Asmat Downey wrote:The Maze collection was a fascinating exhibition that occupied quite a large part of the Science Museum's maritime transport department. The prize exhibit was a model of a Foochow pole junk that must have been all of 12 ft long.There was once a catalogue which contained pictures of all the models. Both seem to have vanished into thin air. It might be worth investigating what's become of the collection and seeing whether a copy of the catalogue could be tracked down for inclusion in the JRA library.
G. R. G Worcester, a colleague of Sir Frederick Maze in the China Customs Authority, produced "Sail and Sweep in China", a detailed work covering technical and cultural aspects of junks. The book contains a list of the 27 models and half a dozen photos of models in the collection.
PS Googled The Maze Collection and found that copies of the catalogue occasionally appear on antiquarian booksellers' listings. Found one that sold for £500.
I really hope that this collection hasn't disappeared or - almost as bad - ended up in private hands. What with Mao's Great Leaps Forwards (usually retrogressive) and the Cultural Revolution, there is precious little information left about Chinese junks and even fewer of the actual vessels around. This collection must be invaluable in the fullest sense of that word. The Foochow Pole Junk was, to me, the apotheosis of junk development and I can think of few things I should like to see more than a 12ft model of one. (Well, OK, to be more honest it's my favourite junk!)
John, I should be very interested to hear what you dig up as you research further. I now have a paper copy of Sail and Sweep and just wish that all 27 models had been photographed.