Nauticalia
About Nauticalia
Nauticalia began in 1974, as a floating marine antiques shop in a converted rubbish barge on the River Thames at Shepperton. Lynn Lewis, an ex-BBC television reporter, and his wife Val, also a journalist, were the founders.
As the business developed, there were not enough antiques to satisfy demand, especially for the large items of nautical décor. An advert in the local paper, for a 19th century diver's helmet, brought six buyers the next day - but there was only one for sale! To solve the problem, they commissioned a batch of ten detailed replicas from a specialist metal works, and thus began Nauticalia's famous range of reproduction boating and shipping memorabilia.
Now, more than forty years later, the range has developed from using only the classic marine materials of teak, brass, hemp and cork to include everything from anchor-shaped door knockers to zoom-focus binoculars.
Nauticalia continues to mix traditional nautical replicas with modern boating accessories in a huge range that celebrates Britain's maritime heritage - all under the umbrella of "Ships & Sea... Time & Tide... Wind & Weather... Stars & Skies".