Nauticalia

Wooden ships with copper-plated bottoms lasted longer and went faster, due to copper's protective and antifouling properties. The case in favour was unarguable long term, but required more money up front - hence the phrase "copper-bottomed investment"*. G.F. Muntz's 60% copper, 40% zinc, alloy, patented 1832, had identical properties (for shipping purposes) but cost a third less, so made him a fortune, and Cutty Sark's builders were one of many to take advantage of the saving. This is a section of plating, removed from the ship during the current restoration works, mounted in a display frame measuring 21 x 13".
* For some reason "Muntz metal-bottomed investment" never caught on!

Limited edition of 500.

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