Fans of the tragic history of the Titanic will have the opportunity to own real pieces from the ship. The auction items are expected to fetch potentially large sums, as some of the items were recovered from the bodies of those who lost their lives in the disaster.
On April 15, 1912, the passenger ship RMS Titanic, operated by the White Star Line, hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage from England to New York. As a result of that accident she sank. About 1500 passengers who were on the ship remained dead.
This sad story of the Titanic continues to be remembered forever as an integral part of the world's pop culture. Most of all, this commemoration resembles James Cameron's film "Titanic", which premiered in 1997. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
But now the fanatics of this history will have the opportunity to own real pieces from the Titanic. They will be able to get their share of this tragic story.
Henry Aldridge & Sons Ltd is organizing an auction of relics from the Titanic on April 27 in Weltshire, England. The items in the auction are expected to fetch potentially large sums, as some of the items were taken from the bodies of those who lost their lives in the disaster.
Last year, a menu from the ship's restaurant was sold for nearly 100 euros, while a pocket watch from a Russian passenger was sold for 113 euros. And finally, this year, the film's infamous floating door was sold for 663 thousand 000 euros at the Hollywood movie auction.
also
Titanic captain's watch sells for record price
This week's auction also includes the leather case of one of the violins in which it was played while the ship was sinking. The violinists who desperately tried to keep the passengers calm with their performance are immortalized in the 1997 film with the words used in the film: "Gentlemen, it was a privilege to play with you tonight."
While Wallace Hartley, the violinist who inspired the famous scene, died in the shipwreck, his violin and its case survived. The instrument itself is considered the most valuable item related to the Titanic and is currently on display at the Titanic Museum in Belfast.
You may not be able to own the violin, but you can own its case. Henry Aldridge & Sons estimates that when it goes to auction it will reach the price of 140 euros.
"Wallace Hartley's violin is the most iconic piece of Titanic memorabilia ever sold at auction," said auctioneer Andrew Aldridge. “However, she would not have survived if she had not been in this leather bag. The long straps would have been used by Wallace to tie the bag to himself while the Titanic was sinking. It served to protect the instrument from the salty sea water," he said.
However, this bag is not the item the auction house expects to sell for the most. The most prized artifact is expected to be a pocket watch that belonged to John Jacob Astor IV, a US businessman who was also a lieutenant colonel in the Spanish-American War, who lost his life during the naval disaster.
At the time the ship sank, the 47-year-old Astor was one of the richest men in the world and owned properties including the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. He made the voyage on the Titanic with his 18-year-old newlywed wife, Madeleine Astor, and socialite Molly Brown.
As his wife and Brown were carried to the lifeboats, Astor was told he had to wait until all the women and children were safe before joining them. He stepped aside and smoked a cigarette while they were rescued. His golden pocket watch is expected to sell for up to 175 euros.
also
Titanic survivor's letter sells for $400
Among other exhibits from the ship are crockery, a chessboard, letters from passengers and newspaper clippings. Buyers can also bid on a collection of DVDs and books related to the infamous sinking. They will cost around 35 euros.
Taken from "EuroNews". Translated by: Enis Bytyqi
