WW2 1930s German Ship in Bottle Nazi Flag Folk Art Ship Named Arco Maybe Involved in France D-Day invasion Start Price USD 9.99 Current Price USD 122.50 Time Left - Bid Count 14 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, August 30, 2008 End Time Saturday, September 06, 2008 Location Main Line, Philadelphia See more about 'WW2 1930s German Ship in Bottle Nazi Flag Folk Art' Description World War II  I consider myself a student of history, and have always been fascinated with the pathos and ethos of the nations and people involved in World War II.  My own father fought against the Axis in Italy in the second World War.  It was an amazing time in the long history of world politics.  Not everyone knows that there were a lot of German prisoners of war who were interned in the US and Canada.  In the esoteric and small world of collecting folk art and ships in bottles, one of the prized and highly valued additions to a serious collection are SIBS made by prisoners of war.  There were literally thousands of POW's in various parts of Canada during WW II, and the German prisoners sometimes made ships in bottles in exchange for cigarettes and candy.  I have maybe a dozen beautiful SIBS made by prisoners of war from both sides of the conflict -- actually, from both the Second AND First World Wars.  None of those POW ships in bottles carry the Nazi ensign, for obvious reasons -- nobody would give a dime for a SIB bearing the flag of the enemy.  The SIBS made by POWs usually have US, British or French flags.  But this ship and bottle offered here does indeed have a faded red and white-circled Nazi flag -- so that pretty much dates it to late 1930's, just prior to the US getting involved in Europe.  It obviously was made by a German sailor.  What's For Sale?  This is a incredible ship in bottle.  The name on the ship is Arko.  And while I can't prove the connection, there was indeed a German cruiser named Arko that was apparently involved in the D-Day invasion of France.  If you have interest, so a Google search for "Arko" and you'll find some information about a German cruiser ship named Arco.  It could be that the person who made this ship in bottle was naming it after the cruiser.  Your guess is as good as mine.  If anyone has any information about the ship Arko, let me know and I will add it to this description.  Details ... Details ... You can see from the pictures that it is made beautifully with great attention to detail.  The ship itself has intricate rigging, and great details on the hull.  Hand carved and handpainted, the hull has small details both fore and aft, including additional small painted details on the rigging and masts.  The Nazi flag has the typical swastika inside the white circle of a red flag.  The thing about German SIBS is that they are always well detailed and well made.  In this one, the rigging is tight -- no loose shards or pieces inside the bottle.Very "clean" and very tight.  The bottle is 10 inches (25 cm) in length and square -- it needs no stand.  At the end of the neck is a cork encased in silver foil.  Negative Space Inside The Bottle.  The space inside the bottle was planned nicely, with an unusual diorama at the rear (bottom) of the bottle -- it looks as though there is a real rock inside the bottle, but I know it isn't real.  It's just the skill of the person who made this -- he literally carved the resin to make the most realistic rock sea wall I've ever seen in a SIB.  The "rock" even contains evidence of eroding strata -- just like a real rocky shoreline that was battered by the sea.  On top of the shore are three mysterious brown buildings with white windows.  Never seen buildings quite like these -- they are indeed "odd" and different.  In addition, the diorama contains some plants and vegetation, some of which might not even be visible in the posted photos.  The sea resin itself is incredibly realistic.  In the background of the bottle interior is a hand painted blue sky with white clouds.  Very nicely done.  A highly skilled crafts-person made this SIB -- and even though anyone with a heartbeat has to be sickened by the horrors of the holocaust and lasting effects of the war, this offering has nothing to do with politics.  It is just a piece of folk art made by a sailor who happened to be on the side of the Germans.  It's a work of folk art -- not a political statement.  It would be a most worthy addition to any serious collectors' ship in bottle collection.  The value of this SIB will increase greatly in time - think of it as an investment, because the prices of museum quality SIBS are going higher and higher these days. Boilerplate Stuff.  I'm putting a low starting figure on this sib, but that low number in no way reflects the value of this item.  With its age and great condition, this is a strong piece of folk art that will only increase in value through the years.  If you have any questions about my descriptions, check out my 100% feedback.  You'll see a lot of repeat customers from Massachusetts to Paris, France.  Why?  Because people who have bought sibs from me know my descriptions are accurate.  I constantly get e-mails from people who have bought sibs from me, thanking me for my accurate descriptions.  I do my best to give everyone all the details.  Do I hate to part with this one?  Well, duuh!  Of course.  I hate to part with almost ALL of the sibs I sell.  But I have so many, it makes no sense to put such a beautiful sib in a box in a closet.  Someone should enjoy this as much as I have through the years.  I buy ships in bottle because I like them!!  When I buy a few, I have no choice but to sell a few.  After a while, it gets ridiculous -- how many sibs can you display in one bleepin' house?  If you are annoyed with me because I beat you out on a prior eBay bidding war?  Here's a newsflash -- I'm sorry!  GET OVER IT!!  We all play by the same rules.  Tomorrow, maybe you'll beat me out.  I lost an auction recently -- bid over $500 on an old lighbulb SIB and lost.  Everyone loses once in a while.  Wine goes down better without the whine.  And I have good news for you -- I will NOT be bidding on THIS one!  eBay is supposed to be fun!  Life is short.  Enjoy the ride.  Send me a note.  Always love chatting with fellow lovers of SIBS.  Don't hesitate to ask questions regarding this item: RMYKL@comcast.net About Me ... Some people seem to have interest in reading a little about the person they are dealing with on eBay.  So I posted a funny photo of myself and wrote a little about me and my interest in ships in bottle.  I don't  know how to access that, but I think it's listed under "My World." Note:  I'm cleaning out the sib closet.  Check out my other items -- I'll be posting other ships in bottle in the very near future.    Interested in learning more about ships in bottle?  Join the Ships in Bottle Association of America.  Check out the website: http://shipsinbottles.org/  Learn more from the people who still make them.  (FYI, I myself don't have the patience, but I can appreciate the results all the same.)   Shipping Cost:  Flat rate for domestic USPS shipping is $14.00, which includes insurance.  For other items and International rates, please write to me to request a quote.  (Repeat buyers always get a discounted rate for shipping.  When possible, I will combine postage for two sibs purchased at the same time.)   The Fine Print:  Payment required within five days of auction closing.  Items are in used condition and sold "as is" and may have normal signs of wear and tear consistent with its age; however, significant defects or imperfections are always noted in the detailed description.  I will not assume liability for any item lost or broken in transit.  International Buyers are solely responsible for any customs fees or duties in the country of destination.      Place a Bid!