A gold pocket watch presented to the ship captain who rescued 700 survivors from the Titanic was auctioned off for approximately €1.8 million, marking a new record for Titanic memorabilia. The 18-carat Tiffany & Co. timepiece was bestowed upon Capt. Arthur Rostron for his decision to redirect his passenger ship, the RMS Carpathia, to save passengers after the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic during its maiden voyage in 1912. It was a gift from the widow of John Jacob Astor, the wealthiest individual who perished in the disaster, along with the widows of two other affluent businessmen who also died in the tragedy.

Auctioneers Henry Aldridge and Son, who sold the watch to a private collector in the United States for £1.56 million (€1.86 million), stated that this is the highest amount ever paid for a piece of Titanic memorabilia. The inscription on the watch reads, “with the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of three survivors.” Rostron was celebrated as a hero for his actions on the night the Titanic sank, and his crew was acknowledged for their bravery. The Carpathia was en route from New York to the Mediterranean when a radio operator intercepted a distress signal from the Titanic in the early hours of April 15, 1912, and roused Rostron from his cabin. By the time the Carpathia reached the scene, the Titanic had already sunk, resulting in the deaths of 1,500 people. However, the crew managed to locate 20 lifeboats and rescued over 700 passengers, transporting them back to New York.

Astor's pocket watch, which was found on his body seven days after the ship sank, had previously held the record for the highest price paid for a Titanic keepsake, selling for nearly £1.17 million (€1.4 million) at the same auction house in April. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge noted that the fact that Titanic memorabilia has set two records this year underscores the enduring allure of the story and the increasing value of the limited supply and high demand for ship artifacts. “Every man, woman, and child had a story to tell, and those stories are recounted over a century later through the memorabilia,” he said.

Source link:   https://www.euronews.com