A lettercard from Archibald Gracie, a prominent survivor of the Titanic, sold for $399,000 (300,000 pounds) at auction. Written on April 10, 1912, to his great-uncle, Gracie expressed his initial impressions of the Titanic, stating it was “a fine ship,” but he would reserve judgment until the end of his journey. This letter, auctioned by Henry Aldridge & Son in Wiltshire, is considered the only known example from Gracie aboard the Titanic. The auction price significantly surpassed the initial estimate of 60,000 pounds.
Gracie was a first-class passenger who survived the ship’s tragic sinking after it struck an iceberg, claiming approximately 1,500 lives. He managed to escape by jumping into the water and was rescued by passengers from a lifeboat and taken aboard the R.M.S. Carpathia. Gracie later authored “The Truth about the Titanic,” providing a detailed account of his harrowing experience.
He boarded the Titanic in Southampton and occupied cabin C51 before the ship made a stop in Queenstown, Ireland. Although he survived the disaster, Gracie faced long-term health challenges from hypothermia and ultimately died from complications related to diabetes later that year.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge noted the letter’s significance, referring to it as an “exceptional museum grade piece.” The sale highlights the continued interest in Titanic memorabilia and the historical impact of its tragic maiden voyage.
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