Between the 19th and first half of the 20th century the English, the Americans and the Europeans took precision, metalwork, education and modelling to new heights in the various schools and societies that built miniature working steam and electrical models.
These models, designed not only to educate but also showcase the capacity of these industrialised regions, became works of art in themselves and would regularly be exhibited at competitive fairs and international gatherings of like-minded engineers and businesses.
At our Classic Furniture and Objects auction on Saturday we were honoured to offer just such a museum quality piece. Lot 40, a beam engine scale model by R. A. Barker of Sheffield and a medal winner for his models in his own right, realised more than seven times its estimate to sell for a staggering $46,360 (IBP).