A gold pocket watch awarded to the captain who rescued over 700 passengers from the Titanic disaster sold for a record $1.96 million, marking the highest price ever for Titanic memorabilia.
According to auctioneers Henry Aldridge & Son of Devizes, Wiltshire. The 18-carat gold watch, crafted by Tiffany & Co, was a gift to Captain Arthur Rostron from Madeleine Astor and two other widows of John Jacob Astor, the wealthy businessman who perished with 1,500 others during the ship’s maiden voyage in 1912.
Captain Rostron commanded the RMS Carpathia, which responded to the Titanic’s distress call, “We’ve struck ice, come at once”. Rostron immediately rerouted his vessel from its path from New York to Europe, speeding to rescue survivors amidst the floating wreckage.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge remarked that the watch symbolizes profound gratitude for Rostron’s heroic efforts, which saved 705 lives. “This sale highlights the enduring fascination with the Titanic’s tragic story,” Aldridge noted.
The timepiece, bearing the inscription, “Presented to Captain Rostron with the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of three survivors of the Titanic April 15th, 1912 Mrs. John B. Thayer, Mrs. John Jacob Astor, and Mrs. George D. Widener,” was presented to Rostron by Mrs. Astor during a commemorative lunch at her family’s New York mansion.
Gold Watch Of Captain Who Saved 700 Titanic Passengers Sells For Record Sumhttps://t.co/hhe06lzPMZ pic.twitter.com/9aB5dCbc7x
— NDTV WORLD (@NDTVWORLD) November 17, 2024This sale surpassed the previous record for Titanic memorabilia, set earlier in the year when a gold pocket watch recovered from John Jacob Astor’s body sold for $1.46 million. Another poignant artefact, the violin played as the Titanic sank, held the record for the most expensive Titanic item for 11 years after fetching $1.38 million in 2013.
