USOS Seaview Hero Submarine Large-Scale Model

Lot #5
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea | "USOS Seaview" Hero Submarine Large-Scale Model with DVD
Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000
Starting Bid: $10,000

An original hero large-scale filming miniature of the USOS Seaview submarine from the Irwin Allen science fiction film Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (20th Century Fox, 1961) and the television series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (20th Century Fox Television, 1964 - 1968).

This large-scale model is composed of fiberglass that has been painted with a silver/gray finish. Similar to the design of the FS-1 seen in the television series, the Seaview featured a design that resemble that of a sea creature similar to a manta ray with sloping lines and gills. This model was designed to be both submerged and float above the water for production. This model features plexiglass cab windows, bay doors designed for the FS-1 "Flying Submarine," rudders, missile hatches, antenna, periscope, internal steel girder arches.

During the time of production, all three of the Seaview models, including this seventeen-foot model were built at a cost of $200,000. This was the largest of the models used to depict the Seaview, with a four-foot and eight-foot model also being used during production. All models were produced by Herb Cheeks' model shop at Fox Studios.

L.B. Abbott was primarily responsible for creating the special effects used to create the life-like scale of the Seaview, which was partly filmed at the backlot of Fox Studios.To create the appearance of large waves crashing against the vessel, the rate of the camera was adjusted to 136 frames per second. In addition, fans and wave generators produced the intended effect for the seventeen-foot scale model.

This impressive model was previously owned by Dave Merriman, a prop designer would worked on productions such as The Hunt for Red October (Paramount Picture, 1990), and was then later displayed at Planet Hollywood in Beverly Hills, California from 1993 until 2002. In more recent years, the model received minor restoration work and maintenance including retouching of painted surfaces and repairing minor cracks in fiberglass surfaces.

Includes a DVD of the film.


PROVENANCE Lot 555 "Hollywood Auction 17," Profiles in History, December 12, 2003

Sold for $222,250 including Buyer's Premium.