LONDON — An intriguing letter penned by Archibald Gracie, a prominent survivor from the Titanic disaster, has garnered substantial attention and was recently auctioned for an impressive 300,000 pounds, which is approximately $399,000. This unique piece of history was written onboard the ill-fated ship just days before it tragically sank.
The letter, dated April 10, 1912, was addressed to the great-uncle of the present-day seller. Gracie, a first-class passenger on the Titanic, expressed his cautious optimism about the vessel, stating: “It is a fine ship but I shall await my journeys end before I pass judgment on her.” Clearly, the letter held significant sentimental and historical value, ultimately fetching a price far beyond the initial anticipated estimate of 60,000 pounds.
The sale was facilitated by Henry Aldridge & Son, an auction house located in Wiltshire, England, and the historic missive was acquired by a private collector from the United States. According to experts, this letter may be the only surviving example of correspondence from Gracie while he was aboard the Titanic, as the ship tragically met its demise after colliding with an iceberg, claiming about 1,500 lives during its maiden voyage.
Describing the letter as a “museum-grade piece,” auctioneer Andrew Aldridge emphasized its extraordinary significance. Gracie, who managed to survive the catastrophe by leaping into the Atlantic and climbing aboard an overturned lifeboat, was later rescued by other passengers and taken aboard the R.M.S. Carpathia. Following his return to New York City, Gracie chronicled his harrowing experiences in a book titled “The Truth about the Titanic.”
Gracie’s journey with the Titanic began when he boarded the vessel in Southampton on April 10, 1912, where he resided in the first-class cabin C51. His literary work is honored as one of the most comprehensive narrations of the events surrounding the night of the Titanic’s sinking. Unfortunately, Gracie’s exhausting ordeal took a toll on his health, leading to complications from diabetes, and he passed away later that year.
The treasured letter bears a Queenstown, Ireland postmark, marking one of the Titanic’s final stops before the disaster. Ultimately, this letter serves as a haunting reminder of the ship’s brief but impactful saga, leaving a legacy that continues to fascinate to this day.