Titanic Survivor's Letter Sells for $399,000
Titanic Sinking Letter fetching ₹3.4 crore: "Penning thoughts before the disaster: 'Great vessel, yet...' "
Archibald Gracie, a survivor of the infamous Titanic disaster, penned a letter just days before the ship's ill-fated maiden voyage, which was recently auctioned off for a whopping $399,000.
In this unsuspecting letter, sent on April 10, 1912, Gracie, a first-class passenger, seemed quite optimistic about the ship, stating, "It's a fine ship, but I'll wait till my journey's end before I pass judgment on her."
This captivating piece of history found a new home with a private collector from the United States this past Saturday, surpassing the initial expectation of $60,000, sold by auction house Henry Aldridge & Son in Wiltshire, England.
This letter, believed to be the only surviving one from Gracie regarding the Titanic, carries exceptional museum-grade importance.
Archibald Gracie, a seasoned veteran of 54, survived the disaster after jumping from the ship and clambering onto an overturned collapsible boat. Rescued by other passengers, he was taken to the R.M.S. Carpathia. After returning to New York City, he penned "The Truth about the Titanic," providing one of the most comprehensive accounts of the events that unfolded on that fateful night.
Boardering the Titanic in Southampton on April 10, 1912, Gracie was assigned cabin C51. His book is considered one of the most detailed, first-hand accounts of the events leading up to the tragic sinking of the ship, according to Andrew Aldridge, the auctioneer.
Despite his eventual survival, Gracie struggled with the health implications of the nightmare he endured, succumbing to complications from diabetes toward the end of 1912. The letter, though postmarked Queenstown, Ireland, reflected one of the two stops the Titanic made prior to its tragic demise off the coast of Newfoundland.
History Lesson- Col. Archibald Gracie was not only a Titanic survivor but also an influential figure who chronicled his experiences through literary works and historical accounts.
Did You Know?- Gracie jumped from the Titanic and scrambled onto an overturned collapsible boat for survival, an incredible feat given the circumstances. His account, "The Truth about the Titanic," remains a valuable historical resource.
- The letter sold for $399,000 was penned by Archibald Gracie, who not only survived the Titanic disaster but also later wrote a book titled "The Truth about the Titanic."
- Interestingly, despite being a seasoned veteran of 54 years old, Gracie's health suffered severely after the Titanic incident, leading to his demise due to complications from diabetes near the end of 1912.
- As a first-class passenger on the Titanic, Gracie was assigned cabin C51, and his letter was postmarked Queenstown, Ireland, one of the two stops the Titanic made before its tragic sinking off the coast of Newfoundland.
- In the realm of entertainment, Gracie's account of the Titanic disaster is considered one of the most detailed, first-hand accounts of the events leading up to the sinking, making it an essential historical resource.
