Marklin World Record 7minute run and automatic? lifeboat launch
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Marklin 'Spree' clockwork boat. About 21 inches long including rudder.
In the video above, I show the boat running for 7 minutes - which I think might be a world record for a Marklin clockwork boat on video. Amazingly, in the video, the lifeboat has taken upon itself to launch un-aided - and moreover equally improbably - it floats after launch (it sinks like a stone if it fills with water) - and it is very fortunate that this highly unlikely and serendipitous event was recorded given that the boat might never be used again in water and how few videos there are of Marklin boats in water. I will send a CD of the video with the boat.
In the video and some of the photographs, I have removed the rigging as it is difficult to wind the motor without the correct key, with the superstructure in place and because of this I will also supply the boat without rigging,.. The motor in this instance, for the video, was not fully wound as I did not want to risk breaking the spring. (I do not have a key for it). It is the largest Marklin clockwork motor and probably the smallest Marklin boat it will fit - a combination which as is evident from the video - makes for long running in water.. Do not underestimate the value of the video as it provides a future provenance that none of these early boats has and there is a risk of breaking the spring or motor if it is wound too much..... and I think with time - less of the larger Marklin boats will have their motor wound this much.
The only parts of the boat which aren't original are the flags and one life-boat, which are somewhat naive, although OK replacements. The detachable parts - masts, funnels, one lifeboat, superstructure and anchor are original. The attachment of the none-original lifeboat on its davits is not too secure but stays in place for display purposes and as seen in the video. The 2 loops through which the rigging passes on the top part of the rear mast have broken off. All the loops on the deck for rigging are still intact. (The Marklin 'Luitpold' paddle boat which appeared recently uses the same hull and superstructure but appeared to have these loops pulled off and as a result the whole deck appears to have been repainted on that boat - demonstrating that rigging the boat might also have it's dangers) The detachable superstructure, which comes in 2 pieces, has been re-painted, apart from the railings which I believe retain their original paint. The lifeboats, the rear mast and rear deck have been repainted. The front mast and 2 air vent /cowls have been re-attached to the deck at some stage. The flags at the front and back are loose. The hull is nearly all original apart from some scratches and noticeable dents in the middle of the red lower hull near the waterline, which have been touched up historically and which are seen in the photographs of the hull. They do not detract greatly as they do not disturb the waterline. The railings have been repaired in places where they are attached to the deck and the port side railing leans a little inward, perhaps where it has been bumped. The railings all still have original paint- which helps to integrate the original paint on the hull and deck with the more recently painted superstructure. The sleeve on the superstructure deck - which keeps the front funnel in place - is missing. In its absence, the funnel is kept in place by a strong selenium/cobalt magnetic beneath the deck superstructure, which also serves the function of magnetising the superstructure and helping to keep it securely in place (as you can see it does in the video) *especially as the topmost superstructure is only a friction/push fit.
Crucially - all the names are original paint, as can be seen from the very fine age related crazing / cracking of the paint on the hull which also shows through the paint of the name.
The lifeboats are slightly bigger than those on other similar boats such as Priscilla, Luzern, St Louis, Wien but the davits are likewise of the correct dimension for the lifeboats..
The 'Spree' was an ocean liner of the 'Rivers Class', built in Germany in 1890. In 1897 it was lengthened and rebuilt with 3 funnels and two propellers, and renamed, 'Kaiserin Maria Theresia', finally being sold to Russia in 1904, renamed 'Ural' and sinking in 1905.. I believe therefore that this boat dates from 1890 - 1897. Bing made a similar clockwork boat - also to represent that 'Rivers Class' of ocean liners and named it 'Havel' (also a river of Germany). I have seen a number of these Marklin boats made on the same hull, both clockwork and steam powered, named variously as Priscilla, St.Paul, St.Louis, Luzern, Wien. However I have never seen one, like the Bing 'Havel', with a German name. Appropriate then that this should not only have a German name but also be named after the river 'Spree' which flows through Berlin - the capital of Germany and the river upon which the parliament building, The Reichstag, sits.
This boat's journey has navigated at least two wars and the division of Germany and the transposition of the river Spree into East Germany and its subsequent reunification, once again to flow through the reinstated capital, Berlin.
An evocative journey of an evocative boat. It would display well in a cabinet in the Reichstag, returning to the country of its birth and the river of its christening, perhaps displayed together with the video of its 'circum-navigation' - symbolic of the journey of its home-land - in the boat's absence - and of the return and 'magnetic' attraction to and of its home. This SPREE also embodies the wealth of technological and cultural history represented in the Reichstag (opened 1894 -perhaps built in the boat's absence). Indeed one might say that the toy was a part of the foundation of the Reichstag..... and a symbolic early part of the technological heritage of the country.
All parts except flags and one life-boat are original. Some re-paint to the back deck ......and the superstructure has been completely re-painted.(except for the railings which appear to have their original paint)..Front funnel is loose and not attached. I will supply the boat without any rigging. Hull is original apart from scuff or dent which has been slightly touched up.
please note in the EU- ebay stipulate that the buyer is responsible for all import taxes and charges as they are completely out of our control.
