The Secret Museum and the San Ildefonso ensign

[anteros_lmc]

Over the last week there have a been a number of reviews and articles in the UK press about a book by Molly Oldfield called The Secret Museum. The book is described as "a unique treasure trove of the most intriguing artifacts hidden away in museum archives from all over the world". From the articles I've read, one of the most stunning artefacts

Comments

[eglantine_br]

That is amazing. You can still see the colors. Really it is still in fairly good shape-- And the photo here is very clever to have the people there for a size reference.

Somehow I often think of the past as being on a smaller scale. I mean there were no 30 story buildings-- there were no tractor-trailer trucks.

This serves as a reminder that the Navy, British and otherwise, was on a huge scale.

And that makes me think again of the vulnerable soft humans who lived in the machine. Each being, precious and unrepeatable... that is what I find most moving about historical artifacts.

(Sorry to be so goopy and maudlin, but I think you know what I mean.)

[anteros_lmc]

This serves as a reminder that the Navy, British and otherwise, was on a huge scale.
So true. It doesn't matter how much I read, I just can't conceive of the sheer scale of the fleet. To say nothing of those vast convoys of merchant men.

And that makes me think again of the vulnerable soft humans who lived in the machine.
Yes, that's a very good way to put it. It's incredible to think that the mechanism of that vast war machine was individual men.

Each being, precious and unrepeatable...
That's a lovely way to put it. And yes, I do know what you mean :)

[rikibeth]

I know. A 44-gun frigate feels SMALL when you walk her decks and think of all the men who lived and worked on her, but I can barely imagine a 74-gun ship of the line.

[eveiya]

I'm stunned by the hugeness of that! It would make a spinnaker for a decent-sized racing yacht today.

[anteros_lmc]

It's vast isn't it?! And this is from a 74! It really makes me wonder about the size of the ensigns the huge three and four deckers flew.

[esteven]

Oh!
*is speechless*

[anteros_lmc]

Isn't it stunning? I thought you would like it :)

[esteven]

*is still agog* :)

[anteros_lmc]

It doesn't get any any less amazing dose it?!

[amaraal]

Pretty cool! If there will be a 'facsimile' or something?

[anteros_lmc]

It's very cool :) Do you mean a facsimile of the ensign?

[amaraal]

Yip! I couldn't find the proper term. Replica I think it is. But it is cool that things like this survive time. Very impressive.
A week in the dungeons of the NMM :) Maybe we'd find a replica of the Indy too :) *snort*

[anteros_lmc]

Maybe we'd find a replica of the Indy too :) *snort*
There is actually a replica of the Indy in the NMM! Well, there's a replica of her hull at least. Here she is :)

[charliecochrane]

Oh. Oh! It's lovely. Did I tell you I cried when I saw Victory's sail down at Pompey?

[eglantine_br]

I would cry too.

[charliecochrane]

It was so very moving. Especially as the exhibition featured scenes from Master & Commander. *sniff*

[anteros_lmc]

esteven has recommended that we should go and see it while we are at the conference.