed against a striking two-tone wooden plaque, this piece captures the elegant lines and revolutionary design of the most famous vessel in racing history.

The model features a beautifully finished black upper hull accented with a crisp red waterline stripe, contrasted by the rich, warm tones of the natural wood lower hull. A detailed brass plaque rests in the bottom right corner, commemorating the vessel's historic victory.

(Please note: The accompanying catalog text in the image contains a slight typo dating the ship to 1881; however, the brass plaque on the piece correctly identifies the legendary 1851 victory).

Product Details

• Vessel: The America

• Type: Half-Hull Display Model

• Dimensions: 27 ½” W x 9” L

• Mounting: Mounted on a two-tone, finished wooden backing board

• Item Number: #4343

The History of The America

In 1851, a radical new schooner crossed the Atlantic to challenge the best of the British fleet. Built specifically to showcase American shipbuilding prowess, the yacht America entered the Royal Yacht Squadron's "100 Guinea Cup" race around the Isle of Wight. Against a fleet of 15 British yachts, America won by such a massive margin that Queen Victoria famously asked who was second, only to be told, "Ah, Your Majesty, there is no second."

The winning trophy was brought back to the United States and deeded to the New York Yacht Club. It was subsequently renamed the "America's Cup" in the yacht's honor, birthing the oldest continuous competition in international sports.

The Architects & Builders

While the artisan of this specific display model is unlisted, the piece bears a brass plaque honoring the legendary craftsmen who brought the original ship to life:

• George Steers (Architect): Born in 1819, George Steers was a brilliant American naval architect who revolutionized ship design. Before designing America, he was famous for creating incredibly fast pilot boats for the New York harbor. His design for America featured a radically sharp, concave bow and thickest beam placed further aft than was traditional, which proved superior in cutting through the water.

• William H. Brown (Builder): A prominent mid-19th-century shipbuilder based in New York. Brown owned the shipyard where America was constructed and was part of the original syndicate that financed the yacht. His yard's impeccable craftsmanship brought Steers's visionary, albeit unconventional, design to life.