A lettercard written by Titanic survivor Colonel Archibald Gracie sold for $399,000 at an auction, far exceeding its initial estimate of £60,000. The note, addressed to Gracie’s great-uncle on April 10, 1912, praised the ship, stating, “It is a fine ship but I shall await my journeys end before I pass judgment on her.” This letter is considered unique, being the only known correspondence from Gracie aboard the Titanic, which sank after hitting an iceberg, resulting in approximately 1,500 fatalities during its maiden voyage.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge described the letter as an “exceptional museum grade piece.” Gracie, a first-class passenger, survived the tragic event by leaping into the sea and clambering onto an overturned lifeboat, eventually being rescued by the R.M.S. Carpathia. Post-rescue, he authored “The Truth about the Titanic,” providing a detailed account of the disaster. Gracie boarded the Titanic in Southampton and occupied cabin C51. Although he survived the sinking, he struggled with hypothermia and ultimately succumbed to complications from diabetes later that year.
The letter was postmarked in Queenstown, Ireland, one of the Titanic’s final stops before its tragic fate. Gracie’s story and his literary work remain significant as they offer insight into the harrowing experience of the Titanic’s passengers, making this letter not just a piece of memorabilia but a vital part of maritime history. The auction was managed by Henry Aldridge & Son in Wiltshire, England, who facilitated the sale to a private collector from the United States.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
