Damaged Van Ryper Cargo Tanker with worn baseboard
In the maritime arts, especially in the Antique and Collectibles category, a strong and vibrant resurgence has occurred relative to the acquisition of Charles Van Ryper ship models.
As with any artform, Mr. Ryper's work was commonplace during his early years and not taken seriously as work to be collected. These were simplistic works in their variation of design and were produced as simple travel momentos for tourists who wanted a model as a keepsake reminder of their voyages. These models were not expensive since they originated during the Depression Era, but attracted people from all social levels who appreciated his work which was eventually heralded as 'Art Deco' by his contemporaries.
A restored Van Ryper Oceanliner Model
Mr. Ryper started his first set of models titled the "Travel Series" out of Vineyard Haven, MA (Martha's Vineyard) in 1933. These small oceanliner models were made of wood with metal parts and ranged in size from 9 - 11" inches. As special requests were made, Mr. Ryper built larger 13 - 18" inch versions of the smaller pieces. These were more detailed, to scale, and of high quality.
Damaged Van Ryper model of freighter ALCO PILGRIM. Many parts were missing and had to be faithfully researched and restored.
As Ryper's reputation for his "Travel Series" grew, shipping companies acquired his one-of-a-kind models; inparticular, his freighters and oceanliners. During the Second World War his shop produced many models for the military, the US Maritime Commission, and for shipyards across America which consisted of all types of fighting and merchant ships in grey color. These has become, in contemporary times, highly sought after collectibles which few are ever auctioned -rather traded.
One of many worn and damaged Van Ryper models in existance with missing parts and discoloration due to dust and exposure. This model is a WW II T2 Tanker.
Here, the author sits in his New England studio restoring the Van Ryper tanker model. With the assistance of supporting websites Mr. Stewart was able to scale the deck furniture and accessories to their original appearances.
Starboard closeup view of stern showing the worn and chipped areas
Project completion - WW II T2 Tanker, Van Ryper restored model - Rex Stewart
In 2006 I was given the opportunity to view and restore Van Ryper models. This came about at the same time I presented by line of miniature sailing ships on the circuit, starting with Captain Cook's ENDEAVOR.
As I viewed the Ryper models, I became intrigued with his journeyman approach to the medium and appreciated his contributions to the maritime relative to his skills as a builder. I traced his history back 80 years which gave me a 'hands-on' relative to his style and technique. He built with passion and I discovered in his models the secret methods he applied to his work which seem to have been overlooked by contemporaries.
It's not enough to just restore a Ryper model. The very fact that his work was (and is) highly respected surely makes any of his existant work prized collectibles...and special consideration should be given to his exacting details, especially on worn and damaged pieces.
Damaged and worn C2 Freighter Model of Charles Van Ryper
Clean and restored C2 Freighter Model of Charles Van Ryper. Missing parts scaled, handcrafted, and replaced by author.
Simplistic in presentation, many of these miniature models were intricately detailed. Mr. Ryper's work was highly sought after when he established his shop on Cape Cod some 80 years ago. Today, his miniature ship models are in much demand and exhibited in public and private collections worldwide.
For more information about repair and/or restoration of a Van Ryper model, email; Caseships@yahoo.com or call 1-774-757-7137. You may also visit this site to view my line of current works https://www.flickr.com/photos/rexstewartoriginals/.
Not knowing much about Charles Van Ryper during my early years, I came to discover his models 20 years ago by way of several collectors who commissioned my sidewheel steamers.
It was suggested that I build waterline types to suppliment income when work wasn't available. But my line of work escalated as my reputation grew in and around New York and New England relative to the detailed steamboats I was producing. I did, however, incorporate some of Mr. Van Ryper's techniques to a pair of steamboat models I built for a client in Virginia who wanted waterline pieces for his train layout. Nothing after that left the studio until I was recently notified of several restorations that needed work concerning models made by the renowned builder.
These models were contracted by these collectors whom lived on Martha's Vineyard and knew the family of Van Ryper personally.
Many of his models were simple works that carried a nice value and a large following as I soon learned. Taking these works apart, cleaning them, repairing and repainting damaged areas placed me in the position of shadowing his building practices and methods.
I was able to see how and what materials he used to achieve simple yet minute detail to works that contemporary antique dealers deemed as 'Art Deco'.
Charles Van Ryper started his line of 'Art Deco' models on Martha's Vineyard in 1933 during the midst of the Great Depression. He once declared these miniature gems as being " small, inexpensive models of great ships." The first models in his series appealed to the general public as well as to the shipping industry. Today, Van Ryper models are prized collectibles -a fleet unto themselves as fine ships.
Maritime artist and shipmodelbuilder Rex Stewart sits among the Van Ryper models he's been commissioned to restore for Martha's Vineyard collectors.
When Charles first produced them in the old whaling town of Vineyard Haven, MA he established a simple idea to reconstruct, in miniature, ships that were easily identified by appearance. He developed his own unique style of models -similiar to my steamboat type today...the signature being my flags.
His miniatures were handmade of wood where he incorporated some metal parts and painted them in their original furnishings. He began to call his pieces the "Travel Series" which birthed his 9 - 11" inch ship models. This prolific series grew with amazing results and in 1937 a catalog published some 250 ships of all nations. There were special commissions received by his small shop on the Vineyard which addressed larger 13 - 18" inch works as seen in the above picture, and
Shown, the Van Ryper Freighter is presented as a restored model by the artist.
occasionally, more detailed models were ordered for his miniatures. He continued his Series up until 1960, retiring from his business and selling off his remaining works until 1962.
Since then his work has been highly sought after and traded all around the world. Last year South Street Seaport in New York City held a fascinating exhibit on the Ryper Collection. As a builder I'm honored to restore his works. I get to examine them and apply his very techniques to the pieces that he was known to originate.
Shown here is a badly damaged and discolored CROSS RIP LIGHTSHIP. After viewing several photos of Van Ryper's earlier pieces, I was able to use those and photos of the actual vessel to conclude the accuracy of his technique and applications.
Another view of the damaged LIGHTSHIP, profile view.
The CROSS RIP LIGHTSHIP restored to its original configuration.
As a builder I have been given the opportunity to retrace Charles Van Ryper's methods and style of modelmaking. These images are only a few of the many projects completed, to date. Surely, this individual was a true one-of-a-kind.
For more information about restoring these Van Ryper vintage collectibles, email: Caseships@yahoo.com or call 1-774-757-7137. You may also visit this site to view current work https://www.flickr.com/photos/rexstewartoriginals/.
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