Rare Conch Shell Engraving of The Great Eastern, signed Wood, New York, New York, 1860.

Rare Conch Shell Engraving of The Great Eastern, signed Wood, New York, New York, 1860. Large iridescent conch shell carved to depict a side-wheel sail- and steam-powered ship flying a U.S. flag, inscription below reading 'The Gr\t Eastern's first trip to N. York / arrived June 28th 1860 / Tons - 24000 / Power - 2600 / Len - 672 ft / Bro - 83 ft / Dep - 60 ft', signed 'Wood / Sculp' at base and engraved 'Purchased on board' to right of ship portrait, wd. 5 1/2, dp. 6, ht. 3 1/2 in. Footnotes: Provenance The Contents from Merritt's Museum of Childhood, Pook & Pook, Downingtown, Pennsylvania (9 September 2005), Lot 1128. Note S.S. Great Eastern, a passenger ship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-59) and operated by Eastern Steam Navigation Co., was the largest boat ever built upon its completion in 1859. Great Eastern laid the first permanent transatlantic telegraph cable in 1866. She was taken out of service and scrapped at Liverpool in 1889. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing