An emotional piece of history that survived the ship’s terrible drowning was a handwritten letter from an excited Titanic passenger that just sold for thousands of dollars.#History #Titanic #News #Washington DC
Washington, D.C.One of the passengers of the Titanic sent a happy postcard before it met its terrible end in the frigid North Atlantic, which now provides a devastating look into the life of a man who would never reach his destination. It is a unique and poignant piece of Titanic history, according to local historians in Washington, D.C.
Days before the ship sank, British businessman Richard William Smith sent the postcard from Ireland. Excited about his voyage to the United States, his words today serve as a moving reminder of the hidden tales aboard the doomed vessel. The postcard was sold for an undisclosed amount at Henry Aldridge & Son’s auction.
The Message From Smith
Smith’s straightforward yet significant remark is printed on the postcard, which was stamped on April 11, 1912. The card says, “Just leaving for the land of stars and stripes,” and it is sent to Olive Dakin, a woman in Norwich, England. The Titanic, the magnificent vessel that was meant to take Smith to America, is depicted on the card’s front. Smith could not have predicted that his journey would end tragically three days later when he wrote these lines.
Smith was on the Titanic in first class, a tea dealer with commercial interests in the United States. He had been accompanied by a family friend, Emily Nicholls, who disembarked in Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, after the Titanic made its brief stop there. The postcard is one of the few remaining artifacts from passengers who did not make it since Nicholls mailed it for Smith before departing the ship.
A Rare Piece of History Up for Auction
This rare postcard is anticipated to bring between $7,600 to $12,600 when it goes up for auction soon. The auction, hosted by Henry Aldridge & Son, is a part of their annual sale of Titanic memorabilia. Aside from the postcard, other items such as archival photographs and pocket watches belonging to Titanic victims and survivors will also be up for bidding. The uniqueness of this postcard, especially the rare Cork postmark, makes it highly desirable to collectors.
Smith s postcard stands out not only for its historical significance but also for its rare postmark. Most Titanic postcards are stamped with either the ship s own mark or one from Queenstown. However, this postcard was sent from Cork, about ten miles inland, giving it an added layer of rarity. The combination of the ship s image, the brief yet hopeful message, and the historical context has made it a treasured piece for Titanic enthusiasts and stamp collectors alike.
A Last Message From Richard William Smith
The emotional weight of this postcard is undeniable. It is one of the final messages penned by Richard William Smith before he and more than 1,500 others perished in the icy waters after the Titanic struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912. While the auction is an opportunity for collectors to own a piece of history, it also serves as a bittersweet reminder of the lives lost in one of the most tragic maritime disasters of all time.
As the postcard makes its way to auction, it brings with it the last piece of a story from a man whose journey was cut short. It s a small artifact, but for many, it holds great emotional resonance as a symbol of the Titanic s fateful voyage.
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