A mesmerizing piece of history has emerged from the depths of time as a letter penned by Titanic passenger Colonel Archibald Gracie was sold for an astonishing £300,000 ($400,000) at auction in the UK. The sale, conducted by Henry Aldridge and Son auction house in Wiltshire, took place on Sunday and saw the letter go for five times the anticipated price of £60,000.
Titanic Passenger's Letter Fetches £300,000 at Auction
Titanic Passenger's Letter Fetches £300,000 at Auction
A handwritten letter from a Titanic passenger has achieved a remarkable price at auction, highlighting its historical significance.
This remarkable letter, dated 10 April 1912—just five days prior to the Titanic's ill-fated sinking—is deemed "prophetic." In it, Col Gracie expresses to a friend his intention to “await my journey's end” before forming any conclusions about the “fine ship.” He wrote the note from his first-class cabin (C51) after boarding the Titanic in Southampton. It was subsequently mailed while the ship was docked at Queenstown, Ireland, on 11 April 1912 and postmarked in London the following day.
The auctioneer noted that this sale marks the highest price ever recorded for any correspondence written aboard the ill-fated vessel. Col Gracie, who ultimately survived the tragic sinking which claimed over 1,500 lives out of approximately 2,200 passengers and crew, later authored a book titled "The Truth About The Titanic," detailing his harrowing experience. In recounting his survival, he described how he managed to cling to an overturned lifeboat in the frigid waters of the Atlantic, where many men perished due to exhaustion or the biting cold.
Although Colonel Gracie survived the disaster, he subsequently battled severe health complications resulting from hypothermia and injuries sustained during the disaster. He tragically fell into a coma on 2 December 1912, ultimately passing away two days later due to complications from diabetes. This auction not only underscores the enduring fascination with the Titanic but also sheds light on personal stories that continue to resonate.
The auctioneer noted that this sale marks the highest price ever recorded for any correspondence written aboard the ill-fated vessel. Col Gracie, who ultimately survived the tragic sinking which claimed over 1,500 lives out of approximately 2,200 passengers and crew, later authored a book titled "The Truth About The Titanic," detailing his harrowing experience. In recounting his survival, he described how he managed to cling to an overturned lifeboat in the frigid waters of the Atlantic, where many men perished due to exhaustion or the biting cold.
Although Colonel Gracie survived the disaster, he subsequently battled severe health complications resulting from hypothermia and injuries sustained during the disaster. He tragically fell into a coma on 2 December 1912, ultimately passing away two days later due to complications from diabetes. This auction not only underscores the enduring fascination with the Titanic but also sheds light on personal stories that continue to resonate.
