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wooden model of a tall sailing ship with white sails on a wooden standa wooden model of a pirate ship on displaya wooden model of a sail boat on a tablea wooden model of a sailboat with a surfboard on ita bird nest in a wooden box on a standa wooden model of a sailboat with white sailswooden model of a sailing ship on a stand on a gray backgrounda wooden model of a boat with a bird inside of it
Karl Benz

229 - [Convict’s Work] – Charles BRUNIER (Paris, 1901 – Cormeilles…
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Estimate €50 - €80
Sale commission
Description
[Convict’s Work] – Charles BRUNIER (Paris, 1901 – Cormeilles-en-Parisis, 2007), known as Johnny King. The armed Surcouf. A fanciful model made of wood and metal, with fabric sails. Made around 1960. Length: 67 cm. Height: 91 cm. (Damaged). Sailor, member of the Resistance, war hero, convict – Charles Brunier lived a thousand lives, a large part of which undoubtedly inspired the book *Papillon* by Henri Charrière, his fellow prisoner at the Devil’s Island penal colony in French Guiana. Born in 1901, he joined the Navy and fought in Syria. Convicted of murder in 1923, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in Cayenne, from where he escaped four times. It was during his final escape attempt that he heard de Gaulle’s call to arms. Whilst on the run, he enlisted as a reconnaissance pilot. Awarded the Military Medal for a second time, he was sent back to Cayenne, from where he was pardoned in 1947. He then led a quiet and discreet life in mainland France, where he died at the age of 100 in 1907.
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About the sale BREIZH! Brittany & the Sea – Day 1
Auction location
Auction time 10/20/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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