A few examples of appraisal values for
GREATEST SHIPS

• "DESCRIPTION OF THE LARGEST SHIP IN
  "DESCRIPTION OF THE LARGEST SHIP IN THE WORLD, THE NEW CLIPPER GREAT REPUBLIC ..." 1853 SLIPCASE 10.5" X 6.5"."DESCRIPTION OF THE LARGEST SHIP IN THE WORLD, THE NEW CLIPPER GREAT REPUBLIC ...", 1853, An extremely rare first and only edition pamphlet describing one of the greatest ships ever built, with six lithographed folding plates, two of which fold out to more than three feet in length. Fully titled Description of the Largest Ship in the World, The New Clipper Great Republic, of Boston. Designed, Built and Owned by Donald McKay, And Commanded by Capt. L. McKay. With Illustrated Designs of Her Construction,. "Written by a Sailor" Duncan McLean. Boston: Eastburn's Press, 1853. Inscribed on p. 1 "To David D. Nickerson, Esquire In recognition of his good efforts to perpetuate the name and fame of Donald McKay- Appreciatively Richard I. McKay". Foldouts printed on tissue-like paper. Octavo volume with original printed green wrappers. 24pp. Later clamshell slipcase. Dimensions: Slipcase 10.5" x 6.5". Provenance: Ten Pound Island Book Co., Gloucester, Massachusetts, 2004.The Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.Notes:Great Republic was considered McKay's masterpiece and was the largest merchant sailing ship ever constructed in the United States. Prior to her maiden voyage, while loading cargo in New York bound for Liverpool, a shore-side fire ignited the ship's newly tarred rigging and she burned to the waterline. A.A. Low & Brother purchased the hulk and reconfigured her to a more manageable size and cut down her rig. She sailed on the Atlantic run from New York to Liverpool, was chartered by the French to carry troops to the Crimea, and in 1856 was placed on the New York to San Francisco run. Her best time to San Francisco was 92 days. She often posted runs of 400 miles per day and set the record from New York to the equator in 15 days, 19 hours. During the Civil War she served as a troop transport and made two more voyages to San Francisco between 1862 and 1865. She was sold to Nova Scotia interests in 1865 and to Liverpool owners in 1869, who renamed her Denmark. She began leaking and was abandoned off Bermuda on March 2, 1872, where she sank three days later.