November 16th 2024.
The news spread like wildfire - a gold pocket watch, once belonging to the captain of the ship that saved over 700 passengers from the tragic sinking of the Titanic, was sold for a staggering £1.56 million. The auctioneers, Henry Aldridge and Son, proudly announced that this was the highest amount ever paid for any Titanic memorabilia. The lucky buyer, a private collector from the US, was willing to pay top dollar for this rare and precious artifact.
This sale broke the previous record set just a few months ago, when another gold pocket watch, belonging to the wealthy John Jacob Astor, sold for £1.175 million at the same auction house. The auctioneers clarified that these figures include all fees and taxes paid by the buyer. Astor, who was just 47 years old, tragically perished on the Titanic, after bidding farewell to his new wife as she boarded a lifeboat.
The watch, made of 18-carat gold by Tiffany & Co, held a special inscription that read, 'Presented to Captain Rostron with the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of three survivors of the Titanic - April 15th 1912 - Mrs. John B Thayer, Mrs. John Jacob Astor, and Mrs. George D Widener.' It was a symbol of gratitude and recognition for the brave captain who risked his life to save theirs.
What made this watch even more remarkable was that it had stopped at the exact time the Titanic sank - 4:53 am. The inside of the case also bore the same inscription, reminding Captain Rostron of the immense gratitude from the three women who presented him with this gift. Another item that added to the allure of this watch was a postcard written by first-class passenger and British businessman, Richard William Smith, which was sent from Cork, Ireland.
According to the auction house, Captain Rostron received this gift from Mrs. Astor at a luncheon held at the family's luxurious mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge explained, "It was presented principally in gratitude for Rostron's bravery in saving those lives, because without Mr. Rostron, those 700 people wouldn't have made it." He also noted that this sale was a testament to the enduring fascination with the story of the Titanic.
For historians, the Titanic is a subject of great interest, with its colossal size and weight. But for collectors, it is the people and their stories that hold the most value. Each of the 2,208 passengers on board had a unique tale to tell, and these stories are being kept alive through the various memorabilia associated with the Titanic.
The inside of the watch, described as one of the most emotionally powerful mementos of the disaster, and the postcard written by Richard William Smith, were just a few of the many items that sparked the interest of collectors. The auctioneers also mentioned that the violin played on board as the ship sank had held the record for the highest amount paid for Titanic artifacts for 11 years, selling for £1.1 million in 2013.
Mr. Aldridge remarked that the fact that this record has been broken twice in the past year is a testament to the ever-increasing demand for Titanic memorabilia. As the supply of these rare items decreases, prices are skyrocketing, making them highly sought-after by collectors. It's not just about the objects themselves, but the stories and memories they hold, making them valuable pieces of history.
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