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    MODEL OF LUSITANIA TO BE SOLD AT SOTHEBY’S

    Thursday, December 9th, 2010

    The Lusitania model. IT MADE $194,500

    A Marklin model of the Lusitania  made c1912 will be sold at Sotheby’s in New York on December 17. It is part of the celebrated Malcolm Forbes collection of toy boats, soldiers, motorcycles and classic board games.  The sale is estimated to realise between $3/$5 million. The major portion consists of sports, naval, commercial and luxury toy boats.

    In May 1915 the Cunard liner was torpedoed 11 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland, precipitating the entry of the US into the First World War.  Lusitania sank in 18 minutes, killing about 1,198 of the 1,959 people on board.
    The model, thirty seven and a half inches long, is estimated at $100,000-$200,000. The deck is finished with intricate details, including working anchors and chain. A view of the lower deck is made possible by cutouts in the hull. It was purchased by Malcolm Forbes, publisher of Forbes magazine, for $28,600 at Sotheby’s New York in 1983. At the time this was the highest price ever paid for a toy boat.
    UPDATE: The Lusitania model sold for a hammer price with buyer’s premium of  $194,500