This beautifully illustrated history of miniature ship models features hundreds of color photographs of some of the finest miniature ships ever built. In this informative book, model expert Paul Jacobs traces the history of modern models back to their use as identification aids by the military in World War I. Miniature Ship Models is the first serious history of the industry's development, the commercial rise and fall of companies, and the advancing technology that produced ever more detailed and accurate replicas. Writing with collectors in mind, Jacobs looks at the products of each manufacturer, past and present, rating their quality and suggesting why some are more collectible than others. Jacobs also addresses subjects of interest to model makers, such as painting, modifying and diorama settings. Illustrated throughout with many of the finest examples of the genre, the combination of fascinating background information with stunning visual presentation will make this book irresistible to any collector or enthusiast.