The letter, written by Col. Archibald Gracie, offers a poignant glimpse into the moments leading up to the disaster as he reflects on the ship's grandeur.
Titanic Survivor's Letter Fetches Nearly $400,000 at Auction
Titanic Survivor's Letter Fetches Nearly $400,000 at Auction
A historic letter penned by a Titanic survivor days before the ship's tragic sinking has sold for an astounding $399,000 at auction, shedding light on the vessel's final days.
Col. Archibald Gracie, a first-class passenger aboard the Titanic, penned a letter shortly before the ship met its disastrous fate, describing it as a "fine ship." The letter was crafted during the voyage on April 10, 1912, only days prior to the infamous iceberg collision that would lead to the Titanic's sinking. Gracie's journey took a harrowing turn as he battled the freezing Atlantic waters, managing to eventually grab hold of a raft and survive.
The letter was auctioned off for $399,000 (approximately 300,000 pounds) at Henry Aldridge and Son in Wiltshire, England. Remarkably, Gracie's correspondence was addressed to an unidentified European ambassador and displayed the Titanic letterhead. The document, written in elegant cursive, offers a rare glimpse into the optimism surrounding the ship just days before tragedy struck.
On April 12, 1912, the letter was postmarked in London after being written onboard. The Titanic struck an iceberg shortly before midnight on April 14 and sunk the following day, leading to a heavy loss of life.
Andrew Aldridge, the managing director of the auction house, disclosed that the buyer of the letter resides in the United States, although both the buyer's and seller's identities remain confidential. The transaction represents not only a financial investment but also a significant historical acquisition, capturing a critical moment in maritime history.
The letter was auctioned off for $399,000 (approximately 300,000 pounds) at Henry Aldridge and Son in Wiltshire, England. Remarkably, Gracie's correspondence was addressed to an unidentified European ambassador and displayed the Titanic letterhead. The document, written in elegant cursive, offers a rare glimpse into the optimism surrounding the ship just days before tragedy struck.
On April 12, 1912, the letter was postmarked in London after being written onboard. The Titanic struck an iceberg shortly before midnight on April 14 and sunk the following day, leading to a heavy loss of life.
Andrew Aldridge, the managing director of the auction house, disclosed that the buyer of the letter resides in the United States, although both the buyer's and seller's identities remain confidential. The transaction represents not only a financial investment but also a significant historical acquisition, capturing a critical moment in maritime history.
