Col. Archibald Gracie's correspondence, written days before the tragic maiden voyage, sold at auction, shedding light on the ship's last days.
**Titanic Letter Fetches Nearly $400,000 at Auction, Reveals Final Thoughts of Passenger**
**Titanic Letter Fetches Nearly $400,000 at Auction, Reveals Final Thoughts of Passenger**
A historic letter penned aboard the ill-fated Titanic has captivated collectors and historians alike, achieving a remarkable sale price.
Col. Archibald Gracie's poignant letter, written just four days before the Titanic met its fateful iceberg, sold for an astonishing $399,000 at auction. The neat, cursive document described the ship as “a fine vessel” while he expressed a desire to reserve full judgment until the end of his journey. Despite being on the deck when the Titanic sank, Gracie survived the ordeal, clinging to a railing and later finding refuge on a raft in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic.
The letter, addressed to an unnamed European ambassador, showcases a triangular red flag with a white star, indicating its origin on board the R.M.S. Titanic. Dated April 10, 1912, the same day the Titanic set sail from Southampton, it was later postmarked in London, arriving at the Waldorf Hotel two days after its writing.
Andrew Aldridge, managing director of the auction house Henry Aldridge and Son in Wiltshire, England, confirmed that the buyer, who remains anonymous, is based in the United States. This sale marks a significant moment for Titanic memorabilia, highlighting the personal narrative behind one of maritime history's most infamous tragedies.
The letter, addressed to an unnamed European ambassador, showcases a triangular red flag with a white star, indicating its origin on board the R.M.S. Titanic. Dated April 10, 1912, the same day the Titanic set sail from Southampton, it was later postmarked in London, arriving at the Waldorf Hotel two days after its writing.
Andrew Aldridge, managing director of the auction house Henry Aldridge and Son in Wiltshire, England, confirmed that the buyer, who remains anonymous, is based in the United States. This sale marks a significant moment for Titanic memorabilia, highlighting the personal narrative behind one of maritime history's most infamous tragedies.
